Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-09-22

Dear Aunt Julia: I have written to tn
Letter Box once, and | thank Aunt Jul
very much for printing my letter. l re
ceived letters from some of the cousins, an,
sending you this. Will Won please print it
DRUNK in A BARRO0M
Do you think 7 favor drinking
The dark beverage OF hell?
II you Will just listen IN me,
sad story | will tell.
'Tis story ful NJ sorrow,
Full NJ bitterness and woe:
Then you will no longer wonder
Why ! firstly answer NO"
II was drink that caused the sorrow
am telling now to you;
1t was drink that caused the downfall
OF a boy once bright and true.
Twas a hoy reared by his mother.
With the tenderest love and care,
Who was dragged down lower and lower
Till lie almost reached despair.
In vile saloon we found him;
He at first refused to go.
Hesitated but a moment, and was lost
Ills always so.
Then the glass was offered to him,
lust 70 drink it. for fun;
Then he yielded. drank the liquor,
And his downward course begun.
Here he spent his night In folly,
Loud laughter. Jokes and fun
Smoking, swearing. gambling. drinking,
All the wicked course was run.
More and more the glass was lifted,
More and more the poor hoy drank.
Till at last, in drunken stupor,
Down upon the floor he sank.
"Ha! hs"' laughed one hardened topper,
There s sight that's sad TO see.
1t has hit him hard. I reckon,
Just the way it did with me
when l started in to drinking.
Several wears ago;
But l guess I'm try to wake him.
Come, hoy, It's time to GO.
Time TO go-go where" he hiccoughed,
In a foolish, drunken maze.
But | cant. My head is dizzy
And my brain il in A dsze."
Come, got out" the keeper told him.
There would he an awful roar
n rOur mother were TO find you
Sleeping on & barroom floor"
Mother find me! Mother find me!
Oh, my God! Can 1t he
I've forgotten all the lessons
Taught me at my mothers knee"
"Ah! you are crazy" some one whispert,
Close beside the poor boys ear.
Take another glass Of whisky,
1t will make your senses clear"
NO. 7 will not. DO NOT tempt me.
What will my poor mother say?
Womb to God that I had persisted
Ere l saw this awful day"
Listen to him! Poor. weak baby!
Listen TO him" some one sings.
Let us take him home aud tie him
To his mothers apron strings"
BY each asm his tempters took him,
Raised him from the harroom floor.
Down the street they stumbled and sta :
gered.
Oh! there's crepe upon the doorl
At the door his sister met him.
Charlie, mother died at two
And the last word that she uttered
was prayer for you.
Charlie. dear, why have you done this?
on have broken mothers heart.
bow she longed and PRAYED 10 see you
Ere her spirit did depart,
Ere she went 10 he with Jesus.
In that bright and happy home.
How she PRAYED for Cod TO guide you,
Not to let YOU longer roam
Even drunkards' friends have feelings
For there was not one who stood near,
With his heart and life all Sustained,
Could keep back the scaldins tears
As they saw the boy, heart broken,
Smitten by that awful blow,
And they knew it was their tempting.
Turning TO his sister sadly,
With drawn face and palid brow,
Take me" then he fsltered,
Take me to my mother now"
To those boys he spoke in anguish:
BOYS, l have word TO say:
May You never know the heartache
You nave brought me today.
Drunk whiie mother here law dying,
Rreat hing cut prayer for me:
Drunk whils sister here was longing
For Der brother't company.
Lying drunk and lost 70 reason
God, thls Is bitter day.
LYING drums out in barroor
Nh,le mother passed away.
Come With Es4. boys; gaze upou her.
Is not thar an angel face;
You have mothers. TOO, boys-go to :hs@:
Do not let mine be your case"
Then the boys voice broA. and tslt4rs4.
kneeling down in dark despair.
with broken heart. ne offered
Up to God this ferYeDt prayes:
Now, Q Lord. Wy. thou forgive ma
For the wicked iced 70 done,
Ard let mothers death result In
Pardon TO her Sustained son: