Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-11-26

which 10 gamble, and vel. Ii: the very
next room Mrs. Hardy knelt in ansago-
ny of petition for that f1rstborn, crying
out OF hersheart: .uz FL 81" 4
20 God. it Is more than Il can bear!
70 see him growing away from me so!
Dear Lord, be thou merciful to. me-
Bring him back again to the life he
used to- live!s Howeproud Twas of him!
What a joy he was; to me! And now.
and now! o gracious Father, IL thou
art truly conn ssionate, hear me! Has
not this four demon Of drink done harm
enough? That it should still come into
my home! All, but have been indif'
zferent to the cries Of other women, but
now it strikes me! Spare me, great and
powerful Almighty! My boy! my hearts
him dead than see him as saw him
last night. Spare me! spare me, o
God!"
Thus the mother prayed, dry eyed
and almost despairing, while he for
whom she prayed that heartbroken
prayer calculated, with growing cold
ness Of mind. the chances Of getting
more money from his father to use In
drink and at the gaming table.
o appetite, and thou spirit Of gam
bling! Ye are twin demons with whom
many fair proved young soul today
is marching arm in arm down the
dread pavement of helps vestibule,
lined with grinning skeletons Of past
victims, and yet men gravely discuss
the probability Of evil and think there
Is no special danger in q little specula
ton now and then.
Parents say, "Oh, my boy wouldn't
do such thing" But how many know
really and truly what their boy is real
~ doing, and how many of the young
men would dare reveal to their moth.
ers or fathers the places where they
have been and the amusements they
have tasted and the things for which
they have spent their money?
=
Mr.. Hardy went at once to his neigh
bors, the Caxtons, who lived only a
block away. He had not been on speak
ing terms with the family for some
time, and he dreaded the interview
with the sensitive dread of very
proud and stern willed man. But two
days had made great change in him.
He was a new man in Christ Jesus,
and as he rang the bell be prayed for
wisdom and humility.
James himself came to the door with
his overcoat on and hat in hand. evil
IDENTIFY just ready to go down town
He started back at seeing Mr.. Hardy.
"Are you going Gown town? l will
not come in then, but walk along with
you said Mr.. Hardy quietly.
So James came out, and the two
walked along together. There was ar
awkward pause for minute; then Mr.
Hardy said:
James. is it true that you and Clar&
are engaged"
'No, sir; that-is-not exactly wha
you might call engaged. We woult
like to be-"
Mr.. Hardy smiled in spite Of him
self, and James added in a quickenet
tone. I'VE would like to be, with you
consent. SIR
Mr.. Hardy walked on thoughtful.
and then glanced at the young man a
his side. he was feet tall. not yer,
handsome, as Bessie had frankly said
but he had a good face, q steady, clea
blue eye and resolute air, as of on
who was willing to work hard to &c
what he wanted. Mr.. Hardy could no
help contrasting him with his owl
prematurely broken down son George
and he groaned inwardly as he though
of the foolish pride that would bar til
doors Of his family to young ma
like James Caxton simply because b
was poor and because his father ha
won in contested election in whic
the two older men were candidates 70
the same Office.
1t did not take long to think all this
Then he said. looking again at tn
young man with businesslike i>ok:
'Supposing you had my permission
what are your prospects for support