Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-08-21

sands of young men and women swept
to destruction through the liquor traffic
until we have seen our laborers crushed
beneath the heavy hand of capital? Ev-
erything in this blessed country is sacri-
feed to greed, even our land, that
should be the home of our poor, sold to
domestic and foreign syndicatesl And
don't be deluded in yourself about pros.
perity either. Is it prosperity when the
few have millions while the multitudes
starve? tell you it is all wrong, and
our only hope is in the Prohibition
party"
Perhaps your family is source of
sorrow through some imagined evil"
ventured the preacher. when the
trouble lies at ones own door, one is apt
to become extreme"
"The Lord pity the man who is less
earnest because his own are safe" an
swered the farmer. "But I've had trou-
BILE. God only knows who's to blame
No one perhaps, for she might have
died. Our Jennie" he continued while
the tears gathered, "was as fine girl as
God ever made. She left home to sew in
the city to help pay the mortgage. 1t
was a mighty good help she was too.
By'nd by the money stopped comm, then
the letters. Of course l came and hunt
ed day and night, but never could find
her. Poor mother died broken hearted,
and was left alone"
The tears were rolling down the farm
er's checks, and the preacher listened at
tentively. Neither had noticed the
woman sewing by the window. Her
work lay on the floor; her face was as
marble. She arose to cross the room,
but fell down in a swoon. The preach
er brought water, while the farmer
raised the apparently lifeless form.
There was something in that worn face
that caused him to look intently again
and again.
"God in heaven! It's our Jennier'
Perhaps it was the mention of her
name, perhaps the effect Of the water,
but the woman opened her eyes and in a
moment said: Father, is this dream?
Tell me, are you here?"
Eyes, Jennie, it's true, but for Gods
sake what brought you to this misery?'
Her strength was coming back, and
raising her head she said: "It's not new
story, father. The preacher here has
heard many such, although at the time
thought no one had sinned as had"
"Sinned? You sinned, Jennie?'
Eyes, father, but let me tell you. got
out of work-that was when the money
stopped coming, you remember-and l
tried day after day to get another place,
but failed. Finally went to work in a
box factory. The work was hard, the
hours long and the pay hardly enough
to buy food.
Temptation came, and 1 yielded
yielded because of the kind words of the
tempter. He pretended to love me and
said we were to marry and was to have
a happy home. l believed him. Too
late found that he had deceived me.
Oh, that sin and the remorse that fol-
lowed! Ilonged for mother and home,
but how could meetyo all? How could
l embrace my loving mother or kiss the
lips of my pure sister? No, would
bear it alone! But the burden was too
heavy, and concluded to drown myself.
was afraid to die and more afraid to
live. One evening l stood looking into
the black stream, as thought, unob-
served, when suddenly l was roughly
seized and hurried into patrol wagon.
Oh, that cruel ride! Exposed to the gaze
of multitudes, hooted at by boys, then
thrown into police station where
were all sorts of criminals. From that
day had not a single ray of hope
nothing but despair. Finally married
Jim, drunkard, but as good as gold
when he was sober. But the curse had
fastened upon him in boyhood, and he
was powerless to free himself. He died
two years ago."
Here she broke down and sobbed.
"Poor Jim! loved him, and love him
still, for he knew my sin and was kind.
sold all we had to pay the doctor
and to bury him decently. So here l am,
working early and late. l make enough
to pay the rent and buy bread, and Ned
helps me, the dear child"
The preacher took his hat, saying, "rll
call again"
"Call at Sharp's Corners if you want
to see Jennie. She's a-goin back with
me to share the home she helped to
save"
Two months later.
Without, cold and storm. Within,
great logs piled upon the fire, Mother,
in the generously cushioned rocker, knits
and thinks and rests. Grandpa, in his
armchair, deeply absorbed in one of
his Prohibition papers. Two children,
"clothed in scarlet" as it were, popping
corn at the fireplace.
"Say, Jennie, what are you thinkin
'bout?" asked Ned as his sister, forget
ting to shake the pepper, was burning
the corn.
81 was just wishin everybody were
Prohibitionist, so everybody'd be glad