Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-04-10
Helping Hands
B. VIOLA Glars
Copyright. 1919. y western x.v.p.p.r us.on.S

the poorest quarter of the city in.
tested with ramshackly tenements
and the lowest grade of business
shops, Arden Bierce pressed his way
until he came to q low drinking den
which he entered. He glanced about
at the group OF rough-looking deni-
zens, seemed disappointed, peered
past the open doorway of a rear room
and uttered an exclamation Of salts
faction.
In vivid contrast to the neatly apparl
eled, clsar-eyed, healthy faced Bierce
was young man about his own age,
seated At table. IN empty glass be-
fore him, staring vacantly at space.
His clothing was ragged and soiled,
his face wan, his form unsteady and
trembling and altogether he suggested
the chronic fnebrtate, halfstupefied,
half-wrecked by his excesses
as this your promise to me, Har-
~" challenged Bierce at once, seat
ing himself opposite the other and fac
Ing him steadily.
Arthur Morse blinked his bleared
eyes, he hung his head and sob
swept his lips.
II couldn't help 1t, Bierce!" he
choked out. when you put me OH
my feet for the hundredth time and
get me situation and staked me.
vowed would never come to a place
like this again. Bierce, the demon
tempted me in the shape of an old
friend. What's the use telling more
Here am, lower in the scale than
ever, money gone. discharged from my
position. Go your way You have
done all you can for me. I'm not
worth the effort"
The head Of the speaker sank into
his outstretched arms on the table.
He seemed utterly crushed. Arden
Bierce eyed him with pity and con-
Germ. They had been familiar college
chums in the. past. Harry had for
feited the confidence of his father,
who was a wealthy man, and had
we'll nigh broken the heart of his SIS
ter through his profligacy and dissl-
patton. The former had banished
him. Alice Morse had given up all
hope OF the reformation of the broth
er. She had chung to him loyalty until
he had been utterly disowaed by his
father.
Bierce held good position with a
city mercantile house. For the first
time In years he had been given
sixty days leave OF absence, vaca
Hon lie had planned to enjoy through
travel to the utmost. He had sought
out Harry. secured him situation
and had clothed him respectfully, had
given him money and placed him in
d comfortable boarding house.
"srry and make record till i come
back. Harry" he told him, "and I'll
get you work directly with myself
where we can be together all of the
time"
That's just It'll" said Harry. now
looking up despairlngly. Its when i
get away from your friendly infu-
ence that | give way to temptation"
II have thought Of that and have
sought you out to give you one more
chance" said Bierce. "Do you recall
writing to your father in Columbus a
few weeks since, asking him to estab-
fish you in business and prove that
you were worthy Of his regard2 Very
we'll, to my rooms, the address Of
which You gave, there came letter
today. It Is from your father. II
proposes that you open small Office
and look after the trade Of his busi-
ness here. You are to handle no
money, only to visit his regular,
clients and try to increase their Or
ders. He will meantime pay your ex-
penses. II you make good at the end
of a few months he will establish you
In more pretentious way and finally
take you back into his confidence"
"Oh, to show you my gratitude!
To win back the esteem of my sis
ter Alice! How ! will try" cried
Harry In an excess of emotion.
"And I will help you, poor fellow
and dear old friend!" declared Bierce.
Il shall give up my vacation. l shall
be at your side all of the time. l will
cooperate with you in making man
Of yourself"
Two months later the friends We're
seated in the Office of which Harry
Morse was manager. He presented
new individuality, for he had con-
quered his weakness. Blerce had
faithfully remained by his side and
had taught him how to run the bust
ness. All this Harry was going over
with him now, in heartfelt gratitude
recounting his helpfulness and devo.
ton.
"And received letter from my
father today commenting my dill.
gence and efficiency" said Harry.
"And Alice is to be III the city some
day soon and to arrange with me for
visit home!"
They did not know 1t, but Alice
was in the outer office at that mo.
ment. She overheard all that her
brother said. She caught a glimpse
of the face of his friend. Then she
stole away but returned later and saw
Harry alone.
"You are t6>come home for week
and bring Mr.. Bierce with you" she
wrote a month after that.
why, how does she come to know
about me?" exclaimed Bierce In won
derment.
1t was a mystery to both, then. But
later, when Arden Bierce become a
brother-in-law to the derelict he had
redeemed from the depths. Alice en-.
ightened him.