The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-12-08
OUR NEIGHB0R.
By LIZZIE HUNT.

kioi.y, weather-beaten face, sad eyes,
that looked at you as if the world had
dealt harshly or unjustly with him.
The drawn corners OF his sensitive
mouth gave to his face an expression
Of disgust. whether with himself or the
world we will leave our readers 10
judge.
His clothes bespoke neither extreme
poverty, nor superabundance OF this
worlds goods.
He was only master builder, boss
carpenter, or anything else that the
community in which he lived might
call the person who superintended the
erection of buildings, either public OF
private. Was he young? Oh. no! For
ty-fve or sixty. perhaps. but appearing
even older. Had he q home! YES;
the little cottage jpust across the way
Is his, or one he rents. Fifteen years
ago he owned the beautiful residence
on the corner of College avenue and
Third street, he was then the proud,
and happy father Of five rollicklng.
fun-loving boys. In one week -FOUR OF
them were carried to their graves. VIC
Tins of one of the most fatal diseases
for children-scarlet fever.
Carl, the most delicate OF the hve.
rallied, and is now twenty-five or
three. Since that time there have
been two little daughters given him.
They are the pride Of this ever-indui-
gent father.
His wife is one OF the very best OF
women. Always ready in case OF lie
ness, and seems to know just what 20
DO for the relief of the sufferer.
Oh. how many fever-tossed, weary
and languid ones still live to bless her
for her deeds of charity and nobleness
Of heart! She is one Of those women
Solomon speaks Ola Grown OF glory
to her husband" How she tolls, do
ing all the household work, the sew
ing, and having the entire care z
her children.
Often weary, but never complaining.
her good, wholesome, mOtherly face
brings sunshine with it always. With
all this economy, if it be called econ
cmy to SO overtax the mother, why do
they live SO humbly? Who has Their
former home? Was it sold for debt;
OF was the poor man unfortunate In
business? Neither. He drank 1t up.
Just a glass now and then, he was SO
exposed to the cold, something to keep
him warm. The wife saw, but never
. bitter word. They moved from one
tenement to another. The furniture
grew less. Clothing became old and
worn. At last the husband rambled
home with Keeling. unsteady steps.
The last baby that came had no dain-
tv baby garments. only little night
slip, and coarse flannel to wrap 1t in.
The son came in and stood by his
mothers bedside-a thin, pale-faced
youth Of fourteen.
Mother" said he, with a happy
Night in his boyish eyes: Il have a
place in a store. l can't earn much
1t first. but. oh, am SO glad! Now
you shall soon be we'll and strong
again. See, Mr.. Morse has advanced
ne half a months wages. and bought
. chicken for you, some good wine and
crackers
and what Is in that bundle, my
SON." asked the feeble mother.
He threw the package on the bed.
1T is q little soft flannel for baby"
"Oh, my noble SOM" and the tears
Tained down her pale cheeks.
That evening, as the children sat
eating some cold baked beans, all the
food there was in the house, the father
came in. They looked up, startled, at
lrst. because, 70 rare now, hs was
sober. He asked:
Where is support"
Father. this is all there u.s." was
the answer, "only what Carl brought
mother"
The man sat down in chair, bowed
his head in his hands, and wept like
. child. It is painful to see q big |
MAn SO weep. The children were
frightened. The wife called softly:
william, come here"
He arose, and, with feeble steps, en-
tered the little bedroom.
'Oh. Sarah. has it come to this? Why
haven't you reproached me, turned me
out-anything to have aroused with
N me a sense of shame?'
Dear William, l knew that your
manhood would reassert itself. l have
never for an hour ceased to pray for
your reform"
Well" said the new humtled hus-
band and father, from this night I
will leave the cup. My children shall
never again blush for their father. We
will have a home once more, my poor,
long suffering, patient wife,