The Raymer enterprise., 1919-11-13
Helping Hands
lcepynsl.. 1919. y ws,ss S.~.O.ps usisn.,
b. VIOLA CLARE

Down a tortuously winding court In
the poorest quarter Of the city In
tested with ramshackly tenemenis
and the lowest grade Of business
shops. Arden Bierce pressed his WIS
until he came to a low drinking drn
: which he entered. He glanced sesut
at the group Of rough.looking JeGi-
zens. seemed disappointed. leeret
past the open doorway Of a rear room
and uttered an exclamation Of salts
faction.
In vivid contrast to the neatly appar'
eled, elear-syed. healthy faced BieFce
was yaung man about his own age,
seated al a table, an empty glass be-
fore him, staring vacantls at space.
His clothing was ragged and soiled,
his face wan, his form unsteady and
trembling ana altogether he suggested
the chronic inebr1ate, half-stupefied,
half.wrecked by his excuses.
rs this your promise to me. Har-
ryr challenged Blerce at once, seat
ing himself opposite the other and fac
Ing him steadily.
Arthur Morse blInked bis bleared
eyes. he hung his head and sob
swept his lips.
II couldn't help II, Bierce!" he
choked out "When you put me on
my feet for the hundredth time and
get me q situation and staked me,
vowed | would never come TO a place
like this again. Blerce, 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
felted the confidence Of his father.
who was wealthy man, and had
well nigh broken the heart Of his sis.
ter through his prohlgacy and dissl-
patton. The former had banlshed
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 dsowned by his
father.
BIerce held a good position with
city mercantile house. For the first
time In years he had been given Il
sixty days leave OF absence, vsca,
ton he 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
a comfortable boarding house.
Try and make q record TIL come
back, Harry" he told him, ''snd I'll
get you work directly with myself
where we can be together all Of the
time"
That's Just II said Harry. now
looking up despairingly ITS when |
get away from your friendly lnflu-
enee that | give way to temptation"
Il have thought Of that and have
sought you out to give you one more
chance said Blerce. DO you recall
writing to your father In Columbus a
few weeks since, asking him to estab-
lish you In business and prove that
you were worthy Of his regard? Very
well, to my rooms, the address of
which you gave, there came letter
today. II Is from your father, II
proposes that you open a small office
and look after the trade of his bust
ness here. You are to handle DO
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 al the end
Of few months he will establish you
In a more pretentlous way and finally
take you back into his confidence"
"0h, to show you my gratitude
To win back the esteem of my sis
ter AlIcel How will tryw cried
Harry In an excess of emotion.
And | will help you, poor fellow
and dear old friendl" declared Blerce.
Il shall give up my vacation. | shall
be at your side all Of the time Will
cooperate with you In making man
Of Yourself"
Two months later the friends were
seated In the office OF which Harry
Morse was manager. He presented a
new individuality, for he had con.
Quared his weakness. Bierce 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 In the city some
dov cnan and m a pru pga NTH mo far