St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-24
A TALE TOLD CHRISTMAS EVE.
Why One Man Never Touches Equor-A Touch.
ing Story and True One.

was Dorm and raised In a little western town
My father and family-my mother died when I
was a child, and have never married-were
proud and high-spirited, and when 1 went up
on the stage they were very much cast down.
Actors were hard and heavy drinkers in those
days and was not long an exception to the
rule. Learned to love liquor and though sell
dom helplessly drunk, was seldom sober. Of
ten have gone upon the stage not knowing
how was going to speak my lines Finally as
result of my intemperance, lost my engage
ment in the middle of the season and went
home to my father. My discharge, however,
failed to teach me o lesson, and at home was
constantly in my cups.
One afternoon was passing house near
where my father lived when Twas attracted by
a rap On the window. looked up and saw
that a lady was reckoning to me from inside.
Il opened the gate and walked up the path
to the house. The lady met me at the door, led
me into the parlor and asked me to be seated.
Wondered what her errand with me could be,
but did not have to wonder long.
Pardon my holiness she said, but you
are drinking heavily are you not?
81 told her that was.
You are at home at an unusual time of the
year. Are you out of employment
"Yes.
And whisky is the caused
eyes.
Why do you not stop drinking9 My hus-
band when I married him, was young, hand
some and promising, as you are now. Drink
has made him pitable wreck and it will do
the same for you.
Il told her that had tried to break off, but
had failed.
"'I will help you if you will let me, she said
"How?'
"'Come and live with me and I promise to
cure you
Il was under the influence of liquor at the
time, but a sudden impulse seized me and an
swered her by asking: When shall I come
You are here now she said, and you
must remain here. Take off your hat and over
coat
Il did as she commanded. We sat and talk
ed until supper was announced by one of the
lady daughters, and then I went in and ate
with the family. During the evening the
craving for liquor came upon me, and made
several excuses to get away from the house,
but all without avail. About 10 O clock my new
old friend showed me to room You will
sleep here, she said.
If you need anything during the night knock
upon the door and I will come to you. Good
night
II was weak, tired and exhausted and soon
fell into a profound sleep.
How long slept I do not know, but sud
denly 1 awoke and sat up in bed. All the liquor
1 had drank the day before had gone from me-
1 was on fire with thirst, and suffering the tor
lures of the damned. Drink must have, at all
hazards and at any cost. determined that
would get up, dress quietly and steal from the
house.
When my friend found in the morning that
1 had gone she would say that she had done
her best and would rest content.
with considerable difficulty, for was ner-
vous and trembling in every limb, 1 got out of
bed and Lit the lamp. My clothes We're gone |
Ny friend had stolen into my room while was
asleep and taken them away. With groan of
despair blew out the light and staggered back
to the bed as best I could.
"When morning came was a very sick man,
and my friend, true to her promise, nursed me
with all the tenderness and devotion of a
mother. 1t was days before I left my room,
but when did it was with the taste and desire
for drink gone forever.
'That was sixteen years ago, and during that
lips.
For sixteen years also that woman's house
has been my home, and when am absent from
her not a day passes that do not write her.
"She has made me all that am and in her
old age am striving as best can to repay in
part the deep debt of gratitude which 1 owe
her.
Friends you know now why never drink"
L.
had finished. Finally the actor said 6" A toast,
boys, to our friends gray haired guardian"
1t was drank standing and in silence.
A temperance story, say you? Yes, but a
beautiful story as well.
It SO impressed me when heard the manager
tell it.
And that is why tell it again here.
JENNIE F. WILSON.