Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-04-04
Helping Hands
1919. By Western Newspaper Union. )
By VIOLA CLARE

SNN"ehekNa
Down tortuously winding court in
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 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 rear room
and uttered an exclamation Of salts
faction.
In vivid contrast to the neatly appar-
eled, clear-eyed, healthy faced Bierce
was a young man about his own age,
seated at table, an 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 inebriate, half-stupefed,
half-wrecked by his excuses.
rs this your promise to me, Har-
ry" 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 a sob
swept his lips.
II couldn't help 1t, Biercew he
choked out. "When you put me on
my feet for the hundredth time and
get me a 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 l 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 wealthy man, and had
we'll nigh broken the heart of his sis.
ter through his profligacy and dissi-
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 dlsowned by his
father.
Blerce held a good position with q
city mercantile house. For the first
time In years he had been given
sixty days leave Of absence, vaca-
ton he had planned to enjoy through
travel to the utmost. He had sought
out Harry, secured him q situation
and had clothed him respectfully, had
given him money and placed him in
a comfortable boarding house.
"Try and make a record till 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 despairingly. Its when l
get away from your friendly influ-
ence that l 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 I'm Columbus n
few weeks since, asking him to estab-
llsh you In business and prove that
you were worthy Of his regardi Very
we'll to my rooms, the address of
which you gave, there came a letter
today. 1t Is from your father. It
proposes that you open a small office
and look after the trade of his bust
ness here. You are to handle no
money, only to visit his regular
cIients and try IN increasa thoIr mr..
ders He will meantime pay your ex.
penses. II you make good at the end
of few months he will establish you
in a more pretentious way and finally
take you back into his confidence"
"Oh. 10 show Won NV pratitudeI
To win back the esteem of nv SIS
ter AlIcel How I will try" cried
Harry In an excess of emotion.
"And 7 will helm vou moor felIow
and deor old friend y, declared RIerce
"T shall give I'M NV vacotIon. sbau
he Mt vour side all of the time will
cooperate with YOU I'm making n man
of yourself"
Two montbs later tho friends were
seated in the office of which Harry
Morse was manager. He presented a
new individuality. for he Ind con-
quered his weakness Blerce had
faithfully remained by his side and
had taught him how to run the busl-
ness. All this Harry was going over
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