"FATHER'S OLD BOOTS ARE THERE."
MANY a picture of moving pathos appears in the dark gallery of
drunkenness. We have seen but few more touching ones than this from
the pen of Mrs. M. A. Kidder. She describes little Benny, the son of a
drunken father, sitting in a room with his mother and little sister. By
looking at this sad and thoughtful face one would have taken him to be
ten years of age, yet he was but six. No wonder. For four years this
almost baby had been used to seeing a drunken father go in and out of
the cottage. He scarcely remembers anything from him but cruelty and
abuse. But now he is dead! The green sod had lain on his grave a week
or so, but the terrible effects of his conduct were not buried with
him. The poor children would start with a shudder at every uncertain
step on the walk outside, and at every hesitating hand upon the latch.
On the day mentioned Benny's mother was getting dinner. "Will my little
son go to the wood-shed, and get mother a few sticks to finish boiling
the kettle?"
"I don't like to go to the wood-shed, mamma."
"Why, my son?"
"Because there is a pair of father's old boots out there, and I don't
like to see them."
"Why do you mind the old boots, Benny, any more than the old coat and
hat upstairs?"
"Because," said Benny, tears filling his blue eyes, "they look as if
they wanted to kick me."
Oh the dreadful after-influence of a drunken father to innocent
children! what an awful memory to bear through life!--_Richmond
Christian Advocate._