Durango semi-weekly herald. (Durango, Colo.) 1899-1907, 1903-11-02
HOW BILL THE BUM
MISSED A DRINK,

Buml Bum. Bum! went the big base
drum as the little band OF the Saliva
| tion Army marched to It's place In
front of saloon row. They formed in
| a semi-circle and commenced halle
lujah song, while the saloon loafers
and street ioungers began to move a
little closer up--.going 10 church.
some of them called it. The quick
time OF the music and the merry tin
kle OF the tambourine were an inspir-
alton of Joy to all who heard IL, AID
made some fee! as though they would
like to cake-waik right up the golden
, stairs. The little boy that goes for
drive about this time every even
ing. riding in little cart drawn by
well-trained dog. came chasing down
the street like he was after rabbit
and ran so close to the little band that
the ensign took double hop-step and
quick jump to get out OF the way. At
this everybody laughed,
Bill. the bum had begged quarter
from an old friend just down from the
hills and was going In to spend II.
when he paused to watch the dog
making his run. 1t took something
unusual to stop Bill when he got the
price, for his was n fiery thirst and
the more he drank tho more he want
ed, and never got enough.
The lady who sings and plays the
guitar started to sing, She has fine
strong voice and all through the sum
mer evenings crowds lined both sides
of the street to hear her.
The dog was now out OF sight and
Bill started to get his drink. but the
first two lines of the song caught his
attention and he paused.
Papa, I'm so sad and lonely,
Sobbed a weeping little child"
He moved slowly that he might hear
the next
Since dear mamma went to heaven.
Papa, you have never smiled"
Bill stopped. He was Interested
and wanted to hear more.
She Is now among the angels.
With dear Jesus on the throne;
believe that can call her
To the telephone"
BIZ came nearer. THAT woman's
got a mighty fine voice." he remarked
to man at his elbow. He had no
thought OF leaving now
Hello, Central. give me heaven,
For my mammals there;
Yon can find her in a mansion
On the golden square.
She'll be glad It's me who's speaking:
Call her to the phone,
For surely want to tell her
We're 50 sad and lone"
Old Bill moved over In the shadow
where the tears that were beginning
to show in his eyes could not be seen.
The singer continued:
When the girl received the message
She could scarcely understand,
But 1t thrilled her heart with gladness,
For she knew the better land.
| will answer Just to please her:
Yes. my dear. I'll soon be home.
Kiss your mother; kiss me, darling.
Through the telephone"
Poor old Bill was sobbing now. for
the words carried him back to time
when there was a vacant chair in his
household and there was little one
pining from lonliness Just as the little
girl in the song.
SoHs uuiShs papa they nave iouhu
her:
She's now at the telephone;
can hear the heavenly music;
Mamma says she'll soon be home.
Why do you still cry, dear papa?
Mamma knows we're all alone,
II you doubt me, come and listen
To the telephone"
This was all OF the song. and Bill
stood long In the shadow thinking
OF the other time when he was DIFF
icielt BIZ. To see him on the street
day by day you might not think he
had heart. but he has, and 1t was
touched. II only we knew how to
touch every mans heart the work or
reforming the world would be easy.
V'hen the contribution was taken
up Bill tossed his quarter onto the
drum and walked away down the
street. He went to bed that night
without his drink. Who shall say thia
was not sacrifice? Only those who
have felt the enslavement Of drink
themselves can tell how much OF q
sacrifice 1t was.