The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-05-21

my head. Stones in the hard road cut
my feet, so put his boots on"
We'll little chap" said the man
who had Jim in his arms, putting
him upon his feet, 81 see you've got
hard lines Of It. Go home and tell
your father to knock off his drink
for week, and get you a proper pair
Of boots"
The child laughed now in his turn,
but he did not explain why he did So
nor did anybody ask him why, They
understood that laugh, for it was with
out merriment, and they knew as well
as the child how improbable 1t was
that a man given to drink would list
en- to any appeal but that of his awful
craving. Little Jim, with the remains
of one biscuit in his hand and the
other Rugged to his breast. went out
of the public house, with his big boots
lslouching and swinging about his ten
der little feet, and the men went back
to their beer
And who is this that has listened
with bitter shame to all that passed,
covering behind the newspaper to
hide his burning cheeks? Simon Tan.
ner, the idle, dissolute drunkard, the
father of little Jim.
Yes. it was his own child who, un-
conscious Of the full depth of the in
EQUITY Of the story he was telling,
had laid bare his shame to strangers.
The child, even with closed lips, was
silent witness against him; his
tongue had given such confirmation
that none could doubt. Even Mr.. Boun-
Ger. who was, Of course, a sturdy de-
fender Of the theory Of strong drinks
being beneficial, was compelled to adj
nit that in this case 1t would be bet
ter if the father, whoever he was, took
little less.
"All can say is, said the man who
had paid for the first biscuit, that
would not stand in that mans shoes
for mint Of money"
"And how do you know you won't
one day." cried Simon Tanner, spring
ing to his feet and glazing at him
with sudden fury. do you think was
always a drunkard? was once as good
man as you, II not better, and it's
the drink that's brought me down"
so you are the father Of that boy
said the mana nice fellow you must
beH
Yes, I am" replied Simon; "and
don't you go calling me hard names,
for your turn may come. and the turn
Of all of you, and if the drink does
get hold Of you, then you will under
stand Why that poor little chap was
driven to do what he did That land
lord there knows me, and he knows
spend every penny ! earn in this
house; and yet this morning when
/ wanted him TO trust me one pint
he said NO. He even jeered at me
And warned me not to get put on the
Black List. Ny word, I'll take his adj
vice In a way he won't like"
"You always had beer for your
nDney" Mr. Bouncer interrupted,
'and there's no reason why I should
give It to you for nothing"
II suppose not replied simon;
you've got the law and prejudice on
your side, and there's everything
AGAINST me; but I'm not going
10 be beaten. Ny child las
put new spirit into ne to-
day and In tell you what I'm going
to do. and that Is, BY Gods help fil
never touch drink again. Do you hearY
Never touch It againl And when I'm
a decent man ri come again here
and stand outside and tell the people
my story
III you come here and make dis
turbance said Mr. Bouncer, loitiiy
~l1l have you locked up
Il shan't make any disturbance"
returned Simon. IS he moved towards
fhe door: there'li be no need to do
that. Tho very look OF drunken Sim
on. as I'm called. in good clothes
win be enough to set people thinking.
and II any OF them chose 70 ask me a