Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-04-20
Binnerson's SecoHa
Reformation
BY GEORGE BRETT.

UncontrOllaDle SODS shook john
Binnerson's frame as he gazed at the
yet girlish face Of the one who had
been wife, counselor, and comrade tc
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 as a mother bestows
on her child in pain. Don't cry,
Dave" she urged. Stupid. I'm not
worth it, Bring Ed. l don't think
I'll last long"
Death was beyond the comprehen-
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 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
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. 81
can't exist without you. l 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-time friends
well had appreciated why he had be-
come a reformed character. They
flocked back to Binnerson, and within
a few weeks had him. Soon he began
to drink heavily and foolishly, trying
to forget his sorrow in the excitement
of gambling and scenes of dissipa-
ton. The memory of the death scene
gradually became dim, and in three
months time he showed every evil
dence of shortly becoming worth
less man.
Then an incident happened that
changed the current of his lifes
events-a thing so slight, impalpable
and shadowy that for the life of him
Binners6h could never afterwards sat
isfactorily explain how it 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-
trolled by an indefnable 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 drinll-sodden brain OF Bin
nerson came sudden remorse for his
conduct Poor little beggar," he re-
Elected. 'In his childish way he's try.
ing to think out things. He's wonder
ing why he's not SO happy as he was
a few months ago. Maybe he's fgur-
ing out what he'll become. A hard
life this is with the best of training.
What chance will he have with me
for father and guardian? Suppose
he copies my example? He's her boy
as well as mine"
Perhaps for three minutes Dinner
Suddenly he let go Of it, but before
doing so a heroic resolution had
taken possession OF him. His mind
made up, he strobe heavily across the
floor and greeted the boy with the re-
mark: Hello, Ed; how'd you man.
age to come down all by yourself?"
The boy started from his reverie
and explained how his nurse had
brought him and would be back in
half an hour. His question, however,
showed what he had been thinking
about. won't you stay home to-
night, papa? It's so lonely without
you, now mammals gone"
Then the telephone bell rang.
| Three times Binnerson said "No" to
something, and then he grew angry.
"You and the whole bunch can go
for all | care" he shouted into the
mouthpiece of the phone. I'm going
| TO look after my yOupgster, home
| and business better in the future"