The Monroe journal., 1921-08-09


time had TUNED his fancy 10 the old
dream. 81 one day. he converted his
bank balance into "a ro'l big enough
TO choke a do" ami took the early
morning train 10 Iazelmead. having
LEFT Christmas n the Widow MOran's.
In the mill city he bought a high
silk hat and a gold-headed cane and
a new suit II clothes and a boiled
shirt and a high collar and red
necktie. II didn't matter 10 him that
the fashion and nit OF his garments
were not quite in keeping with the
silk hat and cold-headed cane. There
were three other items In the ole
dream OF splendor-the mother, the
prancins team. and the envious re-
marks Of the onlookers. His mother
was gone. Also there were no pranc.
inc horses In Hazelmead. but he could
hire an automobile.
In the course OF his celebration he
asked lady whom he met in the
street. II she would kindly he his
mother for a day. He meant well
but the lady being younger than
Hiram ana not accustomed 10 such
familiarity from strangers, did not
feel complimented by the question.
They fled from each other. Soon,
Hiram bought a biz custard pie In a
hake-shop and had IL cut into small
ish pieces and. having purchased pie
and plate. went out upon the street
with IL. He ate what he wanted of
the pie and generously offered the
rest OF il 10 sundry people who passed
him. II was not impertinence In
Hiram; il was pure generosity-a de
sire 10 share his riches, favored, in
SEINE degree, by a feeling Of vanity
II happened that Mr.. J. Patterson
Ring came along and received a
tender OF pie from Mr., Blenkinsop,
NO" said Mr.. Bing. with that old
hammer whack in his voice which
aroused bitter memories in the mind
OF Hiram.
That tone was great piece OF I'M
prudence. There was menacing
gesture and rapid succession Of
footsteps on the pavement Mr.. Bings
retreat was not however, quite swift
enough 10 save him The pie landed
on his shoulder In a moment, Hiram
was arrested and marching toward
the lookup while Mr., Bing went e
the nearest drug store 10 be cleaned
and secured.
A few days later Hiram Blenkinsop
arrived In Bingyile. Mr. Singleton
met him ON the street and saw 70
his deep regret that Hiram had been
drinking.
i've made up my mind that re-
ngion is good for some folks. but 4
won't 30 for me-" said the latter.
"Why not?" the minister asked.
II can't afford it."
"lIave you found religion a lux
uryy Mr. singleton asked.
ATS grand while II lasts, but Is
Ike p'ison gettin' over it, said
Hiram. Il feel kind o ruined"
"You look it," said the minister
with glance at Hiram's silk hal
ana soiled clothing "A long spell
of Snbriety is hard on man II he
quits II sudden. You've had your day
of trial, my friend. We all have
TO be tried soon or late. Peo
pie begin to say Al last he's come
around all right He's good fellow.
And the Lord says: Perhaps he'i
worthy of better things. I'll try hin
and see.
That's His way OF pushing people
along. Hiram. He doesn't want then
to stand still. You've had your tria
and failed, but you mustn't give up
When your fun turns into sorrow, al
Il will come back TO me and wei
try again"
Hiram sat doing In n corner of TIN
bar.room of the Eagle hotel that day
He had been ashamed 10 go to hi
comfortable room over the garage
He did moi feel entitled 10 the hos
pitality of Mr.. Singleton. Somehow
he couldn't bear the thought of goinl
there. His new clothes and silk ha
were In q state which excited tn