The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-07
KANSAS. COMNENT
A LESSON FROM LIFE.


some weeks ago a citizen OF over
prook closed his early ca reer. He had
porne prominent part in the life OF
the town from it's beginning; he was a
man of ability; he was a man of edu-
cation; he was man of skill in his
calilng; he was genial man and had
many friendS-but his life fell short IN
years what it should have reached. his
ability, education and skill did not carry
MIN to the height of which he was
worthy, his friends sometimes found 1t
necessary to make excuses for his con-
duct, all because of his habit of drink
ing to excess.
1t seems proper to the editor of this
paper, while the story of this mans
life is still fresh in this community, not
with malice, but for the benefit, for the
warning of the young men and boys.
to say this mans experience is almost
universally the experience of those who
commence to drink-it shortens their
lives, it cripples them in ability, 1t
loses them friends, 1t saddens their
homes.
Thousands-yes, tens of thousands
have thought they could drink a little
and not become drunkards, and have
found to their sorrow that they were
miStaken-they could not stop. Once
in a great while a drinking man is seen
who never drinks to excess. The
grandson of one such, a man who once
had been drunkard, but who, by the
grace of God, had led a sober life for
years, said to the writer: My grand
father was a drinker all his life, bur
never got drunk; my father fought the
appetite for liquor all his life. but
never drank, and have had lifelong
fight of it,
Young men, old men, even if you be
one of the very few who drink without
getting drunk, would you wish to leave
such legacy to your children and
grandchildren as that moderate drink
er left?
Boys, did you ever hear of a man
a ard NH, lon h.
first drink? You are always safe from
drink if you never touch the intoxi-
eating cup. Let it alone, one and all.
old and young!-overbrook Citizen.
GOOD WORD FOR BOTKIN.
We note that some of the old timers
have started a small boom for Rev. J.
ID. Botktn of Winfield for governor on
the next Democratic ticket. Botkin
has made great sacrifice for the cause
OF reform and has made more good
speeches in Kansas than any man liv-
ing There does ont appear to be much
glory for man to run on the Demo-
cratic ticket in Kansas, but we are
hitched up on the political business in
such way that we will vote for j. D.
Botkin on the Democratic ticket or
any other ticket that he wants to run.
Since there will be no Populist party
next year. that is in all
probability, we feel no special concern
about party success. but the nominal
ton of Botkin would put new political
life and new hope in the editor of the
Free Press. Count us for Botkin for
governor, or anything else that he
Free Press.
ANOTHER JOKE.
A young man at Charleston. ILL.,,
that it would be very funny to
scare his betrothed by leveling an
empty shotgun at her. He did SO. The
gun was only comparatively empty.
The unfortunate woman's funeral oc-
CURED on Tuesday.
. 1t is generally regretted that the
Fool Killer was unable to visit Charles
ton. He had to respond to an emer-
gency call from Kentucky where a man
was in great agony A humorous
friend had dopeds his medicine with
reosote.-Emporia Gazette.
RETRIBUTION. -
Once in a while Judgment overtakes
a man sooner than he expects. A
farmer at Westmoreland, while riding
a horse, became angry at the animal
and struck him over the head with the
steel end of his heavy whip. The ami
head WAS crushed and 10 rearpd