The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-03-29
w. T.U. COLUMN.



wife; he was always looking for an
easy way to earn his daily bread,
and when his only child, son, was
ten years cd, he was keeping a sa-
loon in thriving town. His good
wife Martha was bewildered. She
hated the business, but when she
could not persuade Robert to let it
alone, she did not know what to do
next only to bear it as patiently as
she could. Little Robert-named
after the father-did not like the
saloon business either. The school
children said to him, 'Your father
keeps a saloon" TITLED him with
shame and anger and sorrow. He
never talked with mother, she cried
50 much; and so his dog Carlo was
made his confident. He told Carlo
why he never ran and played with
the other boys, why he went to and
from school always by himself.
The woodshed, where he prepared
the daily fuel, was the place he con-
fided to his canine friend and play
fellow.
The boy had finished the wood
chopping and splitting, and remov-
ed his working blouse and putting
on his little coat trim and neat he
was resting himself with his arm
about Carlo and his head pillowed
on the dogs shoulder. He was
saying to the dog, "My papa must
not keep a saloon; | will ask God
in some way to stop him" Just
then Robert heard mother calling
and he hurried in to see what she
wanted. A visitor had come. A
strange lady, with very gentle,
smiling face; she was putting out
out her hand to him "And this is
your son, Robert, Mrs. Brown?
| am sure he is just the boy | need
to finish my class, and he looks like
such a good boy am sure he will
help me-" And the lady, Mrs.
Reformer, drew him to her side,
showing him a little silver medal
and pointed out to him the words
engraved on it, "Salovns must 60"
1t made Robert turn pale and catch
his breath, but he did not lose self
control, and after she had also read
him the selection which he was to
recite, and fully explained il
all, waited for the boys answer. 81
will try if mother thinks | can; !
want to try very much. Mrs. Re-
( f,rmer did not quite understand the
reason of the boys ready acquies-
ence to her wishes then-she was a
little mystified about it. A new
light seemed 10 shine in the face ol
the boy and his mother, it was the
light Of hope for better days. Mrs.
Reformer, in telling her co-workers
about the success of her visit, said
"they both seemed so glad Of the
chance. !"
The loci newspaper said w. c.
|T. u. medal contest in the Metho-
dist church, Saturday evening next.
The whole town was aroused. Very
few had any idea what that could
be, but every one determined to 90
Ten cents admission, and not above
half a dozen persons felt as il it was
doubtful whether they could find
the necessary dime. And loving
providence fund ways in which
these persons could be helpful and
earn the necessary amount. Mrs
Reformer had charge OF the program
and it had all worked out smoothly
$50 far. The crowded house had
largely applauded, wept and smiled,
as the youthful orators one by one
recited in their turn.
We now come to the closing piece
lin the contest, No. q. "I'll take
what father takes The boy walk
ed slowly out to the platform, and
with pale face and trembling voice,
but distinct uiterance, began his
lesson. To the merriment Of the
little people, Carlo rushed to his
side. The boy put his hand caress-
Iingly on the shaggy coat and whis-
pered in his ear, and the dog be-
came quiet, locking out upon the
audience as if he, TOO, had part in
the play. The boys heart was ir
his task; he was certainly doing his
best, and his eyes would rest on a
good looking. welldressed man, bu,
with shamcd-faced expression
about him that was apparent aside
from his intense interest in the
whole proceedings. The boy fin
Iished, the man arose and met the
boy on his return to his seat, hall
way up the aisle; taking his hand
Ihe led him back to the platform
a fter n moments waiting he said