The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-07-27
Binnsrson's Second
Reformation
by GEORGE BHErT.

Uncomfortable sobs shook John
Blnnerson's frame as he gazed at the
yet glrlish face Of the one who had
been wife, counselor, and comrade to
him for five short years.
The dying woman stirred restlessly
on the bed, then opened her eyes.
Seeing his plight, they filled with
such compassion az mother bestows
on her child in pain. Don't cry,
Dave" she urged. Stupid. I'm not
worth 1t. Bring Ed don't think
I'll last long"
Death was beyond the comprehbn-
sion of Ed, and he little understood
the farewell words or kiss He no.
ticed more particularly the grief
which shook the stalwart frame OF
his father Farewell words spoken
to the child the woman summoned all
the powers of her mind for a last
talk with her weeping husband. She
asked him TO look well after Ed, and
then urged him to beware Of gam
bling, drinking, and evil companions.
She argued and implored with him
to remain steadfast to the leading of
a clean and manly life. He hung on
her words, occasionally mutely nod
ding assent to the logic of her coun-
sell She had the clearer brain, the
stronger Will, the ability to protect
her husband from himself He had
not realized the fact but thought his
reformation was due to himself
Don't leave me-" he cried. II
cant exist without you. I owe every
thing TO you"
The face OF the little woman lit up
with pleasure at his acknowledgment
She strove to articulate a last bless
Ing on the standing pair, but fell
back
Although, until his wife's death,
Binnerson had failed to understand
the value of his wife as protector
from himself, his old-tlme friends
we'll had appreciated why he had be.
come a reformed character. They
Hooked back to Binnerson, and within
a few weeks had him. Soon he began
to drink heavily and foollshly, trying
to forget his sorrow in the excitement
OF gambling and scenes of dissipa-
tion. The memory of the death scene
gradually became dim, and In three
months time he showed every evil
dence of shortly becoming a worth.
less man.
Then an incident happened that
changed the current OF his llfe's
events--a thing so slight, impalpable.
and shadowy that for the life OF him
Binnerson could never afterwards SAT-.
isfactorily explain how II really hap
pened. He hurried to his place of
business one afternoon. and ran up
the flight of steps, at the top OF which
was his private office. He was about
to enter his room quickly when
something made him give pause. Con- 4
trolled by an indeflnable impulse he
opened the door softly In his chair
sat Ed, but he was not merely sitting
there waiting. About this little figure
there hung a look OF detection. of
woe, and sorrow. He had his head ON
his hands, and apparently was think.
ing deeply
Into the drlnk.sodden brain of Bin
nerson came sudden remorse for his
Poor little beggar," he re-
fiected. "ln his childish way he's try-
ing to think out things. He's wonder.
Ing why he's not so happy as he was
few months ago. Maybe he's figur>
Ing out what he'll become. A hard
Ilte this Is with the best OF training,
What chance will he have with me
Tor a father and guardian? Suppose
he copies my example? He's her boy
As we'll as. mine"
Perhaps for three minutes Binner.
son had hold of the knob OF the door
suddenly he let go OF 1t, but before
iolng so a heroic resolution had
aiken possession OF him. His mind
made up, he strobe heavily across the
ioor and greeted the boy with the re.
mark; Hello. Ed how'd you man.
lge to come down all by yourself?"
The boy started from his reyerie
md explained how his nurse had
brought him and would be back in
lalf an hour. His question, however,
showed what he had been thinking
bout Wont you stay home to-
light, papa? It's so lonely without
'ou, now mammals gone"
Then the telephone bell rang.
Three times Binnerson said mo" to
and then he grew angry.
You and the whole bunch can go
or all care" he shouted into the
of the phone, I'm going
o look after my youngster. home
md businass haitian In tho f,,t,,.o, >,