The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-02-07


he thought.
But when they seated side by side, at the
glowing fire, words did not to them easily and
Tor some time they sat in silence Finally Mr. Grey
putting his hand under his sons chin looked long
and lovingly into the boys eyes and said GLOW like
your mother you are, Don, boyl"
Don burst into passionate weeping The more
he tried to control himself, the worse he grew.
My boy my boyi" his father expostulated.
1t has been so long since you talked to me about
mamma" said Don, ''and-and-you were so seldom
yourself; and-and-I've been drunk lots times
and can never see mammals dear face again"
His father groaned he thought. eft is true
too true; he has been drunk, my boy with his moth
er's eyes" and the strong wept.
The sight of his fathers ears seemed to strengthen
Don; he sat erect wiped his eyes and said in a urn
voice, 81 have something else to tell you, father
You know little Sammie Kline?"
"Why, yes; what about Sammie?" his father ask
ed in surprised voice.
Don hung his head. give been mean to Sammie
father just as L could be- He's ALWAYS
talking about the Book-the Bible he means-and
about heaven and angels and Jesus. 1t made me
think of mamma and she seemed far away-and
you-you were not YOURSELF couldn't talk to YOU"
His father groaned, and Don had great lump in
his throat, but ne went bravely
To-day Miss May talked to me- and father.
promised to turn over a new leaf and to do better
but it will be hard!"
Mr.. Grey pacing the room before Don finished
The good In him was aroused. He not an inf
del; he believed in God and Christ The thought
that his son had gone astray while he had been be-
sotted with drink intolerabe. But how was
he to get rid of this raging thirst and the old bottle
on the mantel? He seized the bottle, and opening
the door, hurled it.nt the yard
Don ran to him, chung to him and sobbed. "In
stand by you, father; I'll watch you until the cray
lng's gone And don't grieve about me- father
despise the stuff, but I wanted to do like YOU"
Again the father groaned.
There silence for some time, then Mr. Grey
asked GLOW would you like to go West, DOM"
West? You, too; not without YOU father" His
father smiled.
"You have uncle out there your mothers
brother. He is minister. He has wanted you
some time to come to him. He will send you to
school with his own son, who is your age"
"But you? could not leave you father"
"He wants me, too. Says there is fine chance
there for one in my profession, but-but the drink
was in the way, and gave up the idea"
but now-you will conquer it ALL father and
We'll both begin anew out there"
For long time they talked, and then they went to
bed Mr. Grey could not sleep. so he went back TO
the sittingroom and paced the floor The very de-
mons of hell seemed let loose upon him. "For the
sake of my boy I must conquer must For the
sake of my boy. The boys who has his mothers
eyes!" And over and over again he repeated these
words as he paced back and forth. Finally he seiz
ed his wife's Bible and sat down to read The clock
struck three before he laid it down and crept into
bed He had read the whole of Johns Gospel and
the words of Jesus to Peter 'Lovest thou me?" rang
in his ears; and repeating Peters answer, ''Lord
thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love
thee" he fell asleep.
But oh. the awakening the next morningl He
could never forget the horror of it. or the horror of
all that black day! Don was at his bedside with
cup of black coffee. This stopped the craving
little, and then came good breakfast But soon
the terrible feeling returned with twofold power.
1t was thus Mr.. Kline. Sammie's father found
him towards noon. He had come over. hoping TO
find Mr.. Grey sober, as he wanted to have a business
transaction with him
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