The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-01-10
The Turning Point.


and among its passengers were two
young and handsome men. who had
met on the cars by chance. but who
had been intimate friends at school
aud college. and who we're intimate
friends still. If one might Judge by
tho fervor of their greeting and the
earnest manner In which they con-
Versed. without taking the least notice
OF any person around them.
At last the elder Of the two. a tall,
dark. young man. with large, dark
eyes and Jet black hair and whiskers.
arose from his seat, took his travelling
bag from the rack and began to shake
the dust from hts coat and to wipe 1t
from his face with a cambria handker-
chief. as II his journey was drawing
near It's end.
Then you are sure that you won't
come with me. Harry" he asked,
looking anxiously into the fair. frank
face of his companion.
Il cannot" was the low reply
well, at least remember what /
have been saying to you today. Give
il up, Harry-the drinking, gam
bling, the folly of all kinds. Begin to
save your money instead of spending
IL all, as you do now, and as I used to
do. and In three years, or perhaps
sooner yet, you may be travelling this
way or some other way, bound on my
present errand, with a neat little home
and a dear little wife waiting for you
at the journeys end It is worth far
more than all the rest, my boy. l
know, for I've tried both ways"
why what nonsense it is to talk
to me about saving, George! Look
there" cried Moore. He drew out his
pOcketbook. In one compartment
nestled a ten-dollar greenback. In
The other were two one-dollar bills In
a third, little crumpled roll OF cur
rency, and in the fourth, a tiny case
Alled with postage stamps.
Behold my worldly wealth." said
ne, In a mocking tone. There is all
have before the next quarters salary
Is paid. And while live in New York,
l. must spend the whole of my salary.
I cannot save it. Expenses are too
high"
Then do as I did" said his friend.
Il found the temptations and expenses
Of New York life too much for me. |
could not save, and what was worse.
found that I was giving way more
and more to the habit which I want
you to leave off, Henry. gave up my
place add went to yonder little town,
wherein an uncle of mine lived.
stated my case to him. He helped me.
He got me a situation in the leading
store here, he took me to board at his
house and watched over me like
father till cared no more for drink.
After that, it was easy enough to save,
Henry, and I soon worked my way
zap to home and happiness. Oddly
enough, started with only ten dollars
in my purse. But was far worse
than you are Cannot you get some
thing to do in some quiet, country
place like this, where you will be kept
out of temptation as l was? Try 1t,
old boy. Write to me a month hence
and if you have not found the place
and the people to cure you by that
time, I'll find them for you. Is that
a bargain?"
Eyes" said Henry Moore. speaking
on the impulse of the moment.
They parted. Henry Moore watched
ais friend as he stepped into waiting
carriage at the station, and drove
away to meet his bride upon his we'd
ding night. Then, as the train steamed
slowly off again, he thrust his pocket
book back into the breast of his coat,
and leaning his cheek upon his hand,
gazed moodily out upon the flying
meadows and forests, while he unused
upon his schoolfellow' happy fate.
@The last time I saw him, he had
been drinking heavily nearly all
through the night" he thought,
Gambling, too, and losing. His face
looked purple and flushed; his eyes
were heavy and dull; his cheeks were
blOated; his hand shook like the hand
OF an old man. How different now
He is as handsome and fresh-colored
as he was in his boyhood. He is eager
alert, full of life, hope and happiness
While +" heavy sigh finished the
reflection.
The train sped on. The young mar
lost in painful memory of misspent
hours, still leaned his forehead against
the window frame, gazing on all thai
passed before him as if he saw it not
Suddenly, as the train decreased its
speed again. and the warning bell be
gan to ring, a tableau flashed befor,
his eyes that reused him in a moment