The Oskaloosa herald., 1903-01-15
THE RIGHT WORD AT THE RIGHT
TIME.

burlington Hawkeye: 1t is impos-
sible to correctly value a good word
spoken under tavortng conditions.
An illustrative incident is related in
he experience of Hon. John MahiD,
the veteran editor and publisher of
the Muscatine Journal, whose sturdy
antagonism to the liquor traffic and
the drink habit is of more than state
wide knowledge. Some fifteen years
ago, travelling upon a trip from Mus
catine to Kansas City, Mr.. Mahin en-
tered the lavatory of the sleeper as
the train approached the latter city.
Hanging upon the wall was the coat
of a young man from West Virginia.
In the pocket was a flask of liquor.
The West Virginian, an intelligent
manly appearing fellow, co%urteously
offered Mr.. Mahin a drink, which of
course, was declined. When their
toilets were completed and they were
again seated in the coach, near each
other, Mr.. Mahin, attracted by the
young mans gentlemanly bearing,
ventured a kindly word of admonition
against the practice of using intoxicat-
ing beverages. THAT is what my
mother has been telling me-" said the
young man.
"And where will you find in all the
world any n more deeply interested
in your welfare, one who loves you
more d~evotedly, than your mother?"
inquired Mr.. Mahin.
"Tnat is true" responded the vir-
ginian in recognition of the kindly in
tent of the advice of the older man,
"and the young lady to whom l am
paying attention has also given me
the same advice"
Then you have the most powerful
of all motives for breaking away from
the habit" said Mr.. Mahin, "and let
me urge upon you the Importance of
such a course and its influence upon
your future career" and a converse
ton ensued in which the young mar
promised to abandon the dring habit"
Three weeks later Mr.. Mahin was
travelling over the same road on a
train from Kansas City and was &C
costed by the West Virginian, who
recognized him. g" have kept my
PROMISE" said the young man. 81
was visiting an uncle in Kansas City.
There was a social gathering at his
house at which wine was served. All
partook but myself. Afterwards my
uncle, who use beverages, commend
ed me for declining; SO you see I had
not lowered myself in his esteem by
refusing to drink"
Firteen years rolled by and the
Christmas-tide of 1902 was approach
ing. One day there came to the resi-
dence of Mrs. John Mahin at Musca-
tine an express package from Chicago.
1t contained a beautiful mantel clock,
and with it a note recalling the cir
cumstance on the train which we have
related. 1t was from the West Vir-
ginian, now a successful western man
ager of a large manufacturing indus
try in the east. He had steadfastly
adhered to the promise he had made
to her husband fifteen years ago and
in grateful remembrance asked the &C
ceptance of a memenLo to mark a
kindly deed that affected a turning
point in his life.
The incident reveals its Owl moral.
1t is found not only in the wisdom and
frmness of purpose of the young West
Virginia that made a mar of him, but
in the kind and discreet counsel given
him by one whose advice was not in
trusive, but was none the less honest,
earnest and effective. Too few people
realize how great a good may be
achieved by a kindly word uttered in
the right spirit and at the right time.