The Washington times., 1932-10-17
Hates His Father

Hates His Father
Fred, covering in a corner,
was filled with deep hatred for
the old man. His mother, OF
course, he loved. She was sweet
and kind and gentle. She
taught Fred his prayers. But
Fred, silently, uttered a prayer
each night that Nom knew
nothing about.
please. God" Fred whis-
pered, earnestly, don't let me
be like my father!"
In due time, Pop went to his
Just rewards, or otherwise.
Fred was far from unhappy
about it.
What are you crying
about?" he demanded of the
relatives who were gathered
about Pops coffin. ME and
Nom are better off. He was
nothing but an old soak. It's
better for everybody that he's
dead than the way he Was!"
They were all Mortified. What
manner of boy was this who
spoke the truth about the
dead? Fred, seeing the sorrow
in his mothers eyes, never re-
peated his assertion. Not aloud.
that is
Life, with Pop gone, became
peaceful. Fred, at 18, found
lob, and he and Nom were
content. Fred was a model son.
He worked hard at his job,
turned in his pay each week
and kept far away from the
corner saloon. 1t was the same
old place. Same old gang.
Same drinks. They only differ
ence was that now it was
known as a speakeasy.
Fred had few friends. Most
of the boys he knew were run
ming around with girls and
drinking. Fred didn't mind the
girls-but the liquor! Even the
smell of it would bring back
horrible memories of Pop and
his unpleasant habit of beating
up the family on Saturday
nights. Fred shuddered when
he thought of it. New r, he
was determined, would he be-
come what Pop had been.
Fred, if the truth were
known, was just a little afraid.
He had read somewhere that
children were inclined to in
herit evil tendencies from their
parents. Suppose he we're to
develop a liking for the stuff!
Thinking along in this fashion,
he grew more determined than
ever to keep away from liquor.
Fred Marries
When Fred was 81 he mar
ried one of the neighborhood
girls. Although you may not
be able to imagine such an un-
usual situation. he and Rose
and Nom lived together in per-
feet harmony,
During the second year of
his marriage to Rose a son
was born to them. Fred be-
came quite delirious with joy.
AS soon as he was assured that
his wife and baby could strug-
gle along without his presence
he rushed out of the apartment
to bring the glad tidings to
the neighbors.
In the flat across the hall
someone proposed a toast to
the new offspring. A bottle of
gin was brought out. 1t was
impossible for Fred to refuse
to drink to his own son. That
night, for the first time in his
life, Fred broke his promise to
himself. One drink led to two,
and two to two more. At the
end of an hour Fred was tight.
Forgotten were his resolutions,
MS amDlClOnS. AC CnaC moment
Fred felt that he would rather
be tight than President.
The next day, however, he
was extremely remorseful. He
vowed that he would never
drink again. Yet he was un-
comfortably aware that he had
enjoyed his little celebration.
And that day, when the boys
at the office insisted upon a
round of drinks in honor of the
new father, Fred didn't have
to be urged very strongly to
join them.
There followed a very un-
happy period for Fred. And, of
course, for Rose, too. Decidedly,
he didn't want to be wasting
his money on liquor and jeopar.
dizing his happiness. Yet he
could not hide from himself the