The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-04-03
A TEMPERANCE FANATIC.
story of the Heart-HcndinE ENPe-
rlence which Made One woman ~
Relentless Enemy Of saloons.

worth. the Temperance Fanatic. That
was before she moved strong men at
will by her peerless logic and her
wonderfully sad-sweet voice.
remember well the scene in her
sitting-room that early autumn even
ing. Two beautiful children, boy
and a girl, clung to her side as she
sat in her low willow rocker and en-
tertained me with her bright talk
while happy light played on her
face. She had married rather young
at twenty-,Iack Wentworth, free
hearted, careless fellow, two years
older. Somehow she never discov-
cred until after they were married
that Jack was fond Of his glass oc-
casionally; and when sAe did discover
ii, though il gave her little pang OF
regret she set about bravely to rem
edy the matter, with never a fear but
what she could keep her young hus-
band from his growing habit
But, like many another woman, she
failed. Jack did not care, as he once
did, to do a thing simply because It
pleased her; he wanted his own way
now, and he had il. The coming Of
the two babies stayed his downward
course for a time. but he 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.
Poor Jack was drinking heavily.
He never was really brutal TO his
family, but he seldom came home
sober, and often in surly mood.
But the poor man was not the only
one 10 blame. lie had inherited
weak will and he was sorely tempt
ed and as sorely fell.
But one night there came change.
and Jack came home sober. lie had
been to new place. About nine
o'clock. as he was going mp Union
street. he heard singing in the ST.
Paurs Methodist church, and stag
gered mp to the door. An evangelist
was holding a special meeting. The
sermon was over, and the congrega-
tion was singing hymn. As Jack
reached the door he heard them sing:
Just as I am and waiting not
To rid my soul OF one dark blot.
TO Thee whose blood can cleanse each
spot
o Lamb OF Cod I come. I GOMEZ
Up in front the evangelist and the
pastor were urging the Gospel invi-
tation without apparent success.
If you're sinner and need a
Savior. Jesus Christ can save you to-
night. Will you Gomez" pleaded the
evangelist.
"I1l GOMEZ" shouted Jack. and
down the aisle TO the plat
'orm. There was buzz and a rustic
III over the church. Some thought
ess girls giggled, and an old Pharisee
Nrowned, but the men Of God on the
platform climbed down to meet the |
,rodigal.
could He save me, mister?" asked |
lack, in q saner tone and manner. |
DO you think He could save me,
ure?'
"Sure." said the evangelist. lie
anne into the world to seek and save
he lost"
That's me, guess" said Jack 81
want Him to save me if He can do it
light of now. can't wait. I'm in
hurry. I've got to get home"
The evangelist laid one arm across
he poor fellows shoulder and spoke
o him earnestly in low tone. In a
Ioment or two they were kneeling
ide by side, and one was pouring out
is heart to God for his hayward
rother, and Jack, himself, was sober
nough to sob like child and to call
n God for mercy.
That was the beginning of a new
fe. He went into church that night
itifully drunk, but he came out
ober, and with strength and a will
eyond his own he persevered until
lere was sunshine again in the little
ONE, and Annie and the children
ad husband and a father worthy
the name.
A few months after his conversion
he "no-license" vote OF the previous
ecember went into effect, and for
nee in Lynn the law was pretty well
lfOrced. There were no really open
Iloons, and so no faring temptations.
nder the circumstances Jack found
easier 10 resist his old appetite,
hich, even now, occasionally assert
itself. But the city liked so well .
, open saloons that she voted mo" d
IT two more years. In an evil day.
lwever. the city elected a mayor g
'out whose temperance convictions
ny little was known, and under bis u
and that of his ap- a
'intee, the city marshal, rum was
Id freely and almost openly. This ?
sgusted the voters and the old, II
olish, wicked cry. IF it's going to d
sold anyway, let's have the license q
oney" was raised and carried the d
".
Mrs. Wentworth had n secret dread /,
the first day of May when the -,
oons were to be opened, but she II
ID nothing and kept up a stout 1,
art. But Jack never wavered. He q,
'od by his guns like a good sol o.
r, and so the spring slipped into !