The Press., 1896-04-16
w. C. T. U.
An Answered Prayer.
BY HOPE DARING.


 room in home on R street. Bptwepr the Fortieres glimpse of the breakfast table from which the family had just riser could be seen, carefully appointed table with shining silver, delicately tinted china n hot-house flowers.
 In the room where the Rays were assem-. bled an open coal fire danced. Costly pictures and rae bits of bric-a- -brac gave an airt taste and refinement to the apart ment, an air which the appearance of the family carried out.
 They were kneeling at family worship. The father, a stalwart man in the prime of life, prayed earnestly, 70 Father i1 Heaven,1 beseech thee, save the boys ol our land" Then as if in framing the sen- tence deeper realization of importance had come to him he repeated, Save the boys, for Christ's sake"
 At his side knelt his wife. Her heart, filled with love for her dear son, went out to the thousands of mothers of the land many of whom were anxious and grieved over their children, so with quivering lip and shining la5hes sle repeated, Save the boys"
 Near her mother kneltthe only daughter of that home, Helen, a beautiful blonde of eighteen. She thought, not so much of her brother, although devoted sister as of another who was often at her side.
 Again she heard the low caressing voice, again the blood l9aped quick trough her veins as she met the gaze of the frank brown eyes. Even in her sheltered life she had heard of the temptations that come to young men and Helen bowed her golden head lower and echoed, Save the l boys." The other occupant of the room was Tom, the only son. Listening to his fathers fervent words, catching the gleam of his mothers tears, he recalled how, a week ago he had seen his friend, Frank Sut on, carried unconscious from the room at club supper Tom wondered, both then andnow how Frank could so far forget to be gentleman. As for himself why, his head had ached the next day, that was all. But utremembering his mothers tears, Tom repeated mechanically, think ing meantime of Frank, Save the boys |"
 When prayers were over they rose to go their separate ways until lunch time.
 How did each one go about answtr:ny, with Gods h"lp, the prayer just offered?
 MT. Ray hurried down town through the invig )rating winter air First, there was meeting with political friends At it's close this husband and father handed the chairman of the committee three crisp ten dollar bills an said
 "Use this to control the saloon element in th' thir warI. A lttleju icious treat ing there and we are sure uf carrying tht. day.
 Then he bowedout his visitors and don n ng cap and Ov,.rcOat Set out to attend meeting Of the stock holders of d brewing company. He presided oyer the meeting and succeeded in carrying a motion which provided for the increase of the working capacity ofthe company. Wine was served. As our friend leaned back in his luxurious chair and slipped the sparkling amber bev- craze he said to himself, "A good morn- ing's work done."
 Meanwhile, the mother, after kissing her husband and children, went down stairs 10 confer with the cook
 I've shall have guests for dinner, Sarah," she said. "I am particularly anx- ious about the pudding Twill come down and make the brandy sauce myself Where is Thomas?"
 ''In the pantry, ma'am."
 'Please send him to me. want to be sure he understands about the wine for to- night"
 Helen after donning pretty street suit took downtown car. She had embroid- | cry silk and ribbon to match, and she must have new gloves for evening" As she walked briskly along she encountered a tall fine-looking young man. The rose r. on Helen's cheek deepened as he | turned to accompany her down the street.
 "I shall see you at Miss Noble's to- morrow evening"" she asked expectantly.
 "1-l think not It is a card party, and you know I never play"
 Helen shook her head. ''I won't say a word about playing, but I shall be dis appointed, fOr"-she stopped abruptly as she It alzed how much she was saving. The manly face of Harold ryceglowed. Don't take it back" he pleaded. "I will be there. l would go anywhere for you, Helen."
 A moment later they parted, sheto muse over the joy her words had brought to her companions face, and he to try to forget the promise made to his dying mother a year ago, a promise that he would never touch cards.
 As for Tom, he spent part of each forenoon at his fathers office. On the way down he stopped for box of cigar ettes- Then he met young friend and they had game of billiards, the loser paying for the beer.
 That was five years ago. The prayer of the family is answered. The only son ills drunkards grave. This is not in answer to the prayer their lips fashioned into God, but the result of the one their ives offered up to society.
 The breath of chronic catarrh patient s often so offensive that he becomes an object of disgust. After time alteration