The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-01-28

to the Northwest.
When leaving the old home
town, l had no particular place in
view as my future abode. When l
found that my mileage would just
carry me to c., | decided this
Jould suit me as we'll as anywhere
else. Now, during my trip there [
got to thinking of how l had been a
failure in the past and decided once
again that it was time l made new
effort to lead an honest and sober
existence. On arrival at my destina-
ton, L sought a private boarding
house where I could have home pre-
vileges and where there were child
ren; for although l had sunk pretty
low. still [ had passionate fond
ness for children and was always
able to win their confidence and
friendship.
After few hours search. l found
what l decided would be an ideal
place with a widow woman, Mrs.
W, who had small family, two
of whom were little girls of eight
and ten years respectively. AS the
terms were within the reach of my
modest purse, l Immediately pro-
ceeded to have my effects sent up
and then set out again. this time in
search of employment. | was lucky;
for the second concern | called on,
quite willingly, consented to give
me trial as city salesman for
their line with which | was un.
familiar. Still, | was quite con-
fident | could make big success in
handling it; and | fully believe that
it was my own self f-confdence that
secured ME the position.
There was one thing l found out
before had been boarding at Mrs.
W's- week both she and the
children had an intense horror of
liquor in all forms. From what l
could gather it was drink that caused
Mr.. W's- death. So being aware
of this, took particular pains to
kill or cover up the fumes, either on
my breath or in my actions; for there
had sprung up strong friendship
between the little girls and myself.
In fact one might say it almost
to affection.
We'll, things went along very
nicely for about two months, and
then l got one of the largest orders
the firm had ever received. 1t
seemed that nothing would do but
to celebrate my good fortune by tell
ing every bartender in the city; and
of course.I always insisted on treating
those who were willing to listen to
my ideas of salesmanship.
Thus it happened that on my
arrival home that night, I was very
far from sober and my true pre-
dicament was easily discernible to
all, as sleep was what l desired most.
l very quickly made my way to bed
and forgetfulness; but the next day,
| could easily see that l had lost
prestige with the whole family and
particularly with the two kiddies,
who made NO demands on my time
for stories, puzzles or anything else
as they formerly had. This aloft-
ness on their part hurt me more than
anything else; and the desire on my
part to make amends and thus re-
gain their trust and companionship
was sufficient to keep me away from
taking drink for some days after,
although the craving for it was al
most unbearable.
1t was the Sunday after my late est
failure before the children paid any
further attention to me. Then they
asked me if / didn't want to accom-
pany them to church. Now. al
though l was never much Of church
going sort, still l believe l would of
agreed to almost anything just at
that time to win back my little COM
rades. So my acceptance of their
invitation was both warm and sin
cere.
The minister's text that morning
was the same one preached'the other
day. And in some manner it went
right to my heart | remember, he
said, among other things that 80
long as man could win the con-
fidence and friendship of a little |
child it showed that there was a
great deal of true manhood about
him, for that children could. pick
out those whom it was safe to trust
much quicker and with more oc-
curacy than any adult.
We'll. after hearing that sermon,
l went out feeling that possibly |
after all had the making of man
in me. And from then on l follow
ed such course in my every day