Not Another Drot.

Southland Times, Issue 9972, 21 September 1888, Page 3

Not Another Drot.

A commercial traveller in America entered a r*ii way carriage. A shout of welcome rose from v. number of his acquaintances who were time before bim. They had drink with them and in them, and they offered him the bottle. He refu'ed. They pressed him to drink, but m vain. Tkeir solicitations, jeers, and mockiug l_.ugi.ter had no effect upon kirn. What had made him thus suddenly turn abstainer ? they asked, and he told them as follows :— • Yesterday I was in Oaicago. Down on South Clark-street a customer of mine keeps a pawnshop in connection with his other business. 1 called on him, and while I was there a yonng man of not more than twentyfiye, wearing thread-bare clothes, and looking as hard as if be had not seen a sober day for a month, came in with a little package in his hanj. Tremblingly he unwrapped it, and handed the article to the pawnbroker, saying, < Give me ten cents." And, boys, what do you suppose it was? A pair of baby's shoes ; lirile things with the buttons only a trifle goded, as if they had been worn once or •Where did you get these V asked tke pawnbroker. , „ , „ , 'Got 'em at home,' replied the man, who bud an intelligent face and the manner of a gentleman, despite his sad condition. 'My— _ny wife bought them for our oaby, Give m' ten cents for 'em ; I want a drink.' ' You had better take those back to your wife. The baby will want them,' «aid tie pawnbroker. , 'No she won't, because she s dead, one s lying at home now j^died last night.' • As he said this the poor fellow broke down bowed his head on the show-case, and cried likr a child. 'Boys,' said the traveller, ' you can laugh if you please, but I— lhave a baby of my own at home, and I'll never drink another drop.' Then he got np and went into another car. His companions glanced atesch other in silence. No one laughed, tti bottle disappeared, and soon each wm ai ,ti D g in a teat by kimself reading a news-paperT-Spectator, (Melbourne.)