Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-11-15

(Continued from last week. }

nave been long in the service is re-
plete with incidents, both humorous
and pathetic, all of which have
their places and doubtless serve
some wise purpose, for 1t Is hard to
believe that any of the events of our
lives are altogether purposeless. l
Eecall at this moment one of those
affecting things which occurred dur
ing the earlier years of my minis
Ey; a lady, member Of a sister
church, who was the mother of two
beautiful little girls came to our
house one day and with tears
streaming down her face begged me
10 interest myself in her hIsband,
who had taken to drinking. The
habit had so fastened itself upon
him that its baleful effects wore al
ready visible, and she feared it
become a helpless victim to It's de-
stroying power. They were well to
do people; the husband was one of
the prominent business men OF the
town and the wife was highly es-
teemed in the social and religious
circles of the place. 1t was no won
der, therefore, that the poor woman
was crushed under the blighting
curse which had fallen upon them.
Hn IT. ~.
aot something you can do to save
my hGsband?, he likes you and
feel sure you can help him."
"You may depend upon it, will
do everything in my power to help
him." replied, Il will see him at
once"
Immediately went over to his
place of business and began social
chat with him on the news OF the
day, but carefully avoided any ref
erence to the subject nearest my
heart. These calls were continued
for several days and were pleasant
occasions to both of us. Finally
carefully broached the subject which
vas uppermost in my mind, and,
knowing him to be sensitive touch
ing things of so personal nature,
as Is only natural to all of us,
cautiously felt my way to his heart,
encouraged to find in him a ready
and acqliescent listener. II was
much easier than had feared 1t
would be. I talked with him about
his devoted wife and the two beau
tiful little girls, about the fine. rec
ord he had made while In the army,
also his success In business and the
prospects before him, and then !
tried to make clear to him the awful
consequences Of blasted life upon
ais family as well as himself. When
i ceased speaking he was crying like
q child; he was much affected and
spoke In very tender words. of his
wife and children. Then l said:
"a Tom. have proposition to
make you; / don't know how it will
strike you, but as an old comrade
and friend I am going to take the
liberty to state il. My proposal is
that you draw up paper pledging
both OF us to abstain from the use
of liquor for one year, what do you
say" After pondering over II for
some little time he said, with a
sook of determination on his face:
"Mr. Green, will do 1t, and God
helping me | will keep II. You can
draw up the paper right here and
now, and we will both sign it,"
This was promptly done and the
paper was carefully laid away in his
safe. l then went out and told a
few of his friends what we had done,
and requested them to drop into his
place OF business occasionally and
have chat with him. carefully
avoiding any reference to the drink
habit in a general way. called in
every few days at first and did what
could to brace him p. The re-
suit was all we had hoped for, he
kept his promise, His business