The Taney County republican., 1902-06-26
S "
A TEMPERANCE FANATIC.
story of the nenrt-RcndIng Erpc-
rIrncr which Made One Woman =
Hci.nticss Enemy Of saloons.

have Just returned from the most |
remarkable temperance meeting ever
attended. have just listened to the |
most remarkable temperance address
ever delivered The speaker was y
woman that knew five years and
more ago ns u frail, diilident creature,
but with lofty spirit and passionate
earnesiness. In fact, it was just five
years ago tonight that ] sat with
her in ncr modest sitting-room in
East Lynn. when the great tragedy OF
her life reached its climax. That was
before she was known as Mrs. Went
worth, the Temperance Fanatic. That
was before she moved strong men nt
will by her peerless logic and her
wonderfully sad-swcc' voice.
| remember well the scene in her
sittng-room that early autumn even
ing. Two beautiful children, n boy
and girl clung to her side as she
sat in her low willow rocker and en-
icrtainrd me with her bright talk
while Il happy light played "n her
face. She had married rather young
at twcnty-Iack Wentworth, free
hearted. careless fellow. tw" years
Older. Somehow she never discoy.
cred until after they were married
thnt Jack was fond ~ his glass oc-
ra,ionally; and when she did discover
it. though II gave her little pang 80
regret she set about braycly 10 rem
cdy the matter. with never fear bn'
what She could keep her young hus'
unnd from his growing habit,
Fat. like many another woman. she
failed Jack did not care. as he once
did. to do tl,ing simply because !,
plrascd her; he wanted his own way
now, and he had it. The coming nf
The two babies stayed hi, downward
course for time, but be was soon
drinking harder than ever.
The little home, once so happy
showed traces of the pinching fingers
Of. poverty. Often there was very
little To eat, and in the cold days of
winter sometimes no fuel for the
Kitchen stove.
II was all too true N.Ncrmore the
Illlf ltfN NuNlAA VIZ i'N' -
nor the merry voice make sweet music.
The feet were quic, forever, and the
music Of her voice was quiet in death.
But one night there came n change,
md Jack came home sober. He Ind
been to new place. About nine
o'clock. as he was going up Union
street. he heard singing in the st.
Pnul'S Methodist church. and stag
rcrcd M To the door. An evangelist
was holding special meeting. The
sermon was over, and the congrcga'
tion was singing hymn. AS Jack
reached the door he heard them sing:
Just as | am. and waiting no,
TO rid my soul OF one dark blot
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each
spot
o Lamb OF God. come, come
t'p in front the evangelist and The
pastor were urging the Gospel inyi'
,ation without apparent success.
III you're u sinner and need
Savior, Jesus Christ can save you TO
night. win you Gomez" pleaded tn,
evangelist.
"Tl come" shouted Jack. ant
u,,.,h.d dnvp the oisle Ia the Mat,
r".,., T,,r, ,,,s A., hu,y opd n rus,l,
IN a..r ,h, chrr,., Som, tbouybt
To-. ,,ir,, ciccl.d nrd nm old phorise
frnwned. but the men Of God on the
platform climbed down To meet tn,
nrodigoI
"Cn,Id n. s,yc m. mistcro" nskc,
,,,L In , .nncr ,ont nnd manner
"no v,u ,bink He could soyc me
.sur, ~
"sur." sniJ the evangelist. II,
oom. into the world to seek and say,
,hn Ios,"
.Th,,,s mo 7 guess" " so;d lack Z"
want Him 10 save me IL lie can do 3
,,r.h, an now cnp,, whit I'm !.
ahnrry ryo IN, IN ,., home"