file :i* includes ! orig9al illu/rations4 ,see #achhi-;h4htm or #achhi-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/dirs_/#a_/c_ /h_/h_/achhi_/achhi-;h_/#achhi-;h4htm7 or 7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/dirs_/#a_/c_ /h_/h_/achhi_/achhi-;h4zip7 ,,dave ,,ranney ,or1 ,?irty ,ye>s on ! ,b[]y ,an ,autobiography ,introduction by ,rev4 ,a4 ,f4 ,s*auffl]1 ,d4 ,d4 #aiaj ,illu/ration3 ,cov] ( ,dave ,ranney ,?is /ory ( my life is d$icat$ to ,,dr4 ,a4 ,f4 ,,s*auffl] ,:o /uck by me ?r\gh ?ick & ?9 ,hone/ endeavor is ne'er ?r[n away2 ,god ga!rs ! failures day by day1 ,& weaves !m into ,8 p]fect plan ,9 ways t are n = u to scan4 --,lucy ,:ittemore ,myrick1 #ahgf4 ,,introduction ,! autobiography :i* ?is book conta9s is t ( a man :o ?r\gh ! wond]ful deal+s ( ,provid5ce has _h a mo/ rem>kable exp]i5ce4 ,i h kn[n ! writ] = ab\t sev5te5 ye>s1 & always mo/ favorably4 ,= a numb] ( ye>s pa/ he has be5 ,b[]y ,mission>y = ! ,new ,york ,city ,mission & ,tract ,society1 & has %[n himself fai?ful1 capable & consci5ti\s4 ,8 /ory simply illu/rates h[ ! gospel ( ! grace ( ,god c g d[n z f> z man c fall1 & c uplift1 purify1 & beautify t :i* 0 degrad$ & well nigh unto curs+4 ,z a te/imony z to :at ,god c "w1 & h[ ,he c trans=m a man f be+ a curse to himself & to ! _w into be+ a bless+1 ! /ory is c]ta9ly fasc9at+1 & ought to enc\rage any :o h lo/ hope to turn to ,him :o alone is able to save4 ,x ought also to enc\rage all work]s = ! d[nfall5 to realize t ,god is able to save unto ! utt]mo/ all :o come to ,him ?r\gh ,jesus ,*ri/1 ! all-suffici5t ,savi\r4 ,) confid5ce ,i recomm5d ?is book to ^? :o are int]e/$ 9 ! rescue ( ! fall51 kn[+ t !y w praise ,god = :at has be5 wr\ght & w tru/ ,him = future wond]ful r$emptions4 ,a4 ,f4 ,,s*auffl]4 ,new ,york ,city4 ,,cont5ts ,,introduction ,i4 ,,boyhood ,,days ,,ii4 ,,fir/ ,,/eps ,,9 ,,crime ,,iii4 ,,into ,,! ,,dep?s ,,iv4 ,,sav$ ,,by ,,grace ,v4 ,,on ,,! ,,up ,,grade ,,vi4 ,,promot$ ,,vii4 ,,! ,,mission ,,9 ,,*9at[n ,,viii4 ,,b[]y ,,"w ,,ix4 ,,prodigal ,,sons ,let me live 9 a h\se by ! side ( ! road1 ,:]e ! race ( m5 g by4 ,m5 t are good & m5 t are bad1 z good & z bad z ,i4 ,i w\ld n sit 9 ! scorn]'s seat1 ,nor hurl ! cynic's ban4 ,let me live 9 a h\se by ! side ( ! road ,& be a fri5d to man4 ,,*apt] ,i ,,boyhood ,,days ,i h (t5 be5 ask$ ! "q1 ,:y don't y write a book8 ,& ,i h said1 ,:at is ! use8 ,:at good w x d8 ,i h ?\ght ab\t x "t & "t aga91 & h come to ! conclusion to write a /ory ( my life1 ! good & ! bad1 & if ! /ory w be a help1 & *eck "s "o t's j go+ wrong1 set him ?9k+1 & po9t him on ! "r road1 praise ,god6 ,i 0 born 9 ,hudson ,city1 ,n4 ,j41 ov] =ty ye>s ago1 :5 !re 7 n z _m h\ses 9 t t[n z !re are n[4 ,i 0 born 9 old ,dut* ,r[1 n[ call$ ,beacon ,av5ue1 9 a two-/ory frame h\se4 ,9 ^? days !re 0 an ,iri% ,r[ & a ,dut* ,r[4 ,! ,iri% liv$ by !mselves1 & ! ,dut* by !mselves4 ,q frequ5tly ! boys ( ! two colonies w\ld h a battle royal1 & !re w\ld be ?+s do+4 ,sometimes ! ,dut* w\ld w9 out1 sometimes ! ,iri%1 & _m's ! "t !re 0 a cut head & o!r bruises4 ,sometimes a prison] w\ld be tak51 & !n we w\ld play ,indian ) him1 & d ev]y?+ ) him except burn him4 ,we 7 all boys born 9 ,am]ica1 b if we liv$ 9 ,dut* ,r[1 :y1 we _h to be ,dut*2 b if1 on ! o!r h&1 we happ5$ to live 9 ,iri% ,r[1 we _h to be ,iri%4 ,i rememb] mov+ "o "t to ,iri% ,r[1 & ,i wond]$ :at w\ld happ5 :5 ,i w5t to play ) ! old cr[d4 ,!y said1 ,g & /ay ) ! ,iri%4 ,i did n "k :at to d4 ,i w\ld n fight my old comrades1 s ,i 0 neutral & f\ght ) nei!r4 ,we _h a good _m r+ battles 9 ^? days1 & _m's ! fight we _h )\t gloves1 & _m's ! black eye ,i got1 & also gave a few4 ,i believe no?+ does a boy or girl s mu* good z lots ( play 9 ! op5 air4 ,i nev] _h a s]i\s sickness 9 my life except ! measles1 & t 0 easy1 = ,i 0 up be=e ! doctor said ,i ought to get out ( b$4 ,^? 7 happy days1 & little did ,i ?9k !n t ,i w\ld become ! h>d man ,i turn$ out to be4 ,i _h a good ,*ri/ian "m1 "o :o lov$ h] boy & ?\ght !re 0 no?+ too good = him1 & ,i c\ld always jolly h] into gett+ me any?+ ,i want$4 ,god bless ! mo!rs6 ,h[ true ! say+ is1 ,a boy's be/ fri5d is 8 "m4 ,my fa!r ,i won't say s mu* ab\t4 ,he 0 a r\gh man :o lov$ 8 cups1 & di$1 z y might say1 a "y man ?r\gh 8 own wayw>dness4 ,i did love my "m1 & w\ld give any?+ n[ to h h] "h ) me z ,i am writ+ ?is /ory4 ,%e has gone to heav51 & ,i 0 ! means ( s5d+ h] to an e>ly grave ?r\gh my wrong-do+s4 ,%e did n live to see h] boy sav$4 ,_m's ! "t ,i w\ld promise h] to lead a diff]5t life1 & ,i meant x too1 b aft] all ,i c\ld n give up my evil ways4 ,,! ,,fir/ ,,ta/e ,,= ,,dr9k ,i rememb] :5 ,i fir/ acquir$ ! ta/e = dr9k4 ,my gr&fa!r liv$ ) u1 & he lik$ 8 mix$ ale & w\ld s5d me = a p9t two or ?ree times a day4 ,9 ^? days ! be] 0 weigh$ s _m p\nds to ! qu>t4 ,e "t ,i w5t = ! be] ,i us$ to take a swall[ be=e ,i came back1 & sometimes two1 & aft] a :ile ,i really began to enjoy x4 ,d y "k1 ,i 0 lay+ ! f\ndation "r !re & !n = be+ :at ,i turn$ out to be--a drunk>d4 ,i rememb] "o "t--yes1 lots ( times--t ,i 0 "u ! influ5ce ( ! vile /uff :5 ,i 0 n m ?an t5 ye>s ( age4 ,i receiv$ a public s*ool education4 ,my s*ool-days 7 gr& good days4 ,i _h all ! sport t comes to any boy go+ to s*ool4 ,i w\ld r play ball ?an g home to d9n]4 ,9 ^? days ! game 0 diff]5t f :at x is at ! pres5t "t4 ,i 0 up 9 all a?letic sports :5 ,i 0 a boy4 ,i c\ld jump ?ree quick jumps & g tw5ty-eight & a half feet2 t 0 consid]$ great = a s*oolboy4 ,!re 0 "o game ,i really did enjoy2 ! "n ( x 0 ,h[ _m miles8 ,x is play$ some?+ l ?is3 ,y *oose sides1 & x doesn't matt] h[ _m !re are on a side4 ,( c\rse ea* side w\ld be eag] to get ! quicke/ & fa/e/ runn] on _! side4 ,h[ ,i did l t game6 ,we !n toss$ to see :o w\ld be ! outs & :o w\ld *ase ! outs1 & _m's ! mile we boys w\ld run4 ,we w\ld be late = s*ool & w\ld be kept 9 aft] ?ree o'clock2 t w\ld break my he>t1 b ,i w\ld =get all ab\t x ! next day & d ! same ?+ aga94 ,our tea*]1 ,j4 ,w4 ,wakeman--,god bless him6--is liv+ yet1 & ,i hope he w live a good _m ye>s m4 ,a boy doesn't always l 8 tea*]1 & ,i 0 no exception2 ,i did n l him v mu*4 ,he gave me m :ipp+s ?an any o!r boy 9 ! s*ool4 ,all ! le>n+ ,i receiv$ 01 y might say1 p\nd$ into me4 ,he us$ to say to me1 ,david1 :y don't y be good & /udy y\r lessons8 ,!re is ! mak+ ( a man 9 y1 b if y don't /udy y w be fit = no?+ else ?an ! pick & %ovel4 ,h[ ^? words rang 9 my e>s _m a "t 9 aft] ye>s :5 !y came true1 :5 ,i _h to use ! pick & %ovel6 ,i am n say+ any?+ aga9/ t sort ( labor2 x has its place4 ,we mu/ fill 9 some:]e1 9 "s groove1 b t 0 n m9e4 ,h[ ,i did enjoy 9 aft] ye>s1 :5 ,i 0 roam+ ov] ! _w1 ?9k+ ( my old s*oolmates6 ,i c\ld "n ov] a doz5 :o 7 fill+ positions ( tru/ 9 _! own city2 lawy]s1 surrogates1 judges1 & "s 9 bus9ess = !mselves1 mak+ a "n & do+ some?+1 :ile ,i 0 no e>?ly use to myself or to any "o else4 ,"s p say1 ,su* is life2 z y make y\r b$ s y mu/ lie4 ,h[ true x 0 9 my case6 ,i made my b$ & _h to lie on x1 b ,i c tru?fully say ,i did n enjoy x4 ,!re are _m m5 t are d[n & out n[ :o _h a *ance to be spl5did m54 ,!y are n[ on ! ,b[]y c>ry+ ! bann]--:i* means walk+ ! /reets )\t a place to call home--)\t food or %elt]1 b !y c\ld1 if !y look$ back to _! e>ly life1 see t !y 7 mak+ _! b$s !n1 or z ! ,bible reads1 s[+ ! se$4 ,li/51 "y p1 & take he$4 ,don't believe ! say+1 ,a fell[ mu/ s[ 8 wild oats4 ,! tru? is j ?is3 z y s[ s %all y reap4 ,i 0 s[+ :5 ,i 0 dr9k+ out ( ! pail ( be]1 & ,i surely did reap ! drunk>d's portion--mis]y4 ,a ,,truant ,i 0 a great h& at play+ hookey--t is1 /ay+ away f s*ool & n tell+ y\r p>5ts4 ,i w\ld />t = s*ool 9 ! morn+1 b in/ead ( go+ w\ld meet a c\ple ( boys & we w\ld hide our books until clos+-"t4 ,if any boy 0 s5t to my home ) a note1 ,i w\ld see t boy & tell him if he w5t he knew :at he w\ld get4 ,he knew x meant a good pun*+1 & he w\ld n g4 ,i w\ld write a note s t ! boy c\ld take x back to ! tea*] say+ t ,i 0 sick & w\ld be at s*ool :5 ,i got bett]4 ,i rememb] h[ ,i 0 f\nd out "o "t4 ,we met z usual--! hookey-play]s1 ,i mean--& />t$ d[n to ! ,hack5sack ,riv] to h a good day4 ,little did ,i "k :at w\ld happ5 be=e ! day 0 ov]4 ,"o ( ! boys ) u w5t out beyond 8 dep? & 0 dr[n$4 ,i c /ill he> 8 cries & see 8 face z he sank = ! la/ lime4 ,we all c\ld swim a little1 & we tri$ our be/ to save him1 b 8 "t _h come4 ,t w\nd up 8 hookey-play+1 & y w\ld ?9k x w\ld make me /op too2 b no1 ,i w5t "r along s[+ ! se$1 & plant+ x good & deep = ! ,devil4 ,i recollect ! fir/ "t ,i w5t away f home4 ,x happ5$ ?is way3 ,! tea*] got tir$ ( receiv+ notes say+ ,i 0 sick1 & %e det]m9$ to see = h]self--= ,i _h a lady = tea*] 9 t class--:at ! tr\ble 04 ,"o aft]noon :om %\ld ,i see com+ 9 ! gate b my tea*]1 & n[ ,i 0 9 a fix = fair4 ,i knew if %e saw "m x 0 all up ) me1 s ,i ran & met h] & told h] "m 0 out & w\ld n be back until late4 ,%e ask$ me h[ ,i 0 gett+ on4 ,i said ,i 0 bett] & w\ld be at s*ool 9 ! morn+4 ,%e said1 ,i am glad ( t4 ,:5 %e turn$ to g ,i c\ld h flung my cap 9 ! air & %\t$4 ,i ?\ght ,i _h fool$ h] & c\ld g on play+ hookey1 b y "k ! old adage1 ,!re's _m a slip4 ,j at ?is "t my "m look$ out ( ! w9d[ & ask$ :o 0 !re & :at %e want$4 ,well1 "m came d[n1 & ?+s 7 made /raight z f> z %e & ! tea*] 7 conc]n$2 b ,i 0 9 = x2 ,i knew t by ! way "m look$ at me4 ,! jig 0 up1 ,i 0 f\nd out1 & ,i knew ?+s w\ld happ52 & ,i did n want to be ar\nd :5 "m said1 ,y j wait6 ,i knew :at t meant1 s ,i det]m9$ to g out into ! _w & make my own way4 ,i 0 a little ov] ?irte5 ye>s ( age1 & y "k a boy does n "k mu* at t age1 b ,i ?\ght ,i did4 ,i w5t ov] ! f5ce ) "m aft] me4 ,if dad _h be5 home ,i guess he c\ld h caught me1 t is if he _h be5 sob]4 ,"m c\ld n run v fa/1 s ,i got cle> ( ! :ip = t "t at lea/4 ,i got a good di/ance f ! h\se & !n ,i sat d[n to ?9k4 ,i knew if ,i w5t home a :ipp+ 0 wait+ = me1 & t ,i c\ld d )\t4 ,!re 0 a boy j a little old] ?an myself1 ,mike ----1#a t 0 on ! bum1 z we us$ to say4 ,! boys w\ld give him "s ( ! lun* !y _h br\ght to s*ool1 & ,i ?\ght ,i w\ld jo9 =ces ) & be 8 pal4 ,i saw ,mike & told him all ab\t ! lick+1 & ,mike said1 ,don't g home2 y are a fool if y d4 ,we w5t ar\nd1 & ,i 0 gett+ hungry1 :5 we ?\ght ( a plan by :i* we c\ld get some?+ to eat4 ,"m ran a book 9 a groc]y /ore1 & ,mike said1 ,g to ! /ore & get a few ?+s1 & say y don't h ! book b w br+ x :5 y come aga94 ,i w5t to ! /ore & got a ham1 a p\nd ( butt]1 two loaves ( bread & "o box ( s>d9es4 ,footnote #a3 ,:]e prop] names are left blank !y ref] to real p]sons or places4 ,"s p w ask h[ ,i c rememb] s _m ye>s back4 ,i rememb] my fir/ night away f home z ?\gh x 0 ye/]day1 & ,i'll nev] =get x z long z ,i live4 ,aft] ,i got ! ?+s ! groc] said1 ,:]e is ! book8 ,i told him "m _h mislaid x1 & he said1 ,br+ x ! next "t4 ,we built a fire & cook$ ! ham & _h lots to eat4 ,up to ?is "t x _h all be5 smoo? sail+2 x 0 w>m & we _h a good "t 9 g5]al4 ,we _h a swim ) "s o!r boys1 & aft] tell+ !m n to say t !y saw me1 we left !m4 ,i ask$ ,mike :]e we 7 go+ to sleep1 & he said1 ,i'll %[ y :5 x's "t4 ,aft] a :ile ,mike said1 ,i guess we _h bett] g to b$4 ,(f we />t$ across ! lots until we came to a big hay/ack1 & ,mike /oop$ d[n & began to pull hay out ( ! /ack & "w 8 way inside4 ,rememb] ,i 0 gre5 at ! bus9ess2 ,i _h nev] be5 away f home be=e2 & ,mike1 ?\gh only a little old]1 0 us$ to ?is k9d ( life4 ,well1 ,i pull$ out hay en\gh1 z ,i ?\ght1 & crawl$ 91 b !re 0 no sleep = me4 ,i kept ?9k+ & ?9k+4 ,i w\ld call ,mike & ask him if he 0 asleep1 & he w\ld say1 ,oh1 %ut up & let a fell[ sleep6 ,i am no c[>d1 nev] 01 b ,i 0 sc>$ t night = fair4 ,ab\t midnight ,i mu/ h doz$ (f to sleep :5 some?+ seem$ to be pu%+ at my feet4 ,i 0 wide awake n[1 & %ook ,mike1 b he only turn$ ov] & seem$ to sleep all ! s\nd]4 ,i c\ld he> ! grunt+ & pu%+ outside all ! "t4 ,my head 0 "u & my feet cov]$ ) ! hay1 :5 some?+ took hold ( my foot & began to *ew4 ,my hair /ood on end1 & ,i gave a yell t w\ld h awak5$ ,! ,sev5 ,sleep]s4 ,x woke ,mike1 & ! la/ ,i he>d ( him t night he 0 laugh+ z ?\gh he w\ld split 8 sides1 & all he c\ld %\t 01 ,pigs1 pigs6 z ,i w5t fly+ t[>d home4 ,i got !re z soon z my feet w\ld c>ry me4 ,i f\nd ! h\se up & "m & si/] cry+1 :ile fa!r 0 try+ to make !m /op4 ,:5 ,i %ook ! door x op5$ & ,i 0 home aga91 & ,i 0 mighty glad4 ,! reason = ! cry+ 0 t :5 x got late & ! folks began to look = me1 "o ( ! boys said t ! la/ "t he saw me ,i 0 swimm+ ) ,mike ----4 ,:5 ,i did n come home !y ?\ght surely ,i 0 dr[n$1 b ,i 0 born = a diff]5t fate4 ,sometimes 9 my ye>s ( roam+ aft]w>ds ,i wi%$ ,i _h be5 dr[n$ z !y ?\ght4 ,!y 7 s glad to see me aga9 t !re 0 no :ipp+1 & ,i w5t to s*ool next morn+ promis+ to be a bett] boy4 ,a ,,baseball ,,game ,i 0 fa/ becom+ initiat$ 9 ! ways ( ! ,devil4 ,!re 0 no?+ t ,i w\ld n d4 ,i rememb] "o "t :5 "m ?\ght ,i 0 go+ to s*ool b f\nd out ,i 0 on ! hook4 ,%e decid$ to puni% me1 & t night aft] ,i _h gone to sleep %e came into my room & took all my clo!s except my %irt4 ,i c]ta9ly 0 9 a fix4 ,i _h to cat* = my team & ,i w\ld n miss t game ( ball = any?+ 9 ! _w2 ,i simply _h to g4 ,9 look+ ar\nd ! room ,i f\nd a skirt belong+ to my si/] t ,i ?\ght w\ld answ] my purpose4 ,i _h my %irt on & ,i put ! skirt on ov] my head4 ,!n ,i ripp$ ! skirt up ! c5t] & ti$ x ar\nd ea* leg ) a piece ( cord--any?+ = t game6--& !re ,i 0 ) a pair ( tr\s]s manufactur$ out ( a girl's skirt4 ,b ,i _h to cat* t game ( ball t day at any co/4 ,gett+ to ! gr\nd 0 easy4 ,i op5$ ! w9d[ & let myself d[n z f> z ,i c\ld & !n dropp$4 ,i arriv$ all "r1 a little %ak5 up1 b :at is t to a boy :o has a ball game 9 8 head6 ,i got to ! game all "r & "s ( ! boys fix$ me up4 ,i don't rememb] :i* side won t game1 b :5 x 0 f9i%$ ,i w5t home & met "m1 & ! int]view 0 n a pleasant "o1 ?\gh %e did n give me a :ipp+4 ,i us$ to read novels1 any numb] ( !m1 9 ^? days--all ab\t ,indians1 pirates1 & all ^? blood-&-?und] tales--lies4 ,y c n get any good out ( !m1 & !y d corrupt y\r m9d4 ,i w\ld advise ! "y p :o read ^! l9es1 & old] folks also1 if ?is is y\r /yle ( read+1 to /op "r :]e y are4 ,get "s good books--!re are pl5ty ( !m--& don't fill y\r m9d ) /uff t only unfits y = ! real life ( ! ye>s to come4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,noon ,,%op ,,meet+ ,,address$ ,,by ,,mr4 ,,ranney4 ,,*apt] ,,ii ,,fir/ ,,/eps ,,9 ,,crime ,i 0 gett+ tir$ ( s*ool & want$ to g to "w4 ,i _h a good ,*ri/ian man = my ,sunday-s*ool tea*]1 ,mr4 ,m41 a fairly ri* man1 & ,i did ?9k a good deal ( him4 ,i lik$ to g to ,sunday-s*ool & 0 (t5 ! fir/ 9 my class4 ,! tea*] w\ld put up a prize = ! "o t 0 !re fir/4 ,sometimes x w\ld be a baseball bat1 skates1 book1 or knife4 ,i w\ld let myself out !n & w\ld be fir/ & get ! prize4 ,i ask$ ,mr4 ,m4 to get me "w 9 an (fice4 ,aft] a few weeks he call$ & told my "m he _h got me a job 9 ,j]sey ,city1 9 ! (fice ( a civil eng9e]1 at #c a week4 ,i 0 a happy boy z ,i />t$ 9 on my fir/ day's "w4 ,x 0 easy2 all ,i _h to d 0 to op5 up & du/ ! (fice at #h ,a4 ,m41 & close at #e ,p4 ,m4 ,i us$ to run err&s & draw a little4 ,b aft] a few weeks ! newness ( "w wore (f & ,i wi%$ ,i 0 back at s*ool aga91 :]e ,i c\ld play hookey & h fun ) ! o!r fell[s4 ,,! ,,fir/ ,,!fts ,i _h lots ( "t on my h&s1 & y "k ! say+1 ,satan f9ds "s mis*ief /ill = idle h&s to d4 ,he c]ta9ly f\nd pl5ty = me4 ,! boss 0 a great smok] & b\ght 8 cig>s by ! box4 ,he ask$ me if ,i smok$1 & ,i said no1 = ,i _h n begun to smoke z yet4 ,well1 he left ! box ( cig>s ar\nd1 always op51 s ,i ?\ght ,i w\ld try "o1 & ,i took a c\ple out ( ! box4 ,see h[ ! ,devil works ) a fell[4 ,he seem$ to say1 ,n[ if y take !m f ! top he w miss !m1 s he %[$ me h[ to take !m f ! bottom4 ,i took out ! cig>s t 7 on top1 & :5 ,i got to ! bottom ( ! box ,i cross$ a c\ple & took ! cig>s1 & y c\ld n tell t any _h be5 tak5 out4 ,t 0 ! beg9n+ ( my /eal+4 ,! cig>s 7 n miss$1 & ,i ?\ght h[ easy x 01 b ?is beg9n+ prov$ to be j a /epp+-/one to :at foll[$4 ,i did n smoke ! cig>s !n1 b wait$ until ,i got home4 ,aft] supp] ,i w5t out & met ,mike ----1 & gave him "o ( !m1 & ,i />t$ 9 to smoke my fir/ cig>4 ,mike c\ld smoke & n get sick1 b !re nev] 0 a sick] boy ?an ,i 04 ,i ?\ght ,i 0 go+ to die !n & !re & ,i said1 ,no m cig>s = me4 ,i recov]$1 h[ev]1 & z usual =got my good resolutions4 ,t turn$ out to be ! beg9n+ ( my smok+ habit1 & ,i 0 a good judge ( a cig> :5 ,i 0 b f\rte5 ye>s ( age4 ,i w5t on /eal+ !m until ! boss tumbl$ t "s "o 0 tak+ !m & lock$ !m up = safe keep+4 ,i nev] smok$ a cig>ette 9 all my life4 ,i "k x takes away a "y fell['s bra9s & ,i really class cig>ettes next to dr9k & w\ld w>n boys nev] to smoke !m4 ,i _h be5 9 ! (fice n[ ab\t ?ree mon?s4 ,at ! end ( ea* mon? ,i receiv$ a *eck = #ab4 ,x seem$ a =tune to me & ,i hat$ to give x 9 at ! h\se4 ,! ?ird mon? ,i receiv$ ! *eck z usual1 made out to be>]4 ,well1 ,i w5t home & gave ! *eck to "m1 & %e said ,i 0 a good boy & gave me fifty c5ts to sp5d4 ,i wat*$ my "m & saw h] put ! *eck 9 an unus$ pit*] 9 ! closet on ! top %elf4 ,x seem$ z ?\gh "s "o 0 beside me all ! "t tell+ me to take x & h a good "t4 ,x belong$ to me & no "o else _h a "r to x1 ,satan seem$ to say4 ,& :at a good "t ,i c\ld h ) x6 ,!y w\ld nev] suspect me ( tak+ x1 & ,i c\ld h x ca%$ & no "o w\ld ev] "k4 ,s ,i got up 9 ! middle ( ! night & />t$ "r !re & !n to be a burgl>4 ,i w5t on tiptoe z s(tly z ,i c\ld1 & 0 "r 9 ! middle ( ! kit*5 floor :5 ,i /umbl$ ov] a little /ool & x made a noise4 ,x 0 n mu* ( a noise1 b to me x seem$ l ! %ot out ( a cannon4 ,i ?\ght x w\ld wake up ! :ole h\se1 b nobody b "m woke1 & %e said1 ,:o's !re8 ,i said no?+1 only /ood /ill & wait$ = h] to fall asleep aga94 ,z ,i /ood !re a voice--& surely x 0 ! voice ( ,god--seem$ to say1 ,g back to b$ & leave ! *eck alone4 ,x is n y\rs3 x belongs to y\r "m4 ,%e is fe$+ & keep+ y1 & y are do+ wrong4 ,i ?9k if ! ,devil _h n butt$ 9 ,i w\ld h gone to b$1 b he said1 ,n[ y are "h no "o sees y1 & :at a good "t y c h ) t *eck6 ,t settl$ all good ?\ghts & ,i w5t up to ! closet1 put my h& 9 ! pit*]1 took ! *eck & w5t back to b$4 ,t 0 my fir/ burgl>y4 ,did ,i sleep8 ,well1 ,i guess n6 ,i roll$ & toss$ all ! balance ( ! night4 ,i knew ,i _h done wrong4 ,b y see ! ,devil 0 !re1 & ,i really ?9k he own$ me f ! "t ,i /ole ! cig>s--t little beg9n+4 ,i got up ! next morn+1 ate my breakfa/ & w5t to "w4 ,i /ill _h ! *eck1 & all ,i _h to d 0 to g to ! bank & get x ca%$4 ,b ,i 0 afraid1 & h[ ,i wi%$ t ! *eck 0 safe 9 ! old pit*]4 ,i worri$ all t day1 & ,i ?9k if ,i _h gott5 a *ance t night aft] ,i got home1 ,i w\ld h put ! *eck back4 ,b ! old ,devil 0 !re say+1 ,y fool1 keep x6 ,x is n miss$1 & ev5 if x is no "o w accuse y ( /eal+ y\r own money4 ,i tell y1 ! ,devil _h me h& & foot1 & !re seem$ to be no gett+ away4 ,oh6 if ,i c\ld h _h "s p]son to tell me pla9ly :at to d at ?is "t1 x might h be5 ! turn+-po9t 9 my life6 ,anyway1 ! *eck didn't get back to ! pit*]4 ,i _h x & ! ,devil _h me4 ,next day ,i disguis$ myself some:at4 ,i made my face dirty & put on a cap4 ,i _h be5 we>+ a hat be=e1 s ,i ?\ght ! tell] at ! bank w\ld n "k me4 ,i _h be5 !re (t5 ) *ecks = my boss4 ,well1 ! tell] j look$ at ! *eck1 gave me a glance1 & pass$ out ! #ab4 ,x did n take me long to get out ( ! bank4 ,i knew ,i _h done wrong1 & ,i felt x1 & w\ld h giv5 any?+ if ,i c\ld h undone x2 b x 0 too late1 & my old companion1 ! ,devil1 said1 ,:at a nice "t y c h1 & wasn't x easy6 ,:5 ,i w5t home ! fir/ "q 01 ,did y see y\r *eck8 ,my de> "m ask$ me t1 nev] ?9k+ t h] boy _h tak5 x4 ,oh6 if ,i _h _h ! c\rage to tell h] !n & !re1 h[ mu* mis]y & tr\ble x w\ld h sav$ me 9 aft] life6 ,b ,i 0 a moral c[>d1 & ,i said1 ,no1 "m2 :]e did y put x8 ,i _h h] guess+ :e!r %e really put x 9 ! pit*] or n4 ,!re 0 a regul> hunt = t *eck1 & ,i hunt$ z mu* z any "o1 b x c\ld n be f\nd4 ,"m did n "k mu* ab\t banks 9 ^? days1 b "s "o told h] ab\t a week aft] t %e ought to g to ! bank & /op paym5t on ! *eck4 ,t s\nd$ good to "m1 & %e said1 ,dave1 y & ,i w g to ! bank & /op paym5t on t *eck4 ,i 0 9 x = fair ?is "t4 ,! only *ance ,i _h 0 9 ! tell] n recogniz+ me4 ,we w5t to ! bank1 & "m told ! tell] ab\t ! lo/--/ol5--*eck1 & = him to see t x wasn't paid4 ,he said1 ,all "r1 madam1 ,i'll n pay x if x is n already paid4 ,he look$ ov] ! books & br\ght back ! lo/ *eck4 ,i _h /ood 9 ! backgr\nd all ?is "t4 ,!n my "m ask$ him :om he paid x to4 ,he said x 0 h>d = him to recall j !n1 ,b ,i ?9k ,i paid x to a boy1 he said4 ,yes1 x 0 a boy1 = ,i recollect t he _h z dirty a face & h&s z ev] ,i saw4 ,"m pull$ me up 9 front ( him & told him to look at me & see if ,i 0 ! boy4 ,he look$ at me = a m9ute or s--x seem$ to me l an h\r--!n said1 ,no1 t is n ! boy t ca%$ ! *eck1 no?+ l him4 ,i am sure ,i %\ld "k t boy4 ,9 aft] ye>s1 :5 ,i 0 l9$ up 9 front ( detectives = id5tification = "s crime1 id5tifi$ or n1 ,i always ?\ght ( a dirty face be+ a good disguise4 ,on ! way home f ! bank "m ask$ me all sorts ( que/ions ab\t boys ,i knew2 if !y _h dirty faces & s on1 b ,i did n "k any su* boys1 s ! *eck bus9ess di$ out4 ,%e little ?\ght t h] own boy 0 ! ?ief1 & %e blam$ my c\s91 :o 0 bo>d+ ) u at ! "t4 ,my gr&fa!r 0 /ill ) u1 & he _h q a sum ( money sav$4 ,he want$ "s money1 & he & ,i w5t to ! bank & he drew out fifty doll>s 9 gold4 ,!re 0 a premium on gold at t "t1 & he receiv$ two tw5ty-doll> gold-pieces & "o t54 ,well1 t night he lo/ "o ( ! tw5ty-doll> gold-pieces & nev] f\nd x4 ,!re 0 a hot "t ! next morn+1 = he 0 sure he _h x :5 he w5t to b$4 ,my fa!r 0 blam$ = t1 s y see ! innoc5t suff] = ! guilty4 ,i _h q a "t ) ! money :ile x la/$1 w5t out to ! old ,b[]y ,!atre1 & _h a good "t 9 g5]al4 ,i little ?\ght !n t 9 aft] ye>s ,i w\ld be sitt+ on ! old ,b[]y /eps1 d[n & out1 )\t a c5t 9 my pocket & )\t a fri5d 9 ! _w4 ,,los+ ,a ,,position ,i 0 a boy ( f\rte5 at ?is "t1 work+ 9 a civil eng9e]'s (fice = ?ree doll>s p] week1 b ,i knew1 "y z ,i 01 t z a pr(ession eng9e]+ 0 n = me4 ,i knew t to take x up ,i ne$$ a good education1 & t ,i did n h4 ,i didn't l ! trade1 anyway1 & didn't c>e :e!r ,i work$ or n4 ,t is ! reason ,i lo/ my job4 ,"o aft]noon my employ] s5t me up ,new>k ,av5ue = a suit ( clo!s t _h be5 made to ord]4 ,he told me to get !m & br+ !m back z soon z ,i c\ld4 ,i mu/ say "r "h t my employ] 0 a good man1 & he took q a lik+ to me4 ,_m a "t he told me he w\ld make a great eng9e] out ( me4 ,i (t5 look back & ask myself ! "q1 ,did ,i miss my vocation8 ,& !n !re comes a voice1 :i* ,i recognize z ,god's1 say+1 ,y _h to g ?r\gh all ?is 9 ord] to help o!rs ) ! same temptations & ! same s9s1 & ,i say1 ,am54 ,aft] gett+ ! clo!s ,i w5t back to ! build+ :]e ,i work$--,no4 #i ,ex*ange ,place1 ,j]sey ,city--& f\nd ! door lock$4 ,i wait$ ar\nd = a :ile1 = ,i ?\ght my employ] want$ 8 clo!s or he w\ld n h s5t me = !m4 ,f9ally ,i got tir$ ( wait+1 & aft] try+ ! door once m & f9d+ x /ill lock$1 ,i said to myself1 ,i'll j put ^! clo!s 9 ! furniture /ore next door & ,i'll get !m to-morr[ morn+4 ,i left !m & told ! man ,i w\ld call = !m 9 ! morn+1 & />t$ = home4 ,i 0 9 b$ dream+ ( ,indians & o!r ?+s1 :5 "m wak5$ me1 %\t+1 ,:]e's ! man's clo!s8 ,i c\ldn't make out at fir/ :at all ! racket 0 ab\t4 ,!n ,i he>d m5's voices talk+ 9 ! y>d1 & recogniz$ ,mr4 ,m41 my ,sunday-s*ool tea*]1 & my employ]1 ! man t 0 go+ to make a great eng9e] out ( me4 ,i w5t out on ! por* & told him :at ,i _h done ) ! clo!s1 & he ne>ly collaps$4 ,he 0 v angry1 & drove (f1 say+1 ,y come to ! (fice & get :at's due y 9 ! morn+4 ,i w5t ! next morn+1 got my money1 & bade him good-by4 ,t 0 ! la/ ( my becom+ "o ( ! great eng9e]s ( ! day4 ,i 0 glad1 & ,i w5t back to s*ool det]m9$ to /udy real h>d1 & ,i did rema9 9 s*ool = a ye>4 ,!n ! old craze = "w came on me aga94 ,fa!r _h di$ 9 ! meantime1 & "m 0 left to d ! be/ %e c\ld1 & ,i got a job ) ! det]m9ation to be a help to h]4 ,,at ,,"w ,,aga9 ,i got a position z (fice boy at #dj ,broadway1 !n "o ( ,new ,york's l>ge/ build+s4 ,! man ,i work$ = 0 a commission m]*ant1 a ,hebrew1 & "o ( ! f9e/ m5 ,i ev] met 9 my life4 ,he took me into 8 private (fice & we _h a long talk1 a sort ( fa!rly talk1 z he _h sons & daught]s ( 8 own4 ,i lov$ t man4 ,i _h be5 br\ght up among ! ,dut* & ,iri%1 & _h nev] associat$ ) ! ,jews1 & ,i suppos$ f :at ,i _h he>d t !y 7 put on e>? = u to get ! be/ (1 fire /ones at1 & treat z meanly z we c\ld4 ,t 0 my idea ( a ,jew--my boy idea4 ,yet "h 0 a man1 a ,jew1 "o ( ! :ite/ m5 ,i ev] met1 :o by 8 life *ang$ completely my op9ion ( ! ,jews1 & ,i put !m d[n f t day z be+ pretty good p4 ,my "m did "s "w = 8 wife1 & :5 he he>d t ,i want$ to g to "w he told h] to s5d me ov] to 8 place ( bus9ess1 & t is h[ ,i got my second position 9 ?is big _w4 ,i w5t to "w ) ! det]m9ation to make a man ( myself1 & "m said3 ,n[1 ,dave1 be a good boy1 & "o ( ^! days y w be a big m]*ant & ,i %all be pr\d ( y4 ,t 0 :at ,i might h be5 if ,i _h _h ! grace ( ,god to make my life true4 ,i am acqua9t$ ) "s m5 to-day t />t$ ab\t ! same "t ,i did4 ,!y 7 boys t look$ ahead1 /udi$ & w5t up /ep by /ep1 & are to-day "s ( ! be/-kn[n bank]s 9 ,am]ica4 ,!y say ,hell is pav$ ) good int5tions1 & ,i believe x is4 ,we />t out 9 life ) ! be/ int5tions1 b be=e we "k x we are up aga9/ "s temptation1 & unless we h ,god ) u we are sure to fall1 & :5 we fall1 :y1 x's ! h>de/ ?+ 9 ! _w to get back :]e we tumbl$ f4 ,i only wi% ,i _h tak5 ! ,savi\r z my help] ye>s ago4 ,oh6 :at a *ange ,he did make 9 my life aft] ,i did accept ,him1 sev5te5 ye>s ago6 ,i />t$ 9 to "w at f\r doll>s a week1 &1 z ,i said1 ,i int5d$ to be a great m]*ant4 ,i meant well1 if t 0 any consolation4 ,my duties 7 to g to ! po/(fice & br+ ! mail1 copy ! lett]s1 & run err&s1 & ,i 0 happy4 ,i 0 out "o day on an err&1 :5 :om %\ld ,i meet b my old fri5d ,mike ----1 my *um ( ! pig incid5t4 ,he said1 ,hello1 ,dave1 :]e are y work+8 ,he _h a job 9 a factory 9 ,maid5 ,lane1 at ! same wages ,i 0 gett+4 ,i hadn't se5 mu* ( ,mike lately1 & to tell ! tru? ,i didn't c>e s mu* ab\t meet+ him4 ,i am n sup]/iti\s by any means1 b ,i really ?\ght he 0 my ,jonah4 ,we talk$ a :ile1 & we promis$ to meet & g home toge!r4 ,l a fooli% boy1 ,i met him t night & _m a "t aft]4 ,,t\* ,,n1 ,,ta/e ,,n ,mike 0 j le>n+ to play pool1 & "o ev5+ we _h to g 9 & play a game4 ,t night ,i _h ! fir/ glass ( be] ,i ev] took 9 a saloon4 ,mike 0 gett+ to be q a tippl]1 & he said1 ,let's h a dr9k4 ,i said ,i didn't want any1 & ,i didn't4 ,b he said--,i really ?9k ! ,devil 0 us+ ,mike to make me dr9k--,oh1 be a man6 ,"o glass won't hurt y2 x w d y good4 ,& he talk$ to me ab\t "m's apron-/r+s1 & f9ally ,i took my fir/ dr9k outside ( :at ,i drank :5 gr&fa!r us$ to s5d me = be]4 ,d y "k1 z ,i /ood !re be=e ! b>1 ) t be] 9 my h&1 ,i he>d a voice j z pla9 z ,i ev] he>d any?+1 say+1 ,don't take t /uff2 x's no good1 & w br+ y to %ame & mis]y4 ,x w spoil y\r future1 & y w nev] become ! great m]*ant y />t$ out to be4 ,put x d[n & don't dr9k x4 ,t 0 tw5ty-five ye>s ago1 & _m a "t ,i h he>d t voice s9ce4 ,h[ ,i wi% n[ t ,i _h li/5$ to t voice & nev] tak5 t fir/ dr9k6 ,x is n ! second or ! "o hundr$ & second dr9k t makes a man a drunk>d1 b ! fir/4 ,i />t$ to put ! glass d[n1 & ) t ,mike began to laugh1 & 8 laugh br\ght ! o!r fell[s ar\nd4 ,( c\rse ,mike told !m ,i 0 a milk-&-wat] boy4 ,i c\ld n /& x to be laugh$ at1 s ,i put ! glass ( be] to my lips1 swall[$ x1 & nev] made a face ab\t x4 ,!n ! fell[s said1 ,y're all "r6 ,y are initiat$ n[ & y're a man6 ,i didn't feel v mu* l a man4 ,i felt z ?\gh ,i 0 "s fell[ )\t a s+le sp>k ( manhood 9 my :ole make-up4 ,i ?\ght ( "m2 :at w\ld %e say if %e knew ,i _h brok5 my promise to h]8 ,i _h promis$ h] :5 fa!r di$ nev] to take a dr9k 9 all my life4 ,i knelt at h] de> side1 ) h] h&s ^u my head1 & %e pray$ t ,god w\ld bless h] boy & keep him f dr9k4 ,i _h hone/ly int5d$ to keep t promise1 b y see h[ ! ,devil popp$ 9 & once m made me d :at ,i knew 0 wrong--dr9k t fir/ curs$ glass ( be]4 ,i w5t home1 walk+ all ! way1 & try+ to get ! smell out ( my m\?4 ,i c\ld n face my de> "m1 s ,i w5t to my room )\t supp]4 ,i ?\ght t all %e _h to d 0 to look 9 my face & %e w\ld "k t ,i _h brok5 my promise1 & ,i 0 a%am$4 ,%e came up lat] & ask$ me :at 0 ! matt]1 & ,i said ,i _h a heada*e4 ,if ,i _h _h ! c\rage to tell h] !n1 ?+s might h be5 diff]5t6 ,%e br\ght me a cup ( tea & bade me good-night4 ,! next night ! ,devil /e]$ me into ! same saloon4 ,i drank aga9 & aga91 till f9ally ,i c\ld dr9k z mu* z any man1 & x w\ld take a good deal to knock me out4 ,i 0 /ill work+ = ! m]*ant on ,broadway1 & my prospects 7 ( ! brighte/4 ,!y all lik$ me & gave me a raise 9 sal>y1 s ,i 0 n[ gett+ five doll>s a week4 ,b1 y see1 ,i 0 sp5d+ money on pool & dr9k1 & five doll>s didn't g s v f>1 s ,i began to /eal4 ,i _h *>ge ( ! /amps--! firm us$ a great _m---& ,i _h ! mail+ ( all ! lett]s4 ,i w\ld take out fifty c5ts f ! money & balance ! acc\nt by lett]s mail$4 ,i began 9 a small way1 & ! ,devil 9 me said1 ,h[ easy6 ,y're all "r4 ,s ,i w5t on until ,i 0 /eal+ on an av]age ( #a4ej p] day4 ,i /ill kept on dr9k+ & play+ c>ds4 ,i _h by ?is "t blossom$ out z q a pok] play] & c\ld d z _m tricks z ! be/ ( !m4 ,i us$ to /ay out q late1 & w\ld tell "m t ,i 0 kept at ! (fice1 & little did %e ?9k t h] only son 0 a gambl]6 ,! ,bible says1 ,be sure y\r s9 w f9d y out1 & x prov$ true 9 my case4 ,"o night ,i 0 out gambl+1 & _h _h q "s luck4 ,! fell[s got to dr9k+1 & 9 fact ,i got drunk1 & :5 ,i />t$ = home ,i c\ld h>dly walk4 ,i fell d[n sev]al times1 :5 :o %\ld come along b "m & si/]1 & :5 !y saw me /agg]+ along !y 7 a/oni%$4 ,i he>d my "m say1 ,oh6 my ,god1 my boy1 my only son1 oh6 :at happ5$ to y8 ,"m knew )\t ask+ :at ! matt] 04 ,%e _h (t5 se5 fa!r reel+ home "u ! influ5ce ( dr9k4 ,b "h 0 some?+ %e c\ld n und]/&4 ,"h 0 h] only son bea/ly drunk1 & %e cri$ bitt] te>s4 ,%e took hold ( "o arm & my si/] ! o!r1 & we f9ally rea*$ home4 ,i 0 gett+ pretty well sob]$ up by ?is "t1 & knew ,i 0 9 = a lecture4 ,my "m hadn't :ipp$ me ( late1 b ,i dread$ h] talk1 & !n ,i wi%$ ,i _h nev] met ,mike ----4 ,"m didn't say any?+ until we got home4 ,%e put me to b$1 bru%$ my clo!s1 & told me to g to sleep4 ,ab\t two o'clock ,i woke up4 ,!re 0 "m kneel+ by my b$side1 pray+ ,god to save h] boy & keep him f foll[+ 9 8 fa!r's foot/eps4 ,i lay !re & li/5$ & said am5 to ev]y?+ %e ask$ ,god to d4 ,f9ally ,i c\ld /& x no long]2 ,i jump$ out ( b$ & knelt beside my "m & ask$ ,god to =give me4 ,i ?rew my arms ar\nd "m's neck & ask$ h] to =give h] boy1 :i* %e did4 ,i det]m9$ "r !n & !re to d bett] & nev] to dr9k any m4 ,i really meant to />t all ov] aga91 b ,i didn't take ,jesus ) me--9 fact1 ,i ?9k ! ,devil own$ me = fair4 ,i 0 pretty good = ab\t a mon?1 kept away f ,mike & ! o!r fell[s1 & "m 0 delight$4 ,b ?is did n cont9ue long2 ,i met ,mike aga91 & fell into ! same groove1 & 0 ev5 worse ?an be=e4 ,b>num 0 runn+ 8 circus 9 ,new ,york !n1 & ,mike & ,i decid$ to see ! %[ & took a day (f to g4 ,i _h n got leave ( abs5ce f "w1 s on our way home we plann$ :at we c\ld tell our bosses :5 we w5t to "w ! next morn+4 ,:5 my employ] came 9 t morn+ ,i told him ,i 0 sick ! day be=e & n able to get out ( b$4 ,he j /ood !re & look$ at me1 & said1 ,:at a li> y are6 ,y 7 se5 at ! circus ye/]day6 ,n[1 :y didn't y tell me ! tru?1 & ,i w\ld h ov]look$ x8 ,i c't h any "o 9 my employ t ,i c't tru/4 ,s ,i _h to look = ano!r job4 ,i 0 sorry1 b x 0 my own fault4 ,!re ,i 01 )\t a job & )\t a recomm5dation4 ,:at 0 ,i go+ to d8 ,surely ! way ( ! transgressor is h>d4 ,i tell ! m5 9 ! ,mission night aft] night t ,i w\ld r deal ) a ?ief ?an a li>1 because y c protect y\rself aga9/ a ?ief1 b a li>--:at c't a li> d8 ,if ,i _h only told ! tru? to my employ] t day1 :y1 z "m said aft]w>ds1 he w\ld h giv5 me a lecture1 & x w\ld h be5 all ov]4 ,,deep] ,,9 ,,! ,,mire ,n[ :at 0 ,i to tell my "m8 ,y see1 if y tell "o lie y are b\nd to tell o!rs1 & aft] y h li$ once1 h[ easy x is6 ,my side p>tn]1 ! ,devil1 0 !re by my side to help me1 & he said1 ,don't tell y\r "m4 ,s ,i said no?+1 & took my c>f>e & lun* money e day1 w5t out z if ,i 7 go+ to "w1 & hop$ t some?+ w\ld turn up4 ,t's ! way ) ! s9n]s2 !y are always hop+ & nev] do+4 ,s x 0 ) me1 always hop+1 & ! ,devil always say+1 ,don't worry2 x w be all "r4 ,i us$ to dread go+ home at night & meet+ my "m1 & :5 %e w\ld say1 ,h[ h y got on to-day8 ,i 0 always ready ) ano!r lie1 tell+ h] ,i 0 do+ f9ely1 t ! boss said he 0 go+ to give me a raise soon4 ,he _h--he _h rais$ me "r out ( ! place6 ,i 0 gett+ deep] & deep] into difficulty & c\ld n see my way out4 ,oh6 if ,i _h only told my "m ! tru?1 h[ diff]5t my life might h be56 ,saturday night 0 com+1 & ,i did n h any money to br+ home1 & ,i did n "k :at to d4 ,i ?\ght ( ev]y?+1 b c\ld n see my way out1 :5 ! ?\ght came to me1 ,/eal6 ,my si/] 0 sav+ up "s money to buy a suit1 & ,i knew :]e %e kept x & det]m9$ to get x4 ,t night ,i ent]$ h] room & took all ! money %e _h sav$4 ,no "o saw me b ,god1 b ! ,devil 0 !re ) me1 & said1 ,isn't x easy8 ,don't be a c[>d6 ,god doesn't c>e4 ,i knew "r d[n 9 my he>t t ,he did c>e1 & 9 aft] ye>s :5 ,i 0 w&]+ all ov] ! ,/ates ,i f\nd out h[ mu* ,he really c>$1 & ,i said1 ,praise ,8 "n6 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,back ,,y>d ,,on ,,! ,,b[]y4 ,illu/ration3 ,,"o ,,( ,,ranney',s ,,=m] ,,haunts4 ,,*apt] ,,iii ,,into ,,! ,,dep?s ,aft] ,i _h tak5 ?is money f my si/] ,i knew t ,i 0 suspect$4 ,i 0 accus$ ( tak+ x1 b ,i 0 gett+ h>d5$2 ,i _h lo/ my job ?r\gh ly+2 ,i 0 gett+ tir$ ( home2 ,i didn't c>e v mu* h[ ?+s w5t4 ,ab\t ?is "t my eld] si/] 0 m>ri$ & mov$ to ,new ,york4 ,h] husb& 0 a me*anic & made good money4 ,he lik$ me1 & :5 ! !ft 0 discov]$ ,i w5t & put up ) him1 /ay+ !re until ,i made money en\gh to leave1 !n ,i got out4 ,all ?is "t ,i 0 go+ f bad to worse1 my associates be+ ?ieves & crooks & gambl]s4 ,i %all nev] =get ! fir/ "t ,i 0 arre/$4 ,i 0 ) a h>d5$ crook1 & we _h made a haul ( "s hundr$ doll>s4 ,b z luck w\ld h x we 7 caught & s5t away = n9e mon?s on a te*nicality4 ,if we _h receiv$ our j dues ! l[e/ t]m w\ld h be5 five ye>s ea*4 ,i ?\ght my "t 9 prison w\ld nev] come to an end1 b x did at la/1 & ,i 0 free4 ,b :]e 0 ,i to g8 ,my "m _h mov$ to ,new ,york to be ne> my si/]1 s ,i w5t & call$ on !m4 ,"m ask$ me :]e ,i _h be54 ,i made "s k9d ( an excuse1 b ,i c\ld see by "m's eye t %e did n take mu* /ock 9 x4 ,i rema9$ at home1 & f9ally got "w 9 a fruit h\se on ,wa%+ton ,/reet1 at eight doll>s a week4 ,i 0 q /eady = a :ile1 & "m /ill _h hopes ( h] boy4 ,b ?r\gh ! same old company & dr9k ,i lo/ t job4 ,,m>riage ,ab\t ?is "t ,i ran across a girl :o ,i ?\ght w\ld make a good wife1 & we 7 m>ri$4 ,i 0 !n 9 ! crock]y bus9ess 9 a small way1 & if ,i _h /uck to bus9ess ,i %\ld be wor? some?+ n[4 ,i'll nev] =get ! day ( ! w$d+4 ,! say+ is1 ,happy is ! bride ! sun %9es on1 b !re 0 no sun%9e t day4 ,x ra9$1 x simply p\r$4 ,"m tri$ to get ! girl to ?r[ me ov]2 %e told h] ,i w\ld nev] make h] a good husb&2 & ,i guess ,m>y 0 sorry aft]w>d t %e did n take h] advice4 ,! night ( ! w$d+ we _h q a bl[\t1 & ,i 0 z drunk z ,i c\ld be4 ,i'd r+ 9 "r "h a bit ( advice to my girl read]s3 ,don't ev] try to conv]t a man--,i mean "o :o dr9ks--by m>ry+ him1 = 9 n9ety-n9e cases out ( a hundr$ y won't succe$4 ,9 my case ,i 0 "y & did n c>e h[ ! w9d blew4 ,i /ay$ out nights & neglect$ my home1 b ,i mu/ say1 bad z ,i 01 ,i nev] hit my wife4 ,i ?9k any man t raises 8 h& to hit a woman is worse ?an a cur1 & t he w c]ta9ly be puni%$ 9 "s way = x4 ,?+s w5t f bad to worse1 & "o day ,i came home to ! /ore & !re 0 no wife4 ,%e _h gone4 ,m>ri$ & des]t$ 9 two mon?s6 ,i felt sore1 & all ,i ?\ght ab\t 0 to get ev5 ) my wife4 ,i sold out ! bus9ess1 got a c\ple hundr$ doll>s toge!r1 & />t$ aft] h]4 ,i f\nd out t %e _h gone to ,oswego1 & ,i s5t h] a telegram & 0 met at ! /ation by h] bro!r4 ,x did n take me long to get next to him4 ,9 a v %ort "t ,i _h him ?9k+ !re 0 no "o l ,ranney4 ,m>y & ,i made up & ,i promis$ nev] to dr9k aga91 & we />t$ = ,new ,york4 ,my promises 7 easily brok51 = be=e we got to ,syracuse bo? h] bro!r & ,i 7 pretty drunk4 ,aft] rea*+ ,new ,york we w5t to "m's h\se & /ay$ !re until we got rooms1 :i* we did 9 a few days4 ,m>y's bro!r got "w 9 a lumb]y>d4 ,i hunt$ z usual = a job1 pray+ ,i w\ldn't get x4 ,i w5t hu/l+ lumb] & work$ two days1 leav+ because x took ! sk9 (f my h&s4 ,f9ally ,i c\ld n pay ! r5t1 0 dispossess$1 & !n w5t to live 9 ,hell's ,kit*51 9 ,?irty-n9? ,/reet1 :]e my son 0 born4 ,our fri5ds ?\ght ! baby w\ld br+ ,m>y & me clos] toge!r1 z x sometimes does4 ,b :at did ,i c>e = a baby6 ,i got "w on ,jake ,%>p's ,tw5ty-?ird ,/reet c>s1 & ,m>y w\ld br+ me my d9n] & d ev]y?+ %e c\ld = me4 ,b :5 dr9k is ! idol--& x 0 m9e--:at does "o c>e = love8 ,no?+4 ,i c]ta9ly l$ ,m>y a h>d life4 ,at la/ ,i came home "o night & %e & ! kid 7 gone4 ,! baby 0 !n two mon?s old1 & ,i nev] saw him aga9 until he 0 a boy ( n9e4 ,i 0 n sorry at _! go+4 ,i wasn't any good 9 ^? days4 ,i imag9$ ,i 0 done dirty1 z !y say1 b ,i knew ! girl c\ldn't d any?+ else = h]self & baby4 ,i sold out ! little furniture ! rooms conta9$1 got a few doll>s1 & jump$ ! t[n4 ,,w&]+s ,i />t$ out ) e "o's h& aga9/ me & m9e aga9/ e "o's4 ,i /ruck ,m>a?on1 ,n4 ,y41 & _h q a "t !re4 ,i work$ 9 ,dumphy's tann]y1 got a few weeks' pay & a few o!r articles1 & jump$ out = fe> ( be+ arre/$4 ,i rea*$ ,syracuse & /ruck a job 9 ,mc,chesney's lumb]y>d1 at #a4ce p] day4 ,i /ay$ 9 ,syracuse q a :ile & le>n$ a little ( ! lumb] bus9ess4 ,i _h q a few adv5tures :ile !re4 ,i _h /ruck up an acqua9tance ) a ,new ,york boy1 & "o ev5+ aft] "w we 7 sitt+ on ! grass 9 front ( "o ( ! hotels1 & see+ ! patrol wagon pass+1 ,i made ! rem>k1 ,"s poor bum is go+ to get a ride1 :5 x pull$ up 9 front ( u & we 7 told to get 94 ,i tri$ to argue ! po9t ) ! capta91 b x 0 ( no use4 ,we 7 tak5 to ! /ation1 & ! o!rs 7 s5t bel[ :ile ,i 0 kept up = exam9ation4 ,!y put me ?r\gh a light ?ird degree1 measur+ me & not+ ! color ( hair & eyes1 size ( feet1 etc4 ,f9ally !y /opp$ measur+ & ask+ que/ions1 & ,i wait$4 ,i saw my fri5d come up & g out ( ! door2 he did n take "t to bid me good-by4 ,i ask$ ! capta9 if he 0 ?r\gh ) me1 & he did n "k :at to say4 ,he apologiz$1 & expla9$ t ,i _h be5 arre/$ because ,i look$ l a man t _h escap$ f ,auburn4 ,i felt r sorry = ! capta91 n because ,i 0 n ! escap$ prison]1 b because he 0 s n]v\s4 ,i c\ld n leave him )\t a jolly1 s ,i said1 ,capta91 if y'll come up to ! corn] ,i'll treat1 patt+ my pocket 9 :i* ,i _h a few p5nies4 ,he ?ank$ me & said1 ,no4 ,i met ! capta9 e night tak+ 8 m5 z f> z ,sal9a ,/reet1 & we always salut$ "o ano!r4 ,my new pal c\ldn't be got up on ,ma9 ,/reet to ! po/(fice aga9 = any?+1 & z soon z he e>n$ money en\gh he took ! tra9 = little old ,new ,york4 ,i've met him on ! ,b[]y s9ce ,i became a mission>y !re1 & we did smile ab\t t ride 9 ! hurry-up wagon 9 ,syracuse4 ,f9ally ,i came back to ,new ,york1 aft] be+ away q a "t1 got "w 9 a c>pet factory1 & 0 q /eady = a :ile4 ,my poor de> "m 0 sick1 sometimes up & (t5times 9 b$4 ,i c /ill see h] & he> h] say1 ,david1 my poor boy1 ,i d wi% y w\ld /op y\r dr9k+4 ,i've pray$ = y1 & w pray until ,i die4 ,oh1 ,dave6 ,i'd die s happy if my only son w\ld /op & be a man6 ,b t curs$ appetite1 :at a hold x _h on me6 ,x seem$ z if ,i c\ldn't /op if ,i _h be5 giv5 all ! money 9 ! _w4 ,i did love my "m de>ly2 ,i didn't c>e = any "o 9 ! _w b h]4 ,/ill1 "o ( ! meane/ acts ,i ev] did 0 to my "m4 ,& su* a good "m %e 02 !re are n _m l h]6 ,%e 0 9 b$ & _h only a few weeks to live4 ,"o day %e call$ me to h] b$side & said1 ,dave1 ,i am go+ to leave y1 nev] to see y aga9 on ?is e>?1 b oh6 h[ ,i wi% y 7 go+ to meet me on ! o!r side4 ,n[1 ,dave1 won't y promise me y w8 ,i said1 ,yes1 "m1 sure ,i w4 ,& %e made me promise !n & !re t :5 %e 0 dead1 & wait+ burial1 ,i w\ld n get drunk1 at lea/ :ile h] body 0 9 ! h\se4 ,i w5t d[n on my knees & promis$ h] t ,i'd meet h] 9 heav54 ,%e di$1 & ! und]tak] _h be5 gone b a %ort "t :5 ,i began dr9k+1 & ! day ( ! fun]al ,i 0 pretty drunk4 ,t 0 "o ( ! meane/ ?+s ,i ev] did4 ,b ,i am sure t sometimes my de> "m looks ov] ! portals ( heav51 & sees h] boy--a man n[1 a ,*ri/ian--& =gives me4 ,& "s day1 :5 my "t comes1 ,i am go+ to jo9 h] !re4 ,i w5t f bad to worse1 w&]+ all ov]1 n c>+ :at happ5$4 ,i took a great _m *ances4 ,sometimes ,i _h pl5ty ( money1 & at o!r times ,i w\ldn't h a nickel ,i c\ld j+le aga9/ a tomb/one4 ,i boat$ on ! ,ohio & ,mississippi to ,new ,orleans1 !n up on ! ,lakes4 ,i 0 always w&]+1 b nev] at re/1 sometimes 9 prison1 & sometimes miles away f human habitation1 (t5 remorseful1 always wond]+ :at ! end w\ld be4 ,i recollect1 aft] be+ eighty-two days on ! riv] to ,new ,orleans1 be+ paid (f ) ov] #abe4 ,i left ! /eam] at ,pittsburg1 & ! fir/ ?+ ,i did 0 to g & get a jug ( be]4 ,be=e ,i got any:]e ne> drunk ,i 0 be=e ,judge ,:ite1 & 0 f9$ #h4dj1 & dis*>g$4 ,i wasn't free half an h\r be=e ,i 0 arre/$ aga91 br\ght be=e ,judge ,:ite1 & aga9 f9$ #h4dj4 ,aft] be+ free = ab\t fifte5 m9utes1 ,i 0 aga9 br\ght be=e ,judge ,:ite1 :o look$ at me ?is "t & said1 ,c't y keep sob]8 ,i said1 ,y\r ,honor1 ,i hav5't _h a dr9k s9ce ! fir/ "t4 ,& ,i hadn't4 ,b he said1 ,five days1 & ,i 0 %ut up = t "t1 & ,i 0 9 hell !re five days if ev] a man 04 ,out ( jail1 ,i drift$ ) ! tide4 ,i 0 arre/$ = a trick t1 if ,i _h got my j dues1 w\ld h put me 9 prison = t5 ye>s1 b ,i got (f ) ?ree ye>s1 & came out aft] do+ two ye>s & n9e mon?s4 ,:5 a p]son is coop$ up he has lots ( "t to ?9k4 ,x's ?9k1 ?9k1 ?9k1 & hope4 ,_m's ! "t ,i said1 ,oh1 if ,i only get out & /ill h my heal?1 :at a *ange !re w be6 ,& ,i meant x4 ,isn't x que] h[ p w say1 ,i c't /op dr9k+1 b :5 !y're 9 jail !y h to6 ,! prison is a sanit>ium = drunk>ds4 ,!y don't dr9k :ile on a visit !re4 ,!n :y n /op x :ile "o has a free foot8 ,i ?\ght ( all ^! ?+s :ile ,i 0 lock$ up1 & ,i decid$ t :5 ,i 0 free ,i w\ld hunt up my wife & baby & be a man4 ,prison at be/ isn't a pleasant place1 b y c get ! be/ 9 x if y behave4 ,!re's no coax+ y to be good4 ,!y won't say1 ,if y don't behave ,i'll s5d y home4 ,x isn't l s*ool4 ,y h to behave or x's worse = y1 = !y c]ta9ly put y ?r\gh "s pretty t\gh ?+s4 ,_m's ! "t ,i got on my knees & told ,god all ab\t x4 ,if a man is cross+ ! /reet1 sees a c> com+1 & is sure x w hit him1 ! fir/ ?+ he says is1 ,oh1 ,god1 save me6 ,! c> misses him by a foot1 & he =gets h[ mu* he owes4 ,he simply says1 ,?ank y1 ,god2 :5 ,i'm 9 dang] ,i'll call on ,y aga94 ,x 0 s ) me4 ,out 9 ! _w aga91 ,i =got all ab\t all ! promises ,i made 9 prison4 ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,b[]y ,,lodg+-,,h\se4 ,,*apt] ,,iv ,,sav$ ,,by ,,grace ,twelve ye>s lat]1 aft] a life sp5t on ! road & 9 prison1 ,i f\nd myself on ! ,b[]y1 9 ! fall ( #ahib1 )\t a fri5d1 d[n & out4 ,aft] sp5d+ my la/ doll> 9 ----'s saloon1 ,i 0 sitt+ d[n 9 ! back room ( t place1 wond]+ if ,i d>$ ask ---- = a dr9k1 :5 9 he walk$4 ,he look$ at me1 & said1 ,n[1 ,danny1 ,i ?9k y _h bett] get a move on6 ,get out & hu/le4 ,y are broke1 & y "k ,i am n runn+ ?is place = fun4 ,i took x k9d ( h>d1 b look$ at him & said1 ,all "r4 ,i got up f ! *air :]e ,i'd be5 sitt+ & walk$ out1 n c>+ :at ,i did1 b b\nd to get "s money4 ,n[1 ---- 0 a good fell[ 9 8 way2 !y all are if y h ! price2 b saloon-keep]s are n runn+ _! places = ! b5efit ( o!rs1 & :5 a man's money's gone !y don't want him ar\nd4 ,i _h sp5t all ,i _h1 ab\t tw5ty doll>s1 & n[ ,i 0 turn$ out1 & x s]v$ me "r4 ,n[ !re's some?+ 9 rum t fasc9ates1 some?+ we c't und]/&4 ,i want$ :iskey1 & 0 ready to d any?+ to get x4 ,! appetite 9 me 0 fi]ce4 ,no "o kn[s ! t]rible pangs1 ! great long+1 b "o :o has be5 up aga9/ x4 ,& no?+ c satisfy ! awful crav+ b :iskey4 ,,! ,,turn+-,,po9t ,_m's ! "t ,i've /ood on ! ,b[]y & curs$ ,god & ! day ,i 0 born1 & wi%$ t ,i 0 dead4 ,b "h ,i 06 ,nobody c>$ = me1 & :y %\ld !y1 = ,i did n c>e = myself4 ,i did n ev5 ?9k ,god c>$ mu* or ,he w\ld h done some?+4 ,i imag9$ ! ,devil ?\ght he _h me = keeps1 & s he did n ex]t himself v mu* ei!r4 ,i 0 out ( ! saloon1 on ! /reet1 & little z ,i imag9$ su* a ?+ w\ld ev] happ51 ,i nev] ent]$ ----'s saloon aga94 ,all unkn[n to me ! turn+-po9t 9 my life _h come4 ,siz+ up ! situation1 ,i knew ,i mu/ h a dr9k1 b h[ 0 ,i to get x8 ,up to ?is "t ,i'd done ev]y?+ on ! cal5d> except murd]1 & ,i don't "k h[ ,i miss$ t4 ,i've se5 m5 kill$1 h be5 9 a few %oot-ups myself1 & be> "s sc>s1 b ,i "k at ?is writ+ t ,god & a "m's pray]s sav$ me f ?is awful crime4 ,among ! _m accompli%m5ts suit$ to ! life ,i 0 lead+ 0 t ( a /rong-arm man1 & ,i det]m9$ to put x into use n[1 = ,i 0 desp]ate4 ,! rule 9 ?is da/>dly "w is always to select a man small] & weak] ?an "o's self4 ,z ,i look$ ab\t ,i saw a man com+ up ! ,b[]y :o seem$ to answ] to ! requirem5ts1 & ,i said to myself1 ,?is is my man6 ,i walk$ up to him & t\*$ him on ! %\ld]1 b z he /raight5$ up ,i saw t he 0 z big z myself1 & ,i hesitat$4 ,i w\ld h tak5 ! *ances ev5 !n1 b he />t$ back & ask$ :at ,i want$4 ,i said ,i 0 hungry1 ?9k+ t he w\ld put 8 h& 9 8 pocket1 & !n1 hav+ only "o h&1 ,i c\ld put ! /rangle hold on him4 ,b he 0 equal to ! situation4 ,he told me aft]w>d t ,i look$ dang]\s4 ,i ask$ him if he 0 ev] hungry4 ,he said1 ,_m's ! "t4 ,i told him ,i 0 />v+4 ,come ) me1 said he1 & we w5t ov] to ,*a?am ,squ>e1 to a place call$ ,beef/eak ,john's4 ,we w5t 9 & sat d[n1 & he said1 ,n[ ord] :at y want4 ,on ! ,b[]y 9 ^? days y c\ld get a pretty good meal = fifte5 c5ts--all y want$ to eat4 ,! wait] 0 !re to take my ord]4 ,i knew him & w9k$ to him to g away1 & he w5t4 ,he ?\ght ,i 0 go+ to "w ! "y fell[ = 8 money4 ,! "y fell[ said1 ,:y don't y call = some?+8 ,i ?\ght y 7 />v+4 ,n[ "h ,i 0 up aga9/ x4 ,i'd pann$ ?is man = some?+ to eat1 & he 0 will+ to pay = any?+ ,i want$1 & = ! life ( me ,i c\ld n swall[ any food4 ,:5 a man is dr9k+ he doesn't c>e to eat at a table4 ,give him a squ>e meal1 & he doesn't enjoy x4 ,i "k m5 to-day :o sp5d e doll> !y e>n = dr9k1 & eat no?+ b free lun*es1 h&$ out ) _! dr9ks4 ,t 0 :at 0 ! matt] ) me4 ,all ,i want$ 0 dr9k4 ,! "y man _h call$ my bluff1 & ,i _h no?+ to %[ b lies4 ,i sat !re wond]+ h[ ,i 0 go+ to get out ( ?is hole4 ,i 0 look+ at ! man & he at me1 :5 ! little good t 0 9 me cropp$ out1 & look+ him squ>e 9 ! eye ,i said1 ,"y fell[1 ,i've li$ to y4 ,i c\ld n eat ! fir/ m\?ful4 ,i told him ,i'd gone up to him ?9k+ he w\ld dig d[n 9 8 pocket & give me a little *ange4 ,i did n m5tion ! fact t ,i int5d$ to put him up 9 ! air & rob him4 ,!n ,i sat back 9 my *air & wait$ = ! come-back4 ,f9ally he said1 ,h "s c(fee & s9k]s--rolls4 ,b ,i c\ld n g ev5 t6 ,we got to talk+1 & he ask$ me :]e ,i 0 liv+4 ,i smil$ at ! idea ( my liv+6 ,i wasn't ev5 exi/+6 ,i told him ,i liv$ any place :]e ,i hung up my hat3 t ,i didn't put up at ! ,a/or ,h\se v (t52 sometimes at ! ,delevan1 or ! ,w9dsor1 or 9 fact1 any ( ! hotels on ! ,b[]y 7 good en\gh = me--t is1 if ,i _h ! price1 fifte5 c5ts4 ,y c get a b$ 9 a lodg+-h\se = t5 c5ts1 or if y h only sev5 c5ts y c get a flop4 ,y c sit 9 "s jo9t all night if y h a nickel1 b if y hav5't y c d ! next be/ ?+ 9 l9e1 & t is c>ry ! bann]4 ,?9k ( walk+ ! /reets all night & be+ oblig$ to keep mov+6 ,! man took a fifty-c5t piece out ( 8 pocket1 held x 9 8 h&1 & ask$ me if ,i w\ld meet him at ! ,broome ,/reet ,tab]nacle ! next morn+ at t5-?irty4 ,n[ ,i want$ t half-doll>1 ,i want$ x badly6 ,x meant t5 dr9ks to me at five p]4 ,i w\ld h promis$ to meet ! ,devil 9 hell = dr9k1 & fe>+ ! "y man might put ! money 9 8 pocket aga91 ,i said ,i'd be !re4 ,he gave me ! half-doll>1 we %ook h&s1 & ,i nev] expect$ to see t man aga94 ,i didn't g back to ----'s1 b to ---- ,b[]y--ano!r place t has put m m5 on ! d[n-grade ?an any place ,i "k4 ,x's out ( bus9ess n[1 & z ,i pass !re e day ,i pray t all ! saloons may g4 ,i drank ! half-doll> up 9 quick "t1 = ) ! ,b[]y elem5t x's divy ev5 ) dr9ks4 ,,broome ,,/reet ,,tab]nacle ,morn+ came1 & ,i wond]$ :at ,i %\ld d = ! day4 ,h[ ,i lov$ to /& & smell ! liquor1 ev5 :5 n dr9k+6 ,b n[ ,i hate x6 ,oh1 :at a *ange :5 ,*ri/ comes into a man's he>t6 ,i _h /ood !re all night 9 t saloon & didn't feel a bit tir$4 ,i w5t out to d "s "o else1 :5 ,i ?\ght ( ! fell[ ( la/ night4 ,i ?\ght ,i _h siz$ him up & t he 0 easy1 s ,i />t$ = ! meet+-place1 ! ,tab]nacle4 ,i w5t !re to see if ,i c\ld "w him = a doll>1 or p]haps two4 ,i got to ! *ur* & look$ = a side door & f\nd a bell :i* ,i rang4 ,i did n h to wait long be=e ! "y fell[ himself op5$ ! door4 ,out w5t 8 h&1 & he gave me su* a %ake t "o w\ld h ?\ght he _h kn[n me all my life4 ,!re's a lot 9 a h&%ake6 ,i'm glad to see y6 he said4 ,i knew y w\ld keep y\r promise4 ,i knew y w\ld come4 ,t took me back a little4 ,"h 0 a man ,i _h nev] se5 till ! night be=e tak+ me at my ^w4 ,i wond]$ :o he 04 ,we w5t into ! *ur*4 ,he 0 talk+ to make me feel at home4 ,f9ally he look$ me ov] f head to feet & said1 ,are ^? ! be/ clo!s y h8 ,i said1 ,^! are ! be/ & only clo!s ,i h4 ,i _h my trunk on my back1 & ! :ole kit1 %oes & all1 wasn't wor? fifty c5ts4 ,! way ( ! drunk>d is h>d4 ,i _h help$ put diamonds on ! saloon-keep] & rags on myself1 b if !re are any diamonds n[ ,i'll put !m on my own little wife & n ! saloon-keep]'s4 ,! "y man said1 ,i've a nice suit t w fit y4 ,w y let me give x to y8 ,"h 0 a situation t puzzl$ me4 ,i 0 an old (f5d]1 _h be5 up _m times & 0 well kn[n to ! police4 ,my record 0 bad1 & :5ev] !re 0 a robb]y or hold-up ! police w\ld r\nd up all ! ex-convicts & l9e u up at headqu>t]s = id5tification4 ,give a dog a bad "n & x /icks4 ,i 0 suspici\s2 a man t has done "t always is2 & :5 ! "y man said he _h clo!s = me1 ,i put him d[n z "o ( ! /ool pigeons work+ 9 ) ! police4 ,s9ce ,i'd graduat$ to ! ,b[]y do+ crook$ "w ,i imag9$ e "o 0 aga9/ me4 ,x 0 a case ( do+ o!rs or !y w\ld d me4 ,& ,i wond]$ :y ?is man took su* an int]e/ 9 me4 ,! m ,i ?\ght ! m puzzl$ ,i got4 ,i look$ ab\t me4 ,i 0 9 a *ur*2 :y %\ld he d me any h>m8 ,!n ,i ?\ght t if ,i put on ! clo!s he might slip an ,+]soll wat* into ! pocket1 let me get on ! /reet1 & !n %\t ,/op1 ?ief6 ,i'd be arre/$ & !n x w\ld be away up ! riv] = a good long bit4 ,h[ev]1 ,i'm a pretty good judge ( human nature1 & ,i ?\ght ,i'd take a *ance4 ,x 0 a f9e suit2 & ,i c\ld j see myself putt+ x 9 pawn1 s ,i said ,i'd take x4 ,b !re's _m a slip 'twixt ! cup & lip1 & !re 0 a /range slip 9 my case4 ,! "y fell[ said1 ,don't y ?9k y _h bett] h a ba?8 ,well1 ,i did ne$ a ba? = fair4 ,a man sleep+ 9 "o b$ "o night & a diff]5t "o ! next1 walk+ ! /reets & sitt+ ar\nd on p>k b5*es1 gets ?+s on him1 & !y are gr&p>5ts 9 a c\ple ( nights4 ,( c\rse ,i ne$$ a ba?6 ,i 0 a walk+ m5ag]ie6 ,he gave me "s money1 & ,i w5t out & _h a ba? & came back ) ! *ange4 ,he %[$ me :]e ,i c\ld *ange my clo!s1 & !re 0 a :ole outfit laid out = me1 und]we> & all4 ,i ?\ght ! man 0 crazy4 ,i c\ld n und]/&4 ,at la/ ,i got into ! clo!s1 & ,i felt f9e4 ,i got a look at myself 9 ! glass1 & ,i look$ l a full-fl$g$ ,b[]y politician4 ,i said z ,i look$1 ,is ?is me or "s o!r fell[8 ,i weigh$ "o hundr$ & n9ety p\nds & 0 five feet t5 in*es tall4 ,i w5t into ! "y man's /udy & sat d[n4 ,i did n "k :at 0 com+ next1 p]haps money4 ,i 0 ready = any?+1 = ,i took him = a millionaire's son4 ,up to ?is "t he _h said no?+ to me ab\t ,god4 ,f9ally he op5$ up & ask$ my "n4 ,i told him ,dave ,ranney1 b ,i _h a few o!rs to use 9 a p9*4 ,& ,i told him ! tru?2 k9dness _h won4 ,he said1 ,dave1 :y are y lead+ su* a life8 ,don't y "k y 7 cut out = a f> bett] "o8 ,i 0 no fool2 ,i knew all ab\t t4 ,i _h le>n$ x 9 ,sunday-s*ool1 & h[ (t5 "m _h told me ! same ?+4 ,i knew ,i 0 put into ! _w to get ! be/1 & glorify ,god2 & ,i 0 gett+ ! wor/1 & x 0 all my own fault4 ,"h ,i 04 ,i felt t no "o want$ any?+ to d ) me1 no "o w\ld tru/ me1 because ,i 0 a jail-bird4 ,b ,i h f\nd out s9ce !re are p t are will+ to help a man if !y see he is on ! level4 ,:y1 ,i said1 a man t has no back+ has no %[ 9 'little old ,new ,york4' ,y ev5 h to h a pull to get a job %ovel+ sn[1 & !n y h to buy y\r own %ovel6 ,:at does any "o c>e8 ,! politicians h all !y want & are only look+ = m graft4 ,!y ne$ y j twice a ye> to regi/] & vote4 ,i "k ,i'm crook$1 & x's my own fault1 ,i admit1 b :o's go+ to give me a *ance8 ,oh1 = a *ance6 ,! "y fell[ li/5$1 !n said1 ,dave1 !re's ,"o t w help4 ,i did n cat* on to 8 mean+1 b said ,i 0 glad & ?ank$ him = :at he _h done4 ,i ?\ght he meant himself4 ,n ,i1 he said2 ,i mean ,god4 ,:y don't y give ,him a *ance8 ,talk ab\t m5 giv+ y a *ance--:y1 ,god is wait+ = a *ance to help y6 ,j !n my old fri5d ! ,devil came 92 he always does :5 he ?9ks he is go+ to lose a conv]t2 & he said 9 8 own f9e way1 ,oh1 :at rot6 ,:y didn't ,god help y be=e ?is8 ,don't bo!r ab\t x2 y h a nice suit2 get out ( ?is place & sell ! duds & h a good "t4 ,i'll help y4 ,i'll be y\r fri5d4 ,he's sly1 b ,i put him beh9d me t "t4 ,x 0 easy en\gh = ?is man to talk ab\t ,god giv+ me a *ance1 b he didn't "k me--a h>d1 wick$ s9n]1 :o if half ! crimes ,i _h committ$ 7 kn[n ,i'd be put 9 prison = life4 ,w\ld ,god help su* a "o8 ,i knew ,i 0 clean & _h a good suit ( clo!s on1 b1 oh6 h[ ,i wi%$ ,god w\ld give me ano!r *ance6 ,b ,i felt z if ,he _h no use = me4 ,! man put 8 h& on my %\ld] & said1 ,i want to be y\r fri5d2 w y let me8 ,i said ,i'd be pr\d ( su* a fri5d4 ,n[1 ,dave1 he said1 !re's ,"o bett] ?an ,i :o w /ick to y clos] ?an a bro!r2 w y let ,him be y\r fri5d8 ,i said ,i w\ld1 ?\gh ,i d\bt$ if ,he want$ any "p ( me1 b ,i 0 go+ to make a try2 & ! "y man & myself knelt d[n 9 ! ,tab]nacle1 corn] ( ,broome ,/reet & ,c5tre ,m>ket ,place1 on ! #af? ( ,septemb]1 #ahib1 & ,i ask$ ,god to h m]cy on me1 cut ! dr9k out ( my life1 & make a man ( me1 if su* a ?+ c\ld be done1 = ,*ri/'s sake4 ,i kept pray+ t ov] & ov] aga91 ! man /ill kneel+ ) me1 :5 all ( a sudd5 ,i he>d a voice say1 ,i w1 ,dave2 only tru/ ,me & h fai?4 ,i he>d ^? words j z sure z ,i am liv+1 & writ+ ?is book4 ,none b a ,*ri/ian c und]/& ?is voice2 o!rs w\ld say we are crazy :o say su* ?+s2 b x's true3 only h fai?1 & all ?+s are y\rs4 ,i've prov$ x6 ,a ,,new ,,man ,,9 ,,*ri/ ,,jesus ,i rose f my knees a *ang$ man4 ,i c't expla9 x1 b ,i felt z ,i hadn't felt 9 ye>s--light]1 happi]1 ) a peace t 0 great 9 my he>t4 ,i ?\ght ( "m & only wi%$ %e c\ld see me !n1 b %e did all "r4 ,:at w y\r fri5ds say8 !re 0 ! old ,devil say+4 ,get out ( ?is place1 & don't be a fool2 be a man4 ,i /ood !re li/5+ to ! tempt]1 :5 ! "y fell[ said1 ,dave1 :at are y go+ to d n[ t y h tak5 ,jesus8 ,i said1 ,i've knelt "h & ask$ ,god = ,*ri/'s sake to make me a sob] man1 & ,i fully believe t ,he w4 ,dr9k has br\ght me d[n1 & ,i'll die be=e ,i'll take ano!r dr9k4 ,& at ?is writ+ ,i'm ov] sev5te5 ye>s (f ! /uff4 ,i ask$ ! "y fell[ :at 8 "n 01 & f\nd t he 0 ,alex&] ,irv9e1 lodg+-h\se mission>y to ! ,b[]y "u ! ,new ,york ,city ,mission ( :i* ,dr4 ,s*auffl] is ! head4 ,we %ook h&s1 & be=e we p>t$ we made a compact t we w\ld be pals4 ,isn't x wond]ful :at ,god c d8 ,i don't believe !re's a man or woman1 no matt] h[ wick$1 no matt] :at s9 !y've done1 b ,god c & w save1 ! only conditions be+3 ,come1 believe1 & tru/4 ,= ,god s lov$ ! _w t ,he gave ,8 only-begott5 ,son1 t :osoev] believe? 9 ,him %\ld n p]i%1 b h ev]la/+ life4--,john #c3af4 ,b y h to h "s s& ( y\r own4 ,illu/ration3 ,,read+-,,room ,,9 ,a ,,lodg+-,,h\se4 ,,*apt] ,v ,,on ,,! ,,up ,,grade ,mr4 ,irv9e paid = my lodg+ & meals = a week at #aje ,b[]y4 ,i ?\ght he 0 great2 ,i'd nev] run up aga9/ any?+ l him4 ,he said1 ,we mu/ get y a job ( "s k9d1 & t quick4 ,w y "w8 ,well1 :at d y ?9k ( t6 ,w\ld ,i "w8 ,x /ruck me z funny4 ,"w & ,i _h fall5 out long ago4 ,i c\ld lie d[n beside "w & wat* ! o!r fell[ d x4 ,i _h rea*$ ! po9t :]e1 l a good _m o!rs1 ,i felt ! _w ow$ me a liv+1 & ,i 0 b\nd to get x4 ,i _h toil$ h>d & fai?fully = ! ,devil1 & tak5 a great _m *ances1 & ,i nev] ?\ght ( t z "w4 ,& ,i got ! wages ! ,devil always pays--cuts1 %ot1 prison3 ,i 0 paid good & pl5ty4 ,"h ,i 0 up aga9/ ano!r proposition--"w--& ,i hat$ x6 ,irv9e said1 ,y mu/ h some?+ to occupy y\r m9d & "t1 = y "k ! ,devil f9ds mis*ief = idl]s4 ,i said ,i'd tackle any?+2 ,i'd "w all "r4 ,a few days lat] he told me he _h a job = me4 ,good1 ,i said4 ,i wond]$ :at k9d ( "w x 04 ,i knew x 0 n a position ( great tru/1 n a ca%i] 9 a bank2 t w\ld h to come lat] on4 ,well1 ! job 0 t5d+ a furnace--get up /eam at #e ,a4 ,m41 d ! *ores1 & make myself g5]ally useful2 wages #ab4jj p] mon? & my breakfa/6 ,i did n l ?is = a />t]1 & ,i told ,mr4 ,irv9e s1 & he _h to d "s tall talk+4 ,he f9ally got angry & said1 ,ranney1 y />t$ out to let ,god help y4 ,well1 y "k ,god helps ! man t helps himself4 ,t 0 s4 ,i _h ask$ ,god to help me1 & "h ,i 0 at ! />t refus+ to give ,him a *ance4 ,t cl9*$ x1 & ,i took ! fir/ hone/ job ,i _h _h 9 a good _m ye>s4 ,i ?ank ,god ,i did take x1 = x 0 a /epp+-/one4 ,,fi%+ ,,= ,a ,,d9n] ,i />t$ 9 work+ & 0 gett+ on f9e1 b ,i always felt ,i wasn't gett+ money en\gh4 ,i tri$ 9 my leisure "t = ano!r job1 b 9 all ! places ,i 0 ask$ ! same "q3 ,:]e did y "w la/8 ,i c\ld n tell !m1 ,9 prison & on ! road1 & t que]$ me4 ,s ,i /uck to ! furnace1 0 always on "t1 & 0 pretty well lik$ by ! p4 ,i _h be5 !re ab\t two weeks1 & se5 ! cook e day & smell$ ! /eak1 etc41 ab\t noontime & at supp]1 b ! cook nev] ask$ me if ,i _h a m\? on me4 ,%e 0 a good-natur$ outspok5 ,iri% woman ) a good big he>t1 & ,i ?\ght ab\t ?is "t t ,i'd jolly h] a little & get my d9n]4 ,"o day ,i came up f ! cell> c>ry+ a hod ( coal 9 ea* h&1 & go+ into ! kit*5 ,i tri$ 9 e way to attract h] att5tion1 b %e 0 busy broil+ a /eak & nev] look$ ar\nd4 ,f9ally ,i got tir$ & said1 ,cook1 :]e w ,i put ?is coal8 ,well1 well1 ,i'll nev] =get t mom5t 9 ye>s6 ,%e turn$ & look$ at me & began1 ,i want y to und]/& my "n is ,mrs4 ,cunn+ham4 ,i'm none ( y\r cooks1 & if y d>e call me cook aga9 :ile y're 9 ?is h\se ,i'll h y sack$--dis*>g$6 ,i ?\ght ,i _h be5 hit ) a /eam c>4 ,i did n answ] h] back1 & %e kept "r on3 ,i'm a lady1 & ,i'll be treat$ z su* or ,i'll "k :y6 ,i nev] saw a p]son s mad 9 all my life1 & ,i c\ldn't und]/& :y4 ,!re %e 0 cook+1 & yet %e 0 no cook6 ,i ?\ght to myself1 ,i guess %e doesn't l h] job4 ,i didn't blame h]1 because ,i didn't l m9e ei!r4 ,my he>t w5t d[n into my boots4 ,"h ,i _h made a play = a d9n] & got left4 ,ab\t a week aft] ?is ,i 0 do+ a little job 9 ! laundry :5 ,i ran across ! cook1 & %e said1 ,"y man1 w\ld y l a little bite to eat8 ,i answ]$ quickly1 ,yes1 ?ank y1 ,mrs4 ,cunn+ham1 j z sweet z any?+4 ,no m cook = m9e4 ,i'll nev] call p by _! occupation aga9 z long z ,i live4 ,i'd _h my lesson2 b ,i _h won out on my d9n] too4 ,a %ort "t aft] %e ask$ me if ,i c\ld read1 & w\ld ,i read ! news to h] :ile %e 0 peel+ potatoes4 ,i answ]$ v sweetly1 ,yes1 ,mrs4 ,cunn+ham1 & ,i got my supp]4 ,i w\ld see ,irv9e once 9 a :ile1 & ,i 0 always ready to give up my job1 b he w\ld say1 ,/ay six mon?s1 get a recomm5d1 & !n y c get some?+ bett]4 ,j let ,god take c>e ( y1 & y'll come out away on top ( ! heap4 ,god is go+ to use y 9 ,8 "w4 ,j keep on tru/+ & don't get disc\rag$4 ,he always _h a ^w ( *e]1 & ,i ?ank ,god t ,i did tru/1 & ?+s came out bett] ?an ,i ev5 ?\ght4 ,y read]s :o are j />t+ out 9 ! ,*ri/ian life1 j let ,god h ,8 way4 ,don't ?9k y "k x all4 ,g "r ahead1 h a little s&1 & tru/ ,him4 ,he w nev] leave y1 & y w h ! be/ 9 ?is life & 9 ! life to come4 ,x's an ev]la/+ joy1 & isn't x wor? work+ =1 boys8 ,,pray]s ,,9 ,a ,,lodg+-,,h\se ,i rememb]1 :5 ,i knelt d[n 9 #aje ,b[]y beside my cot to ask ,god's bless+ & guidance1 h[ a laugh us$ to g ar\nd ! dormitory4 ,!re 7 ab\t sev5ty b$s 9 ! place1 & x 0 some?+ unusual to see a man on 8 knees pray+4 ,b :5 ,i />t$ out to be a man ,i meant bus9ess1 & ,i said ,i w\ld say my pray]s e night4 ,i don't ?9k ,god c ?9k mu* ( a man :o says 8 pray]s ly+ on 8 back1 unless he's sick4 ,i believe ,god expects u to get on our knees1 = if a ?+ is wor? gett+ x's wor? ?anks4 ,i didn't m9d ! laugh s mu*1 b ,i did "s3 x 0 sort ( cutt+4 ,i'm no c[>d physically1 & c h&le myself fairly well at ! pres5t "t1 b :5 x came to gett+ on my knees ,i 0 a rank c[>d4 ,a lodg+-h\se is a que] affair4 ,m5 ( all nations sleep !re--"s drunk1 "s dream+ al\d1 o!rs snor+4 ,! cots are ab\t two feet ap>t--j room = y to pass betwe5 !m4 ,x takes a lot ( grit & pl5ty ( ,god's grace to live a ,*ri/ian life 9 a lodg+-h\se4 ,i g 9 !m e day n[ to look aft] ! o!r fell[3 if he is sick or wants to g to ! hospital ,i'll see to t2 b ,i nev] c =get ! "t :5 ,i 0 "o ( ^?1 inmates4 ,"o night ,i _h j got on my knees :5 boots1 %oes1 & pill[s came sail+ at me2 "o boot hit me1 & x did hurt = fair4 ,!n a :iskey flask hit me1 & t hurt4 ,i 0 boil+ ) rage4 ,i got up1 b ,i didn't say any?+2 no "o w\ld h answ]$ me if ,i _h2 !y 7 all asleep1 by ! way4 ,we call su* bus9ess haz+1 b x's mean & dirty4 ,i w5t to "w z usual ! next day1 & ?\ght & plann$ all day h[ to cat* "o ( ^? fell[s4 ,i figur$ out ! foll[+ plan3 ,i did n g to b$ t night until q late2 ! gas 0 turn$ d[n l[1 & ,i made noise en\gh = !m to he> me4 ,:5 ,i 0 ready = b$ ,i knelt d[n & turn$ my head z quick z a fla% to cat* ! ?r[]s1 = ,i knew !y w\ld ?r[ aga94 ,j z ,i turn$ ,i caught ! fell[ 9 ! act ( ?r[+ a bottle4 ,x seem$ z ?\gh ! ,devil _h got me = fair aga91 = ,i made a ru% = t fell[1 got him by ! ?roat1 pull$ him out ( b$ & jump$ on him1 & ,i ?9k if x hadn't be5 = ! wat*man ,i w\ld h kill$ him2 b he said1 ,dan1 = ,god's sake don't kill him6 ,i let up1 &1 /&+ ^u t dormitory floor1 b$s all ar\nd1 e "o awake1 ab\t #aa ,p4 ,m41 ,i gave my fir/ te/imony1 :i* 0 some?+ l ?is3 ,m51 ,i've quit dr9k+--be5 (f ! /uff ab\t two weeks1 a ?+ ,i h n done 9 ye>s unless lock$ up4 ,i've knelt & ask$ ,god to keep me sob] & h ?ank$ ,him = ,8 k9dness to me4 ,n[ if y m5 don't let me alone 9 ! future ,i'll lick y or y w me4 ,i w5t to my cot & knelt d[n1 b ,i 0 s /irr$ up ,i c\ldn't pray4 ,i wond]$ if !re 0 go+ to be any m ?r[+1 b t night f9i%$ x4 ,i w5t up 9 ! op9ion ( ^? m5 "o hundr$ p] c5t4 ,i liv$ !re until ! place burn$ d[n1 & 0 "o ( ! =tunate ones t got out alive :5 s _m lo/ _! lives1 & ,i always said my pray]s & 0 respect$ by ! m54 ,i 0 mak+ lots ( fri5ds & att5d+ ,sunday-s*ool1 pray]-meet+1 & mission s]vices4 ,,! ,,/ory ,,( ,,an ,,ov]coat ,"o ,?anksgiv+-"t ,i 0 hir$ to c>ry d9n]s to ! poor families by ! ,new ,york ,city ,mission4 ,mrs4 ,lucy ,ba9bridge 0 ! sup]9t5d5t4 ,god bless h]1 = %e 0 & is "o good woman6 ,i didn't h any ov]coat & x 0 cold2 b ,i didn't m9d1 z ,i 0 mov+ ab\t c>ry+ ! d9n]s4 ,?is 0 ab\t two mon?s aft] ,i _h decid$ to foll[ ,*ri/1 & ,i /ill _h ! furnace job :5 ,i met ,mrs4 ,ba9bridge4 ,%e knew me by sight & ask$ me h[ ,i 0 gett+ on1 & :]e 0 my ov]coat8 ,i told h] ,i 0 gett+ along all "r1 b ,i _h no ov]coat4 ,%e said1 ,t's too bad6 ,come ) me & we w see if !re's "o 9 ! ,dorcas ,room--a place :]e clo!s are kept t good p s5d 9 = ! poor :o hav5't s mu*4 ,!re 7 q a few coats !re1 any "o ( :i* w\ld h suit$ me1 b !y didn't please ,mrs4 ,ba9bridge4 ,%e said1 ,david1 come into ! (fice4 ,%e gave me a lett] to ,rog]s1 ,peet ,co41 & told me to take x d[n !re & wait = an answ]4 ,i w5t d[n & gave ! lett] to a cl]k1 & x 0 great to see him eye me up4 ,i didn't "k !n h[ ! lett] read1 b h s9ce le>n$ t ! cont5ts 7 z foll[s3 ,give ?is man ab\t ! be/ ov]coat y h 9 ! /ore4 ,no wond] he look$ me ov]6 ,we began try+ on coats1 f\nd "o t suit$ u1 & he said1 ,y might z well we> x home4 ,n on y\r natural6 ,i said4 ,put x 9 pap] or a box4 ,i didn't ?9k t coat 0 = me1 = x 0 fifty doll>s if a c5t4 ,picture me ) twelve doll>s p] mon? & ?ree meals1 & a fifty-doll> ov]coat6 ,i w5t back to ,mrs4 ,ba9bridge1 & %e told me to try ! coat on1 :i* ,i did4 ,!n %e said1 ,david1 t coat is = y1 b li/51 ,david2 t coat is m9e4 ,n[ ,i w\ldn't g into a saloon1 & ,i want y to promise me t y w nev] ent] a saloon :ile y we> x4 ,i promis$1 & t coat nev] w5t into a saloon1 & ,i wore x = five ye>s4 ,!n ,i s5t x to old ,irel&1 to my wife's fa!r1 & p]haps he is /ill we>+ x4 ,i (t5 see ,mrs4 ,ba9bridge1 & %e is always ! same k9d fri5d1 ,god bless h]6 ,i h entry to ! ,dorcas ,room :5 ,i ne$ any?+ to help a man t ,i'm try+ to put on 8 feet1 & t's (t54 ,,deliv]+ ,,telephone ,,books ,x 0 com+ spr+ & ,i 0 no long] ne$$ at ! furnace4 ,i left ) a recomm5dation = six mon?s & a /&+ invitation f ! cook = my meals1 & %e nev] w5t back on me4 ,i don't "k :]e %e is n[1 b if %e reads ?is book ,i want h] to "k t ,i appreciat$ all %e did = me :5 ,i />t$ ?is new life & ,i am sure %e w be delight$ to "k t %e help$ a little4 ,i got ano!r job deliv]+ telephone books4 ,:5 y see a poor se$y-look+ man deliv]+ ^! books1 give him a k9d ^w1 = !re's _m a good man at t job to-day hop+ = some?+ bett]4 ,?is job 0 a h>d "o & y _h to hu/le to make a doll> a day1 b ,i did n m9d ! hu/l+3 ,i 0 /rong1 ! dr9k _h gone out ( me1 & ,i felt good4 ,i 0 anxi\s to get a job z port] 9 "s :olesale h\se1 & deliv]+ ^! books gave me a good *ance to ask1 & ask ,i did 9 ne>ly e /ore :]e ,i deliv]$ a book4 ,i always got ! same reply1 ,no "o want$4 ,i /ay$ at ?is ab\t ?ree mon?s1 & 0 gett+ disc\rag$4 ,x look$ z ?\gh ,i'd nev] get a /eady position4 ,i _h only a few m days ( "w1 & 0 j f9i%+ my deliv]ies "o aft]noon4 ,i _h ,tw5ty-second ,/reet & ,nor? ,riv] z my la/ deliv]y1 :i* took me into ! lumb] di/rict & into ! (fice ( ,john ,mc,c----4 ,i ask$ ! "y man 9 *>ge ( ! (fice if !y want$ a "y fell[ to "w4 ,he ask$ me :at ,i c\ld d1 & ,i said1 ,any?+4 ,n[ x's an old say+1 ,a man t c d ev]y?+ c't d mu* ( any?+4 ,we w5t d[n into ! y>d & he ask$ me ! diff]5t qualities ( lumb] & _! names4 ,i'll nev] =get ! fir/ "q he ask$ me1 :i* 01 ,:at's ! "n ( t piece ( timb]8 ,i said1 ,oak1 & ,i 0 "r4 ,aft] te/+ me on ! o!r piles he ask$ me if ,i c\ld measure1 & c\ld ,i tally8 ,i told him ,i c\ld1 & he said1 ,i'll give y #i4jj4 ,is t en\gh8 ,i said t w\ld d = a />t]1 & he told me to be on h& at sev5 o'clock 9 ! morn+4 ,i deliv]$ ! few books ,i _h left1 drew my money1 got a %ave1 b\ght a lea!r apron1 & w5t to b$4 ,i 0 up & at ,john ,mc,c----'s y>d at #f3cj4 ,he 0 ,police ,commission] !n1 & "o ( ! :ite/ m5 ,i ev] ran up aga9/4 ,i />t$ 9 at my ?ird job s9ce ,i _h be5 conv]t$4 ,i 0 at home 9 ! lumb] y>d1 z ,i _h le>n$ ! bus9ess ,:ile r\gh+ x 9 ,tonaw&a1 ,troy1 ,syracuse1 ,buffalo1 & on ! ,lakes4 ,& :5 a man le>ns any?+1 if he isn't a fool he c always "w at x aga94 ,"h ,i 0 at a bus9ess few c\ld tell me mu* ab\t4 ,,te/ify+ ,,9 ,a ,,lumb] ,,y>d ,! lumb]-h&l]s z a rule are a free & easy set1 ne>ly all dr9k+ m54 ,x's w>m "w1 & :5 a man is pil+ all day1 pull+ up plank aft] plank1 he ?9ks a p9t ( be] does him good4 ,!y ru% ! c--fir/ ! pil]1 !n ! /ag]1 & !n ! gr\nd man1 !n ! pil] aga91 & s on4 ,i've c\nt$ z _m z tw5ty p9ts 9 "o day among "o gang4 ,i soon got ! run ( ! y>d & made fri5ds ) all ! m52 b if ev] ,i 0 up aga9/ temptation x 0 !re 9 t y>d1 :]e ,i work$ a long "t4 ,!y w\ld ask me to h a dr9k1 b ,i told !m "t & "t aga9 t ,i did n c>e ab\t x2 ,i 0 (f ! /uff4 ,(t5 :5 ,i 0 sweat+ aft] pu%+ d[n a load ( lumb] f ! pile & keep+ tally at ! same "t1 ! ,devil w\ld :isp] to me1 ,oh1 h a glass ( be]2 x won't hurt y2 x w d y good1 & ,i 0 tempt$ to jo9 ) ! m5 & dr9k4 ,i _h to keep pray+ h>d & fa/1 = ,i 0 sorely tempt$4 ,b1 ?ank ,god1 ,i've yet to take my fir/ dr9k s9ce #ahib6 ,god 0 always ne> me1 & ,he (t5 said1 ,tell ! m5 all ab\t x1 h[ y h ask$ ,me to help y1 & !y won't ask y to dr9k any m4 ,i wond]$ :at ! m5 w\ld say if ,i told !m4 ,i 0 a little timid ab\t do+ x4 ,i _h te/ifi$ once or twice 9 a meet+1 b t 0 easy comp>$ ) ?is4 ,b aft] a :ile ,i got up c\rage & told ! m5 :y ,i did n dr9k4 ,i said1 ,i h be5 a h>d man & lov$ dr9k s mu* t x sep>at$ me f family & fri5ds1 put me 9 prison1 & took my manhood away4 ,"o ye> ago ,i took ,jesus z my help] & ask$ ,him to take away ?is love = dr9k1 & ,he did4 ,i w\ld r lose my "r arm ?an g back aga91 & ) ,god's help ,i'll w9 out & nev] dr9k aga94 ,i (t5 talk$ ) !m ab\t x1 told !m x 0 a good way to live1 & to ?9k x ov]4 ,i f\nd out 9 a little :ile t ! m5 ?\ght bett] ( me1 & respect$ me m ?an be=e4 ,i h he>d "s ( !m say1 ,i wi% ,i c\ld give up ! dr9k1 & "s did1 & are liv+ good lives )\t ! curs$ /uff4 ,i've met "s ( ^! m5 on ! ,b[]y1 d[n & out1 & ,i've /ood by !m & tri$ to po9t !m 9 ! "r direction4 ,!re's "o man1 a f9e noble fell[1 :o us$ to "w ) me 9 my lumb] days1 :o is on ! ,b[]y at ! pres5t "t1 unable to give up ! dr9k4 ,he is always glad to see me & says1 ,god bless y1 ,dan1 & keep y away f ! /uff4 ,i wi% ,i c\ld6 ,i tell him to ask ,god & h fai?1 & !n ,i slip him a meal ticket & give him a ,god bless y6 ,illu/ration3 ,,mr4 ,,ranney ,,& ,,"o ,,( ,,8 ,,boys4 ,,dave ,,ranney1 ,,alias ,,danny ,,reilly4 ,,*apt] ,,vi ,,promot$ ,i _h nev] lo/ sight ( my fri5d ,irv9e4 ,we us$ to see ea* o!r (t5 & h a good *at ab\t ?+s 9 g5]al4 ,he said he 0 go+ to take *>ge ( ! ,sea & ,l& ,*ur* & want$ me to come & be ! sexton4 ,x w\ld give me #cj4jj p] mon?1 rooms1 coal & gas4 ,he ?\ght x w\ld be a good ?+ = me to become reunit$ to my wife ,m>y1 & ,i ?\ght s too1 b %e _h to give h] cons5t4 ,we _h be5 sep>at$ = a numb] ( ye>s1 & ?\gh ,i _h be5 call+ on h] = ov] a ye> %e nev] took any /ock 9 my conv]sion4 ,"h ,i 0 fifte5 mon?s a r$eem$ man1 try+ to get my wife to live ) me aga94 ,i pray$ (t51 b ,i nev] ?\ght %e w\ld cons5t4 ,,*ur* ,,( ,,sea ,,& ,,l& ,i 0 m>ri$ "y1 & %e 0 only a girl1 & ?\gh %e lov$ me %e c\ld n =get ! mis]y & h>d%ips %e w5t ?r\gh4 ,i nev] hit h] 9 my life1 b ,i w\ldn't support h]3 ,i'd r support ! rumsell] & 8 family1 all = t curs$ dr9k4 ,& ,i didn't blame h] = be+ afraid to *ance x aga94 ,a burnt *ild dreads ! fire4 ,i _h made h] life v h>d1 & %e 0 afraid4 ,%e 0 glad to "k t ,i _h giv5 up dr9k1 b d\bt$ my rema9+ sob]4 ,f9ally %e agre$ to live ) me aga9 if ,i rema9$ sob] = ?ree ye>s4 ,i 0 put on probation--! ,me?odi/ way4 ,n[ ,i _h be5 on ! level = fifte5 mon?s1 & ,i _h tw5ty-"o mon?s m to g4 ,%e 0 /rong-m9d$ & w\ld /ick to h] ^w1 s ,i did n see h[ ,i c\ld take ! job z sexton4 ,i told ,mr4 ,irv9e t 0 ! way ?+s /ood & = him to get "s "o else4 ,he said1 ,pretty slim *ances1 b we w pray ab\t x4 ,he & ,i w5t up to ,sixty-sev5? ,/reet1 :]e ,mrs4 ,ranney 0 work+ z laundress1 & aft] a little talk we came to ! po9t4 ,i 0 a g-ahead man1 & tri$ e way to get h] to promise to come d[n1 b %e w\ldn't say yes4 ,i'll nev] =get t night 9 ! laundry if ,i live a hundr$ ye>s2 %e took no /ock 9 me at all4 ,i 0 giv+ x up z a bad job2 %e w\ldn't come1 & t settl$ x4 ,we got up to g :5 ,mr4 ,irv9e ask$ if %e w\ld object to a ^w ( pray]4 ,%e said1 ,no1 & we _h a little pray]-meet+ "r !re4 ,we bade ,mrs4 ,ranney good-night & left4 ,! next night %e came d[n & we %[$ h] all ov] ! *ur*4 ,! sexton :o _h be5 liv+ !re hadn't kept ! liv+ ap>tm5ts clean1 & %e did n l !m v mu*1 b :5 %e w5t away %e said1 ,if ,i only c\ld be sure y w\ld keep sob] ,i w\ld g ) y1 b ,i c't dep5d on y4 ,fifte5 mon?s isn't long en\gh2 y w h to g ?ree ye>s4 ,i don't ?9k ,i'll come4 ,i said1 ,t settles x6 ,b li/53 :e!r y come or n1 ,i am n go+ back to ! old life4 ,! next day ,i receiv$ a telegram f ,m>y say+1 ,,come ,,up ,,= ,,my ,,?+s4 ,i jump$ on a s+le truck1 drove up to ,sixty-sev5? ,/reet1 & got all my wife's ?+s1 trunks1 b&-boxes & ev]y?+1 & x did n take me long to get d[n to ! *ur*4 ,m>y 0 already !re1 & ,i took *>ge ( ! ,*ur* ( ! ,sea & ,l& at ,m>ket & ,h5ry ,/reets1 :]e ,i rema9$ z sexton = t5 ye>s4 ,i w\ld n take #aj1jjj = ! "* ,i receiv$ f ! tru/ees :5 ,i resign$4 ,i always look back ) pleasure to ^? good old days at ! *ur*1 ! _m fri5ds we made1 & ! _m bless+s ,i receiv$ :ile !re4 ,x did n take u long to get ! run ( ! place4 ,we s5t = our boy1 :o 0 9 ,irel& ) 8 "m's folks4 ,:5 he came ,i didn't "k him1 z ,i hadn't se5 him s9ce he 0 a little baby4 ,:at a surprise x 0 :5 at my si/]'s h\se1 aft] supp]1 %e w5t into ! front room1 leav+ me alone 9 ! kit*51 :5 a manly little fell[ came 9 & look$ me ov] & said1 ,hello1 fa!r1 ,i'm y\r son ,willie4 ,h[ are y8 ,i look$ at him1 b c\ldn't say a ^w1 = ,i _h almo/ =gott5 t ,i _h a son4 ,i op5$ my arms & ! boy came ) a ru%1 ?rew 8 arms ar\nd my neck1 & said1 ,i love y1 dad4 ,i want to say "h t ?is boy has nev] giv5 me any tr\ble & we h be5 companions ev] s9ce t night4 ,he m>ri$ a good ,*ri/ian girl & is 9 8 own home to-day4 ,i he>d a little laugh1 & !re 7 my si/] & ,m>y tak+ x all 94 ,i c\ld see !n t x 0 a put-up job1 ?is gett+ me to g up to my si/]'s h\se4 ,"t pass$ & we 7 do+ f9ely4 ,"o day we he>d ! boy play+ ! piano1 & we got him a tea*]4 ,9 a %ort "t he 0 able to play = ! small] classes1 ! juniors4 ,!n my fri5d ,mrs4 ,ba9bridge got him a bett] tea*]4 ,he improv$ rapidly1 & n[ he is organi/ 9 ! ,fifty-sev5? ,/reet ,presbyt]ian ,*ur*4 ,i tell y x pays to be a ,*ri/ian & on ! level4 ,if ,i hadn't done any?+ else b give t boy a musical education1 x w\ld h paid4 ,i'm pr\d ( him4 ,,my ,,fir/ ,,s]mon ,i rememb] ! fir/ meet+ ,i ev] l$4 ,x came ab\t l ?is3 ,i _h be5 sexton ( ,sea & ,l& ,*ur* ab\t f\r ye>s1 0 gr[+ 9 grace & gett+ on f9ely4 ,"o ,w$nesday night ! m9i/] ask$ me if ,i w\ld lead ! pray]-meet+ ! foll[+ week1 z he 0 go+ away4 ,i told him ,i did n "k h[ to lead a meet+ & ,i 0 afraid to und]take x1 z ,i c\ldn't prea* a s]mon4 ,oh1 t's all "r1 he said4 ,i'll write out some?+1 & all y w h to d is to /udy x a little1 read x ov] once or twice1 !n get up & read x (f4 ,i told him ,i'd try4 ,i'd d ! be/ ,i c\ld4 ,s he wrote ab\t t5 %eets ( foolscap pap]1 all ab\t s9n]s4 ,i rememb] !re 0 a /ory ab\t a man go+ ov] ! falls 9 a boat1 & lots ( o!r int]e/+ ?+s z ,i ?\ght4 ,i took ! pap] home & /udi$ z h>d z ,i c\ld to get x into my head4 ,! night came on :i* ,i 0 to take ! meet+--t ev5tful night 9 my life4 ,i got on ! plat=m1 took ! pap]s out ( my pocket1 & op5$ ! big ,bible at ! *apt] ,i 0 go+ to read1 & laid out ! talk j z ,i ?\ght a m9i/] might d4 ,i read ! *apt]1 !n we _h a song1 !n x 0 up to me4 ,d y "k ,i made ! greate/ mi/ake ( my life t night6 ,i w5t on t plat=m tru/+ 9 my own /r5g? & n ask+ ,god's help4 ,i got a swell$ head & imag9$ ,i 0 ! real ?+4 ,b ,god 9 ,8 own way %[$ me :]e ,i 0 /&+ & br\ght me up ) a %ort turn4 ,i began read+ ! article writt51 & 0 gett+ on well1 z ,i ?\ght1 tak+ all ! cr$it myself & n giv+ ,god any4 ,i read ?ree pages all "r1 :5 "s "o op5$ ! w9d[4 ,x 0 a ,m>* night1 v w9dy1 & :5 ! w9d[ 0 op5$ some?+ happ5$1 & ,i ?ank ,god t x did4 ,! w9d came directly t[>d me & took ! s]mon ,i 0 prea*+ & scatt]$ x all ov] ! room4 ,i didn't "k :at to say or d4 ,i =got ev]y?+ t 0 writt5 on ! pap]s1 & ,i knew if ,i tri$ to get !m back ,i w\ld make a fool ( myself4 ,!re 0 a smile on e face 9 ! congregation4 ,!re ,i /ood1 wi%+ ! floor w\ld op5 & let me ?r\gh4 ,i c]ta9ly 0 9 a box6 ,j at ?is mom5t ,god spoke to me & said1 ,david1 ,i did t1 & ,i did x = y\r own good4 ,n[ li/5 to me4 ,y 7 n cut out = a m9i/]4 ,j get up & tell ^! p h[ ,god = ,*ri/'s sake sav$ y1 & ,i'll be ) y4 ,i li/5$ to ! voice1 b[$ my head 9 pray]1 & x seem$ z ?\gh ! ,"l put ! words 9 my m\?4 ,i told t roomful ( p ( my pa/ life & h[ ,god sav$ & _h bless$ me = f\r ye>s4 ,we _h a gr& meet+ & a numb] 7 sav$ t night1 &1 above all1 ,i receiv$ "o ( ! greate/ bless+s ( my life4 ,on 8 return ! m9i/] said1 ,i he> y _h a great meet+4 ,h[ did ! read+ g6 ,i told him :at _h happ5$1 & he 0 a/oni%$1 b saw ,god's h& 9 x1 & said s4 ,f t night on ,i nev] wrote up any?+ to read to my audi5ce1 & ,i h spok5 all ov] )9 a circle ( fifty miles ( ,new ,york1 & ev5 f>!r away1 includ+ ,bo/on1 ,philadelphia1 ,albany1 & ,troy4 ,i tell ! ,b[]y boys ,i'm :at is call$ an extemporane\s talk]4 ,i don't "k ! fir/ ^w ,i'm go+ to say :5 ,i get on my feet1 b ,god nev] leaves me3 ,i j op5 my m\? & ,he fills x4 ,praise ,8 "n6 ,x 0 a lesson to me & ,i h nev] =gott5 x4 ,,! ,,te/imony ,,( ,a ,,gambl] ,:ile ,i 0 sexton ( ! old ,sea & ,l& ,*ur* ,i met among o!r m5 "o :o came to be a great fri5d4 ,we call$ ourselves pals & lov$ ea* o!r de>ly1 & yet ,i h nev] be5 able to br+ him to ,*ri/4 ,:5 ,i told him ,i 0 writ+ ! /ory ( my life he said he want$ to add a few l9es to tell1 he said1 :at ,i c\ld n4 ,?is is :at he wrote3 ',lead1 ,k9dly ,light1' 0 ! song2 ,i'll nev] =get x4 ,i he>d x on ! ,b[]y fifte5 ye>s ago4 ,i 0 pass+ a ,mission1 & he>+ x ,i w5t 9--,i don't "k :y to ?is day4 ,aft] ! s++ "s "o pray$1 & ,i />t$ to g out :5 ! lead] ( ! meet+ call$ = te/imonies = ,*ri/4 ,i wait$ & li/5$1 & ,i he>d a voice t made me sit d[n aga94 ,i %all nev] =get ! man t 0 speak+4 ,:at he said s\nd$ l ! tru?4 ,x 0 ! greate/ s]mon ,i ev] li/5$ to4 ,he 0 tell+ h[ mu* ,god _h done = him1 sav$ him f dr9k & made a ,*ri/ian man ( him4 ,i knew x 0 ! tru?4 ,i w5t home t night to wife & *ildr51 & told my wife :]e ,i _h be54 ,%e laugh$ & said1 ',dan1 y are gett+ daffy4' ,f t night on ,i h be5 a bett] husb& & fa!r4 ,i left home "o night ab\t six o'clock & w5t d[n ,*]ry ,/reet to a saloon :]e ! gang hang out4 ,i _h be5 tell+ ! boys ab\t ! ?+s ,i _h he>d at ! ,mission4 ,a "y man said1 ',sullivan1 !re 0 a "y prea*] d[n at my h\se & ask$ me to come to a "y p's meet+ at ! ,sea & ,l& ,*ur*4 ,i promis$ ,i w\ld g1 b ,i hav5't got ! c\rage4' ,9 a mom5t ,i got *ur*y4 ,i _h nev] be5 9 a *ur* 9 ,new ,york4 ,i said1 ',come on1' & we w5t to t meet+4 ,i am glad ,i did4 ,t night ,i met my fri5d ,ranney4 ,z ,i 0 pass+ out ( ! meet+ he greet$ me--he 0 ! sexton--) a h&%ake & a ',good-night1 old pal2 come aga96' ,!re is some?+ 9 a h&%ake1 & z we %ook ,i felt ,i _h made ano!r fri5d4 ,i'll nev] =get t night4 ,we became fa/ fri5ds4 ,!re is no "o t kn[s ,ranney bett] ?an ,sullivan4 ,i h wat*$ him 9 8 climb to ! top /ep by /ep to be 9 ! gr& position he fills1 t ( ,lodg+ ,h\se ,mission>y to ! ,b[]y "u ! ,new ,york ,city ,mission & ,tract ,society4 ,"o day we 7 go+ up ! ,b[]y & pass+ a ,mission w5t 94 ,we he>d ! te/imonies1 & ,i turn$ to ,ranney & said1 ',are y a ,*ri/ian8' ,he said1 ',i am4' ,i said1 ',get up1 !n1 & tell ! m5 :at ,god has done = y4' ,n[ "h ,i 0 a gambl] tell+ ?is man to ackn[l$ge ,god1 & ,i did n d x myself6 ,ranney rose & turn$ all colors4 ,he f9ally settl$ d[n to t /yle ( talk+ :i* he alone possesses4 ,he told 8 /ory = ! fir/ "t4 ,i h he>d him hundr$s ( times s9ce1 b to me t night fifte5 ye>s ago 0 ! greate/ talk he ev] gave1 tell+ h[ ,god sav$ him f a crook$ & drunk5 life4 ,x _h ! r+6 ,i lov$ him f t night on4 ,:5 he got ?r\gh ,i said1 ',dave1 ,god met y face to face to-night4 ,y w be a diff]5t man f n[ on4 ,god spoke to-night1 n y4 ,x 0 ! be/ talk ,i ev] he>d4 ,x took y a long "t to />t1 b no?+ c /op y n[4 ,"o ^w ( advice1 pal1 ,i'll give y3 ,don't get /uck on y\rself4 ,god w use y :5 ,he won't o!rs among y\r own k9d4 ,he w make a prea*] ( y to m5 ( y\r own /amp4' ,& ,ranney is to-day :at ,i said & ?\ght he w\ld be4 ,y w\ld ?9k t a man :o _h be5 ! pal ( ,ranney = ?ree ye>s w\ld nev] say an unk9d ^w to "o t he lov$1 b t is :at ,i did4 ,we _h a misund]/&+1 & ,i said ?+s to ,dave ,ranney t he nev] w =get4 ,i call$ him e "n on ! cal5d>4 ,he 0 spee*less & ,i ?\ght afraid ( me4 ,he nev] said a ^w4 ,i left him /&+ !re z if petrifi$--8 fri5d & pal talk+ to him l t1 8 pal t sang ) him1 & jok$ ) him6 ,i w5t home & swore t nev] aga9 w\ld ,i h any?+ to d ) a ,*ri/ian4 ,i _h =gott5 = ! mom5t all ! little k9dnesses he _h done & h[ aft] ,i _h be5 on a drunk he _h be5 at my b$side1 h[ he _h spok5 words ( *e] & com=t & said1 ',dan1 old man1 *e] up4 ,"s day y are go+ to cut out dr9k'2 & ,i want to say "r n[ t ,i h n drank 9 ov] twelve ye>s4 ,i'd =gott5 all t4 ,i only ?\ght ( h[ ,i might hang ! be/ fell[ on ?is e>?4 ,i came to myself t5 m9utes aft] ,i left him1 b ! "w _h be5 done1 & ,i made up my m9d ,i'd nev] see or speak to him aga94 ,i'd g back to my old life ( gambl+ & *eat+1 & ,i did4 ,five mon?s pass$4 ,i _h n se5 ,ranney 9 all t "t4 ,i 0 play+ pok] "o night1 ! #af? ( ,septemb]1 #ahii1 ) no m ?\ght ( ,dave ?an if he _h nev] liv$4 ,x 0 9 ! old ---- ---- ,hotel on ,wat] ,/reet1 a little be=e eight 9 ! ev5+4 ,my p>tn] & ,i 7 hav+ a pretty easy "t /eal+ ! o!r m5's money--"s call x *eat+--:5 my ?\ghts turn$ to my old ,*ri/ian pal ,ranney4 ,x 0 ! eigh? anniv]s>y ( 8 conv]sion4 ,quick z a fla% ,i jump$ to my feet & said1 ',boys1 ,i'll be back 9 an h\r4 ,i've got to g6' ,my p>tn] ?\ght ,i _h be5 caught *eat+ & 0 go+ to ca% 8 *ips4 ,i said1 ',i'll be back 9 a little :ile4' ,i ran all ! way up to ! ,b[]y to ! place :]e ,ranney 0 hold+ 8 meet+4 ,! ,mission 0 pack$4 ,!re 7 a lot ( big-guns on ! plat=m4 ,no "o saw me t knew me4 ,ranney 0 ask+ = ^? te/imonies t w\ld help ! o!r fell[4 ,i got on my feet & fac$ him4 ,he turn$ pale4 ,he ?\ght ,i 0 go+ to set him out !n & !re4 ,he look$ me /raight 9 ! eye & began to come sl[ly t[>d me1 & :5 ,i _h f9i%$ we _h "o ano!r by ! h&4 ,?is is "p ( :at ,i said t night3 ',i make no pret5se at be+ a ,*ri/ian4 ,i am a gambl]4 ,b ! man /&+ !re--,dave ,ranney--0 once my *um & pal4 ,we _h a little misund]/&+ "s five mon?s ago1 & ,i am "h to-night to ask 8 =giv5ess4 ,=give me1 ,dave4 ,i j left a c>d-game to come up to y\r anniv]s>y & help make y happy4 ,i "k y don't believe ,i meant :at ,i said4 ,i love y m to-night ?an any "t s9ce ,i fir/ met y4 ,:y1 m51 ,i w\ld lay d[n my life t ,ranney is "o ( ! be/ & :ite/ ,*ri/ians 9 ,new ,york to-night4 ,x a9't ! big ?+s t a man does t %[ 8 real "*4 ,no1 x's ! little ?+s4 ,i h wat*$ ,ranney1 be5 ) him2 8 sorr[s are my sorr[s1 8 joys my joys4 ,i c't say any m to-night4' ,dave begg$ me to /ay4 ,mr4 ,seym\r came d[n to speak to me1 b ,i'd done :at ,i came to d1 & ,i _h got out quick--f ,heav5 to ,hell1 f my ,*ri/ian pal to my pal 9 crime at ! c>d-table4 ,i've nev] be5 conv]t$4 ,if ,i 0 ,i'd g l my pal ,ranney out 9 ! _w & tell h[ ,god sav$ me1 & n let ! m9i/]s d all ! talk+4 ,at pres5t all ,i c say is1 ',god bless my pal6 & "s ( ^! days p]haps ,i'll be ) him on ! plat=m tell+ :at ,god did = me4 ,god spe$ ! day6' ,,tri$ ,,9 ,,! ,,fire ,i _h be5 sexton = ov] five ye>s1 & _h be5 greatly bless$1 :5 my wife became ill4 ,?+s did n always run smoo?ly1 = !re are ups & d[ns ev5 9 a sexton's life1 & ,i _h m9e4 ,:5 ,m>y & ,i took up aga9 ,i det]m9$ to d all 9 my p[] to make am5ds = my =m] treatm5t ( h]1 to make life z pleasant = h] z ,i c\ld1 & ,i did4 ,:5 %e 0 fir/ tak5 sick ,i s5t h] & ! boy ov] to ,irel& to visit h] p>5ts1 ?9k+ ! *ange w\ld d h] good4 ,%e 0 bett] = a little :ile1 b on ! #ad? ( ,m>*1 #aijb1 %e di$4 ,my boy & ,i 7 at h] b$side & promis$ to meet h] on ! o!r side1 & ) ! help ( ,god we are go+ to keep our ^w4 ,y "k !re are always knock]s1 & ,i knew q a few4 ,9 e *ur* & society !re !y are ) _! little hat*ets ready to trim & knock any "o t goes ahead ( !m4 ,"s ( ^! p said ( me1 ,oh1 ,ranney is "u ,*ri/ian influ5ces4 ,he is sexton4 ,he is afraid4 ,wait until he runs up aga9/ a lot ( tr\ble1 !n he w g back to ! ,b[]y aga9 & dr9k worse ?an ev]4 ,i d ?9k "s ( ^? p w\ld h lik$ to see x happ54 ,i've se5 "o ( !m 9 a sanit>ium to be treat$ = dr9k :o 0 my wor/ knock]1 & ,i told him ,i w\ld pray = him4 ,i'm n talk+ ( ! good ,*ri/ian p4 ,!y don't "k h[ to knock1 & ,i ?ank ,god = all su*4 ,i _h a ?\s& fri5ds = e knock]1 & !y 7 ready to help me ) k9d words1 money1 or 9 any o!r way :5 ,i 0 9 tr\ble4 ,j z an illu/ration ( ?is take ! act ( ! poor fell[s ( ! ,midnight ,mission 9 ,*9at[n :5 my wife di$4 ,!y want$ to %[ _! sympa?y & _! love1 & a delegation ( !m came 9 a body & plac$ a wrea? on ,m>y's c(f94 ,i le>n$ aft]w>ds h[ !y all *ipp$ 9 = ! collection--"s a few c5ts1 "s a nickel4 ,don't ?9k = a mom5t t ! ,b[]y d[n-&-out has no he>t1 = x isn't s4 ,_m a t\gh-look+ fell[ ) a jump] in/ead ( a %irt has "o ( ! true/ he>ts t beats4 ,i only wi% ,i c\ld help !m m ?an ,i d4 ,:5 ,god took ,m>y away ,i ?\ght x 0 h>d1 & ,i 0 sore & ready to d any?+1 ,i didn't c>e :at4 ,!re 0 a lady1 ,miss ,br[n1 a tra9$ nurse1 :o _h be5 ) ,m>y all ?r\gh h] illness1 ^: *e]+ words did me a wond]ful lot ( good4 ,"o ?+ %e said 01 ,tru/4 ,god bless h]6 ,a ,,te/+ ,,"t ,my old fri5d ! ,devil 0 9 evid5ce dur+ ?is h>d "t 9 all 8 pomp & glory4 ,i c\ld he> him say1 ,y see h[ ,god treats y6 ,he don't c>e mu* or ,he w\ldn't h tak5 ,m>y away4 ,:at did ,he d x =8 ,:y1 ,he don't "k y ev5 a little bit4 ,come1 ,dan1 ,i'll be y\r fri5d2 didn't we always h a good "t toge!r on ! ,b[]y8 ,g get a 'ball'2 x'll d y good & make y =get y\r tr\bles4 ,y h a good excuse ev5 if any "o sees y4 ,i 0 tempt$1 b ,i said1 ,n ?is "t1 y old ,devil3 get beh9d my back6 ,p said1 ,keep y\r eye on ,ranney2 he's up aga9/ x2 n[ he w />t to dr9k & g d[n & out4 ,i'm go+ to tell y h[ ,god came & help$ me 9 my h\r ( ne$4 ,x 0 ! day ( ! fun]al1 ! #ag? ( ,m>*1 #aijb4 ,! p :o 7 help+ _h gone home to get ready to att5d ! s]vice1 & my boy & ,i 7 left all alone ) ! dead4 ,we 7 feel+ pretty bad4 ,my boy _h lo/ ! be/ fri5d he ev] _h or w\ld h 9 ?is _w4 ,"s fa!rs are all "r & love _! *ildr51 b x isn't l a "m's love4 ,no wond] he 0 weep+ & feel+ badly4 ,we 7 walk+ ab\t ! room say+ no?+1 j ?9k+1 & wond]+ :at w\ld happ5 next4 ,we happ5$ to meet j at ! head ( ! casket 7,god's do+71 & /ood !re z ?\gh held by "s unse5 p[]1 :5 my boy op5s up l ?is3 ,pop1 y don't want me to smoke any cig>ettes1 d y8 ,i look$ at him1 a/oni%$ at su* a "q at ?is "t1 b ,i said1 ,no1 ,willie1 ,i don't want y to smoke & hope y nev] w4 ,!n he said1 ,fa!r1 y don't want me to dr9k1 d y8 ,i wond]$ at ^! que/ions1 & look$ at him ) te>s 9 my eyes4 ,i said1 ,no1 ,bill1 my poor boy1 ,i w\ld r see y dead & 9 y\r c(f9 beside y\r poor "m1 & "k y 7 go+ to be buri$ to-day1 ?an to "k y w\ld ev] dr9k or be l y\r fa!r 04 ,bill1 don't y ev] take ! fir/ glass ( be] or :iskey6 ,ask ,god to keep y f x4 ,i wond]$ :at 0 com+ next1 b ,i didn't h to wait long4 ,! boy said1 ,! p are wat*+ y & say y won't come back f ! grave )\t hav+ a dr9k1 & t y won't be sob] a week f n[4 ,pop1 tru/ 9 ! ,god t sav$ y t5 ye>s ago1 won't y8 ,y "k we promis$ to meet "m4 ,fool ^! p & let !m see t y are ! man & fa!r ,i love4 ,i /raight5$ up1 look$ at ! lad1 & out w5t my h&4 ,we %ook h&s & ,i said1 ,son1 ) ! help ( ,god ,i'll nev] dr9k aga94 ,& !re at ! head ( ! c(f9 we knelt & ask$ ,god to help u & make u m5 su* z ,he w\ld h u be2 we ask$ x 9 ! "n & = ! sake ( ! ,*ri/ :o di$ = u4 ,t 0 ,m>* #ag1 #aijb1 & we h kept ! fai? up to ! pres5t "t4 ,i'll nev] =get t pray]4 ,don't y ?9k x pays to be on ! level ) ,god8 ,if y ask ,him to help y ,he w4 ,j tru/ ,him & h a little backbone1 & y w w9 out e "t4 ,i "k n[ t ?is exp]i5ce 0 ,god tea*+ me a lesson & draw+ me clos] to ,him4 ,?+s w5t diff]5tly n[2 ,i c\ld n run ! *ur* v well alone1 s aft] a few mon?s ,i h&$ 9 my resignation4 ,! tru/ees want$ me to /ay1 b ,i c\ldn't2 sad memories w\ld come up1 & ,i simply _h to g4 ,i left ! old *ur* :]e ,i _h sp5t s _m happy days ) a record ( t5 ye>s t money c\ld n buy4 ,i g !re once 9 a :ile ev5 n[4 ,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,*ur* ,,( ,,sea ,,& ,,l&4 ,illu/ration3 ,,midnight ,,mission1 ,,*9at[n4 ,,*apt] ,,vii ,,! ,,mission ,,9 ,,*9at[n ,ab\t two ye>s previ\s to my wife's dea? a man1 ,mr4 ,h4 ,g\ld1 call$ on me & ask$ me if ,i 0 ! ,ranney t 0 conv]t$ on ! ,b[]y4 ,i said1 ,yes1 ,i 0 sav$ ab\t t5 ye>s ago4 ,he said1 ,i've a proposal to make4 ,i he> y are a natural-born lead] ( m51 & ,i ?9k y look x4 ,i'm "o ( ! tru/ees ( ! ,midnight ,mission 9 ,*9at[n4 ,x's a h>d place1 b w y come & take *>ge ( x8 ,i c't keep any "o !re long] ?an a few weeks2 !y get drunk or are lick$ or done up "s way4 ,i want "s "o ) backbone2 w y take x8 ,i ?ank$ him4 ,he _h said en\gh to make any "o refuse a job l t1 b ,i knew all ! ins & outs ( t qu>t]1 & ,i ?\ght ,i'd l ! "w4 ,i ask$ ,god's guidance1 & ,i spoke ) ,mr4 ,d5nison1 ! pa/or ( ! ,*ur* ( ,sea & ,l&1 & he said x 0 wond]ful ! way ,god 0 lead+ me4 ,g & see :at x's l1 he said4 ,try x4 ,y c run ! *ur* also1 b if y see y c't get along1 give x up4 ,my wife & boy 7 plann+ to g on a visit to ,irel& to see if x w\ld improve h] heal?1 & :5 ,i told h] ( ,mr4 ,g\ld's proposal %e did n want me to g3 %e 0 afraid ,i'd get kill$4 ,b ,i said x w\ld help to pass ! "t away until %e came back4 ,s 9 #aijj ,i took *>ge ( ! ,*9at[n ,midnight ,mission1 rema9$ !re six ye>s1 & left to be a lodg+-h\se mission>y4 ,i well rememb] ! fir/ night4 ,!re sat "s ( ! old gang4 ,!y gave me ! glad h&1 & ask$ me if ,i 0 go+ to be ! b\nc]2 if s1 ,i c\ld c\nt on !m4 ,i said4 ,yes1 ,i'm to be ! 'ma9 guy1' b\nc]1 etc4 ,!y 7 pleas$1 & gave me cr$it ( always be+ on ! level4 ,i made lots ( fri5ds :ile !re4 ,,lead+ ,a ,,meet+ ,i nev] _h to use =ce to keep ord] b once :ile 9 t ,mission4 ,i _h be5 9 *>ge two mon?s or s :5 ,i got notice t ! lead] w\ld n be !re t night1 s x 0 up to me to lead ! meet+4 ,i'll nev] =get t night4 ,!re are "s ?+s a p]son c't =get1 & t 0 "o ( !m4 ,x 0 sn[+ & v cold outside1 & ! ,mission 0 pack$ ) m5 & a few wom54 ,^! poor creatures _h no place to g1 no home2 !y 7 outca/s1 !re ?r\gh v>i\s s9s1 b mo/ly ?r\gh love ( rum4 ,i hop$ "s visitor w\ld come 9 & ,i w\ld get him to lead1 b no "o came1 & x 0 up to me to give ! boys a talk4 ,i _h nev] =gott5 my fir/ s]mon at ! *ur*1 s1 ask+ ,god to help me1 ,i w5t on ! plat=m4 ,i read ! /ory ( ! ,prodigal ,son4 ,t 0 easy2 ! h>d "p 0 to come lat] on4 ,i ask$ if "s "o w\ld play ! piano1 & a "y fell[ came up t look$ z ?\gh he hadn't _h a meal or slept 9 a b$ 9 a mon?1 b :5 he t\*$ ! keys ,i knew he 0 a ma/]4 ,i f\nd out lat] t he 0 a prodigal1 _h left home1 sp5t all1 & 0 on ! ,b[]y liv+ on ! husks4 ,we began by s++ a hymn1 aft] :i* ,i got up & began to talk to ! m54 ,i gave my te/imony1 h[ ,god _h sav$ me f a life ( crook$ness & crime1 & t ,i 0 no bett] ?an ! wor/ man on ! ,b[]y1 except by ! grace ( ,god4 ,!re 0 "o big fell[ sitt+ 9 ! front r[ :o 0 try+ to guy me4 ,:ile ,i 0 talk+ he w\ld make all sorts ( rem>ks1 su* z1 ,oh1 :at d y "k ab\t x8 ,g away back & sit d[n1 etc4 ,i ask$ him to keep /ill or he w\ld h to get out4 ,i w5t on try+ to talk1 b t man w\ld always answ] back ) "s fooli% rem>k4 ,he 0 try+ to /op ! meet+--s he told me aft]w>ds4 ,!re ,i 04 ,i c\ld n g on if he did1 & ,i told him t :5 ,i got ?r\gh ,i w\ld give him a *ance to talk4 ,n[ !re 7 ov] f\r hundr$ m5 look+ at me1 wond]+ :at ,i w\ld d4 ,"s ( my old pals %\t$1 ,put him out1 ,danny6 & ! meet+ 0 9 an upro>4 ,i knew if ,i did n run t meet+1 or if ,i %[$ ! :ite fea!r1 ,i 0 done z a lead] or any?+ else connect$ ) t place4 ,i said to him1 ,my fri5d1 if y don't keep /ill ,i'll make an example ( y4 ,i c\ld h call$ ! police & _h him lock$ up1 b ,i didn't want any "o to g beh9d b>s & "k t ,i _h him put !re4 ,i _h be5 !re & t 0 en\gh4 ,i've nev] _h "o ( ^! poor m5 arre/$ 9 my life4 ,i us$ k9dness4 ,i began to talk aga91 & he />t$ 9 aga91 b be=e he got _m words out ( 8 m\? ,i gave him a sw++ upp] cut :i* l&$ on ! po9t ( 8 jaw1 lift+ him ab\t two feet1 & d[n he w5t on 8 back4 ,my old pals came up to help1 b ,i said1 ,sit d[n1 m52 ,i c h&le two l t fell[4 ,i call$ out a hymn2 !n ,i told him to get up1 & if he ?\ght he c\ld behave himself he might sit d[n1 if n1 he c\ld get out4 ,well1 he sat d[n & 0 z good z c\ld be4 ,t 0 ! mak+ ( me4 ,! m5 all saw x4 ,!y knew t ,i 0 "o ( !m1 !y saw t ,i c\ld h&le myself1 & ,i nev] _h any tr\ble aft] t4 ,& ! man ,i hit is to-day "o ( my be/ fri5ds4 ,i told ! m5 t ! ,devil s5t 9 "o ( 8 angels once 9 a :ile1 ! same z to-night1 to di/urb ! meet+-place ( ,god4 ,i said1 ,y m5 w\ld be a m>k] = ,god if y w\ld only take a /& = ,god & cut out y\r s9s4 ,i nev] 9 my palmy days di/urb$ a meet+1 drunk or sob]4 ,i always respect$ ,god's h\se4 ,if ,i didn't l x ,i w5t out1 & ,i ?9k1 fell[s1 t's "o ( ! reasons ,he pick$ me up :5 ,i 0 away d[n 9 s9 & made me :at ,i am to-night4 ,he w d ! same = any "o "h2 :y n give ,him a *ance8 ,,some?+ ,,new ,?is 0 some?+ new = ! m54 ,"h 0 a man t !y knew1 no /rang]1 b "o ( !mselves eight ye>s be=e4 ,he _h be5 9 prison ) !m1 drunk ) !m1 /ol5 ) !m1 & 9 fact _h done ev]y?+ t !y did1 & n[ "h he 0 tell+ 8 old pals h[ !y c\ld be bett] m51 h[ ,god w\ld help !m if !y w\ld only give ,him a *ance4 ,god 0 ) me t night4 ,x didn't seem to be ,ranney at all4 ,i ask$ :o want$ to get ?is religion1 :o want$ me to pray = !m1 & ab\t sev5ty-five h&s w5t up4 ,a numb] ( m5 came =w>d & took a /& = ,jesus4 ,x 0 e>ly 9 ! morn+ :5 ! meet+ clos$4 ,x 0 cold & sn[+ outside4 ,x is a h>d matt] to get ^! m5 to decl>e !mselves1 = !y are afraid ( ! laugh1 b ,i told !m n to m9d t2 t my pals gave me ! laugh :5 ,i />t$ out4 ,if we are hone/ & h s& & help ourselves aft] ask+ ,god's help1 ,i told !m1 we w take no notice ( a gr9 or a sne]4 ,my companions wagg$ _! heads :5 ,i />t$ out 9 ! new life 9 ,septemb]1 #ahib4 ,!y said1 ',oh1 we'll give ,danny a c\ple ( weeks4 ,he's try+ to "w ! mission>y2 he'll be back aga96' ,don't y m5 see ,i'm /ill tru/+8 & !re isn't a man 9 ! ,mission "r n[ t c say ,i'm n on ! level1 t ,i've drank :iskey or be] or done an unmanly act s9ce ,i gave my life into ,8 keep+4 ,:y8 ,because ,i'm tru/+1 n 9 man or woman1 b ,i'm hone/ly tru/+ 9 ,god4 ,i 0 satisfi$ t among ! :ole roomful ( m5 !re 7 n half a doz5 t _h a b$ to sleep on t night4 ,i didn't h ! money to put !m to b$1 b ,i dep>t$ f ! rules1 & call+ !m to ord]1 said1 ,boys1 h[ _m ( y w\ld l to be my gue/ = ! night8 ,y ought to h se5 !m look at me6 ,nev] su* a ?+ _h be5 kn[n4 ,x set !m to ?9k+4 ,! saloon-keep] w\ldn't d x2 :at did he c>e = !m8 ,i said1 ,boys1 ,i'm n do+ ?is2 ,i don't want y to ?9k s4 ,x's ,god ?r\gh me4 ,_m's ! night aft] t ,i kept ! ,mission op5 & let ! poor fell[s sleep !re1 on ! *airs & on ! floor1 & !y appreciat$ x4 ,i 0 w9n+ !m ?r\gh k9dness4 ,:5 ,i 0 ready to g home to my nice w>m b$1 ,i'd read !m a little riot act tell+ !m !re 7 always a few among a lot ( m5 t w\ld spoil a good ?+1 end+ up1 ,be good1 boys1 & h a good sleep4 ,good-night1 & !y w\ld say s he>tily1 ,good-night1 ,danny6 ,god bless y & keep y6 ,lett+ ! m5 /ay didn't co/ me a c5t1 & !re 0 a big fire to keep !m w>m & x meant mu* to !m1 poor fell[s4 ,i _h ! ,bo>d ( ,heal? get aft] me q a few times1 b ,i'd expla9 ?+s to !m1 & !y w\ld g away say+1 ,y're all "r4 ,big h>d m5 said1 ,if p :o want to d good w\ld only get a place to h\se ! poor un=tunates1 !re w\ld be less crime & mis]y4 ,i knew t 0 true1 & ,i'm pray+ = ! day :5 we c h j su* a place1 & ,god is go+ to give x 9 ,8 own good "t4 ,i _h won ! boys1 & ,i /ay$ 9 t ,mission ov] six ye>s & saw lots ( m5 & wom5 sav$ & liv+ good lives4 ,_m times well-dress$ m5 w come into my place & say1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 don't y "k me8 & :5 ,i c't place !m !y w tell me h[ ,i 0 ! means ( sav+ _! lives by lett+ !m /ay 9 out ( ! cold1 & giv+ !m a cup ( c(fee & a piece ( bread 9 ! morn+4 ,i c\ld c\nt !m by ! hundr$s4 ,praise ,8 "n6 ,a ,,poor ,,outca/ ,"o night j z ! doors op5$1 !re came into ! ,mission a woman :o evid5tly _h se5 bett] days4 ,%e 0 "o ( ! poor un=tunates ( ,*9at[n4 ,%e ask$ if %e might sit d[n1 z %e 0 v tir$ & did n feel well4 ,g 91 ,anna1 ,i said1 & %e w5t 9 & took a seat4 ,:5 ,i pass$ h] way %e said1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 w y please give me a dr9k ( wat]8 ,n[ ?is woman _h caus$ me lots ( tr\ble4 ,%e w\ld get drunk & c>ry on1 b :5 sob] %e w\ld be good & feel sorry4 ,i gave h] a cup ( wat] & %e said1 ,?ank y1 ,dan1 & may ,god bless y6 ,an h\r aft] t ,i gave h] ano!r cup1 & %e ?ank$ me aga91 say+1 ,god bless y = y\r pati5ce6 ,! next "t ,i look$ at h] %e _h h] head on ! seat 9 front & ,i ?\ght %e 0 sleep+4 ,n[ ,i nev] wake any sleep]s4 ,i feel t an h\r's sleep w d !m good1 = :5 ! ,mission closes & !y g out !y h no place to sleep4 ,!y h to f9d a truck or a hallway or walk up & d[n ! ,b[]y all night4 ,i've be5 !re1 & x takes "o t has be5 ?r\gh ! mill to sympa?ize ) ! d[n-&-outs4 ,s ,i did n di/urb ?is woman4 ,! meet+ 0 ov] & ! p 7 all out1 :5 ,i notic$ ,anna /ill 9 ! same position4 ,i w5t ov] & call$ h]1 & receiv+ no answ] %ook h] a little1 b %e nev] mov$4 ,i b5t ov] & rais$ h] head2 a pair ( sightless eyes seem$ to look at me1 & ,i knew %e 0 dead4 ,i nev] _h su* a />t 9 my life4 ,two h\rs be=e alive--n[ dead6 ,i le>n$ t %e 0 f a t[n 9 ,connecticut1 ( good p>5ts1 :o took h] to h] la/ re/+-place 9 ! family plot--a wayw>d girl :o ran away f home4 ,h] ,god bless y1 ,dan6 /ill r+s 9 my e>s & h] dead face ,i'll nev] =get4 ,"h 0 a case t1 s f> z ,i knew1 did n come "u ! influ5ce ( ,god's ,_s1 & ,i c\ld only say1 ,god h m]cy on h] poor s\l6 b !re h be5 scores ( o!r wom5 :om ,i h be5 able to rea* & help by ! grace ( ,god4 ,i %all nev] =get ! :ite slave4 ,,rescu$ ,,f ,a ,,dive ,:5 ,i _h *>ge ( ! ,*9at[n ,mission a p>ty ( ?ree came d[n to see ! sights & d a little slumm+ 9 ! di/rict1 & !y ask$ me to %[ !m ar\nd4 ,n[ !re wasn't a hole or jo9t 9 ,*9at[n or on ! ,b[]y t ,i didn't "k1 b ,i didn't z a rule take wom5 to su* places4 ,i don't l ! idea ( _! look+ at o!r p's mis]y1 & !re's no?+ b woe & want to be se5 :5 y g slumm+4 ,lots ( x is br\ght on by ! p !mselves1 b /ill !y are human & d n l to be look$ at4 ,h[ev]1 ?is night 0 an exception1 & away we w5t to see ! sights4 ,i took !m to ! ,joss ,h\se--! temple :]e ! ,*9ese pray to ,confucius--& o!r places d[n on ,*]ry ,hill4 ,b !y want$ to see some?+ h>d1 s ,i took !m to a place t ,i ?\ght 0 h>d en\gh4 ,if y 7 a /rang] & w5t into ?is place & display$ a roll ( ! gre5 y w\ld be done up4 ,we w5t into "o ( ! wor/ places on ! ,b[]y1 ! wom5 be+ z anxi\s to g z ! re/4 ,! wait] pilot$ u to a small r\nd table1 & we sat d[n & call$ = "s soda4 ,i'd be5 !re be=e to br+ out a man or a woman or a girl z ! case might be1 & 0 pretty well kn[n z ,sky-,pilot ,dan4 ,! p>ty ) me 7 a/oni%$ & wond]$ h[ su* ?+s z !y saw c\ld exi/ 9 a city l ,new ,york4 ,!re 7 all classes 9 ! place1 sailors1 m51 wom51 & girls1 :o _h lo/ all self-respect & ?\ght ( no?+ b ! dr9k & ! dance4 ,:ile sitt+ !re ! lady's att5tion 0 drawn to a girl at ! next table :o sat !re look+ at ! lady1 ) ! te>s /ream+ d[n h] *eeks4 ,! lady said1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 :at is ! matt] ) t girl8 ,ask h] to jo9 u4 ,i got ano!r *air & ask$ ! girl to come ov] & sit beside ! lady1 :o ask$ h] h[ %e came to be !re1 & :y %e 0 cry+4 ,at t ! girl began to cry h>d] & sobb$ z ?\gh h] he>t w\ld break4 ,aft] %e became a little m quiet %e said1 ,y look l my "m1 & ,i'll nev] see h] aga96 ,oh1 ,i wi% ,i 0 dead6 ,we ask$ h] :y %e didn't g home to h] "m4 ,%e cri$ out1 ,i c't6 ,!y won't let me6 ,& if ,i c\ld get away h[ c\ld ,i get to ,c9c9nati1 ,ohio1 :]e my "m lives8 ,we got h] /ory f ! girl1 & ?is is h[ x ran3 ,%e got into conv]sation ) a well-dress$ woman 9 ,c9c9nati "o day :o said t %e c\ld get h] a position z /5ograph] & typewrit] at a f9e sal>y4 ,aft] tell+ h] "m ab\t x1 %e & ! woman />t$ = ,new ,york1 ! woman pay+ ! f>e4 ,! woman gave h] an address ( a p>ty1 b :5 ! poor girl got !re1 !re 0 no job = a typewrit]2 x 0 a v diff]5t position4 ,! "y girl _h be5 lur$ f home on false promises1 & "h %e 0 a :ite slave ?r\gh no fault ( h] own4 ,a difficult situation confront$ u4 ,! girl 0 9 tr\ble & ne$$ help1 & :at 7 we go+ to d ab\t x8 ,%e 0 z pretty a girl z ,i ev] saw1 ) l>ge black eyes1 a regul> ,s\!rn type ( beauty1 & j beg9n+ ! d[nw>d c>e]4 ,t means1 z ! girls on ! ,b[]y put x1 fir/ ! ,t5d]lo91 !n ! :ite lights & lots ( s-call$ pleasure1 until h] beauty beg9s to fade1 :i* usually takes ab\t a ye>4 ,second1 ,f\rte5? ,/reet1 a little l[] d[n ! grade4 ,?ird1 ! ,b[]y1 /ill l[]1 :]e !y get no?+ b bl[s & kicks4 ,! f\r? & la/ /ep1 "s jo9t l ?is1 ! back room ( a saloon1 d[n & out1 all respect gone1 no?+ to live =2 "s "m's girl pick$ up "s morn+ froz5 /iff2 ! patrol1 ! morgue1 & !n ,pott]'s ,field4 ,"s "m away 9 a c\ntry t[n is wait+ = h] girl :o nev] comes back4 ,god help ! mo!rs :o read ?is1 = x's true4 ,look to y\r girls & don't tru/ ! fir/ /range woman :o comes into y\r h\se1 = %e may be a wolf 9 %eep's clo?+4 ,%e wants y\r daught]'s fre% "y beauty1 t's h] trade1 & ! ,devil pays good & pl5ty4 ,i ask$ ! girl :e!r %e _h any fri5ds ne>1 & %e said %e _h an aunt liv+ on ,*e/nut ,/reet1 ,philadelphia1 t %e ?\ght might take h]4 ,!n look+ ar\nd ! room %e said1 ,b he won't let me g anyh[4 ,i foll[$ h] look1 & !re /&+ ) 8 back to ! wall 0 a man ,i knew4 ,"h 0 ?is "y girl made to slave & e>n a liv+ = ?is cur6 ,!re's lots ( x done 9 ,new ,york--well-dress$ m5 do+ no "w1 liv+ on ! e>n+s ( "y girls4 ,we got ! address ( ! aunt 9 ,philadelphia1 & ,i w5t out & s5t a message ov] ! wire1 ask+ if %e w\ld receive ,annie if %e came to ,philadelphia4 ,i receiv$ an answ] 9 =ty-two m9utes say+1 ,yes1 s5d h] on4 ,i'll meet h] at ! /ation4 ,i hurri$ back1 ?ank+ ,god = ! answ]1 & f\nd !m sitt+ at ! same table4 ,annie 0 look+ bett] ?an :5 we fir/ met h]4 ,i said1 ,x's all "r2 h] aunt w take c>e ( h]2 n[ all we h to d is to get h] to ! f]ry & buy h] ticket4 ,!re 0 a tap on my %\ld]1 & look+ ar\nd ,i saw ! man %e _h po9t$ out1 & he said1 ,y want to keep y\r h&s (f t girl1 ,dan1 or !re's go+ to be tr\ble4 ,n[ ,i knew ?is k9d ( man2 ,i knew he w\ld d me if he got a *ance1 & he 0 a big fell[ at t2 b ,i ?\ght ,i c\ld hold my own ) him or any ( 8 class4 ,i didn't m9d :at he said2 all ,i 0 ?9k+ ab\t 0 gett+ ! girl to ,cortl&t ,/reet ,f]ry4 ,:5 we got on our feet to make a />t he came ov] & said1 ,%e don't g out ( ?is place2 if %e does !re's go+ to be tr\ble4 ,i said1 ,well1 if y're look+ = tr\ble y w get all t's com+ to y1 & y'll get x good & pl5ty4 ,& ,i />t$ t[>d ! door4 ,he came aft] me1 ask+ me :at ,i 0 go+ to d4 ,i said1 ,i'm n go+ to bo!r ) y1 ,i'm m]ely go+ to get a c\ple ( ',bulls'--policem5--& !y w give y all ! tr\ble y want4 ,b t girl goes ) me4 ,he weak5$4 ,he knew 8 record 0 bad & he did n want to g up to #cjj ,mulb]ry ,/reet 7,police ,headqu>t]s71 s he said1 ,all "r1 ,danny1 take h]1 b y are do+ me dirty4 ,we got d[n to ! f]ry all "r1 & ! lady & ,i w5t to ,philadelphia & plac$ ,annie 9 h] aunt's h\se & bid h] good-by4 ,frequ5tly ,i get a lett] f ,c9c9nati f ,annie4 ,%e is home ) h] "m1 & a team ( ox5 c\ldn't pull h] away f home aga94 ,%e writes1 ,god bless & keep y1 ,dan6 ,i ?ank ,god = ! night y f\nd me on ! ,b[]y6 ,,tell ,,h] ,,! ,,lat*-,,/r+ ,,is ,,out ,i 0 9 a ,bapti/ *ur* "o ,sunday night speak+ be=e a l>ge audi5ce & _h 9 ! c\rse ( my talk told ! above /ory4 ,! meet+ _h be5 a gr& "o4 ,i felt t ,god _h be5 ) u all ! way ?r\gh4 ,i notic$ "o man 9 p>ticul> 9 ! audi5ce :ile ,i 0 tell+ ?is /ory4 ,te>s 7 runn+ d[n 8 *eeks & he 0 greatly agitat$4 ,i 0 %ak+ h&s all ar\nd aft] ! meet+ 0 ov] :5 ?is man came & said1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 c ,i h a little talk ) y8 ,i said1 ,yes4 ,wait till ,i get ! pa/or1 he said1 & 9 a few m9utes ! m9i/] jo9$ u 9 ! ve/ry4 ,! man c\ld n speak4 ,i saw !re 0 some?+ on 8 he>t & m9d1 & wond]$ :at x c\ld be4 ,i've _h lots ( m5 come & tell me all ab\t !mselves1 h[ !y 7 go+ to give up /eal+1 dr9k+1 & all o!r s9s1 b "h 0 some?+ diff]5t1 s ,i wait$4 ,he tri$ to speak1 b c\ld only sob4 ,f9ally he cri$ out ) a *ok+ sob1 ,si/]6 ,! m9i/]'s h& w5t out to 8 %\ld]1 m9e also1 & we tri$ to com=t him2 ,i nev] saw a man 9 su* agony4 ,aft] a little he told ?is /ory3 ,mr4 ,ranney1 ,i am sure ,god s5t y "h to-night4 ,i _h a lovely si/]2 %e may be liv+ yet2 ,i don't "k4 ,sev5te5 ye>s ago %e w5t out to take a music lesson1 & we h nev] laid eyes on h] s9ce1 & h nev] _h ! fir/ l9e f h]4 ,oh1 if ,i only knew :]e %e is6 ,%e 0 "o ( ! sweete/ girls y ev] saw1 j l ! girl y spoke ab\t to-night4 ,%e 0 entic$ away f home by a man old en\gh to be h] fa!r1 :o left 8 own family to />ve4 ,i've hunt$ = !m all ov]4 ,i've nev] pass$ a poor girl on ! /reet )\t giv+ a help+ h&1 always ?9k+ ( my own sweet si/]1 :o might p]haps be 9 worse circum/ances4 ,mr4 ,ranney1 w y promise me :5ev] y tell t /ory--:i* ,i hope w be v (t5--j to m5tion t girl :o left a ,new ,j]sey t[n "s ye>s ago8 ,say t "m is wait+ = h] daught] ) arms op54 ,say ! lat*-/r+ is out & !re's a welcome4 ,p]haps--:o c tell8--y may be ! means ( s5d+ t daught] back to home & "m6 ,he gave me 8 "n & address1 ! girl's "n also1 & ,i promis$ :at he want$4 ,w\ld to ,god ?is book might be ! means ( unit+ ^! sep>at$ ones & s5d+ ! gray-hair$ "m home to heav5 rejoic+6 ,oh1 h[ _m a "m's girl is 9 bondage to-night = ! want ( a help+ h& & "s k9d fri5d to give advice6 ,illu/ration3 ,,read+ ,,room1 ,,squirrel ,,inn4 ,illu/ration3 ,,m5',s ,,club ,,at ,,*ur* ,,( ,,sea ,,& ,,l&4 ,,*apt] ,,viii ,,b[]y ,,"w ,god moves 9 a my/]i\s way to "w out ,8 ends1 & ,i c te/ify t ,8 deal+s ) me h be5 wond]ful inde$1--f> beyond any?+ t ,i h ev] m]it$4 ,dur+ all ! ye>s s9ce my conv]sion ,i _h always kept 9 t\* ) ,dr4 ,a4 ,f4 ,s*auffl]1 ,sup]9t5d5t ( ! ,city ,mission & ,tract ,society1 visit+ him at 8 (fice once 9 a :ile1 & he 0 always glad to see me4 ,he w\ld ask me ab\t my "w & we w\ld h a little talk toge!r4 ,,lodg+-,,h\se ,,mission>y ,"o day ,i said1 ,dr4 ,s*auffl]1 d y "k ,i'm a protege ( ! ,new ,york ,city ,mission8 ,he said1 ,i "k x1 & we h kept our eyes on y = ! la/ t5 ye>s1 & h decid$ to make y ,lodg+-,h\se ,mission>y to ! ,b[]y1 if y accept4 ,praise ,god6 ,wasn't x wond]ful1 aft] ?irte5 ye>s ( ,god's grace 9 my life1 to get su* an appo9tm5t6 ,lodg+-,h\se ,mission>y--,i c\ldn't und]/& x6 ,x /ruck me z be+ que] 9 ?is way2 ! man :o "u ,god 0 ! means ( my salvation1 :o 0 a mission>y :5 ,i 0 conv]t$1 _h resign$ a few ye>s aft] to become a m9i/]1 & n[ "h 0 ,ranney1 ! ex-crook & drunk1 be+ ask$ to take ! same position6 ,we don't und]/& ,god's ways & purposes2 !y are too wond]ful = u2 b "h ,i am on ! ,b[]y1 my old /amp+-gr\nd1 tell+ ! /ory ( ,jesus & ,8 love4 ,& ,i don't believe !re's a man 9 ?is big _w t has a great] /ory to tell ( ,god's love & m]cies ?an ,i h4 ,i'm writ+ ?is sev5te5 ye>s aft] be+ sav$1 & ,i'll /ill say x's a gr& ?+ to be a ,*ri/ian4 ,i w\ld n g back to ! old life = any?+ 9 ! _w4 ,"p ( my "w has be5 9 ,m>9]s' ,temple1 corn] ( ,oliv] & ,h5ry ,/reets1 ,*a?am ,squ>e1 ,new ,york ,city1 "r on ! spot :]e ,i did ev]y?+ on ! cal5d> b murd]4 ,!re ,i c\ld see ! m5 e night1 = we _h a meet+ all ! ye> r\nd1 & e day f #a to #b ,p4 ,m4 ,we invit$ all ^? :o 7 9 tr\ble to come1 & if we c\ld help !m we gladly did s4 ,if !y want$ to g to ! hospital we plac$ !m !re & w\ld d :atev] we c\ld = !m1 always tell+ !m ( ,jesus ! ,mighty to save4 ,,f ,,no?+ ,,to #ejjj ,a ,,ye> ,i rememb] & love a man :o 0 my p>tn] 9 ! ,tuesday night meet+s 9 ! ,m>9]s' ,temple1 :5 we f$ ! poor fell[s dur+ ! w9t]--a f9e ,*ri/ian g5tleman4 ,y w\ld nev] ?9k to look at him he 0 once su* a drunk>d6 ,he told me 8 /ory4 ,he _h sp5t mon?s hang+ out 9 ! back room ( a saloon on ,p>k ,r[1 only go+ out once 9 a :ile to beg a little food4 ,he _h sold ev]y?+ he c\ld sell & he 0 a case to look at4 ,he mu/ h be51 or ! proprietor w\ld nev] h said1 ,say1 y are a disgrace to ?is place6 ,get out & don't come 9 "h aga96 ,! poor fell[ w5t out4 ,he 0 d[n & out sure en\gh6 ,he ?\ght he w\ld end x all1 & he b5t 8 /eps t[>d ! ,ea/ ,riv]1 int5d+ to jump 91 b 0 *as$ f ! dock by ! wat*man4 ,he pass$ a ,mission1 he>d ! s++1 & w5t 94 ,he he>d m5 t 7 once drunk>ds get up & te/ify to ! p[] ( ,god to save a man4 ,he knew a few ( ! m5 & ?\ght1 ,if ,god c save !m ,he surely c me6 ,:at a lot !re is 9 te/imony = ! o!r fell[6 ,he w5t out t night & slept 9 a hallway4 ,he wait$ until ! ,mission op5$1 & go+ 91 he>d ! same ?+ aga94 ,:5 ! invitation 0 giv5 he w5t =w>d & 0 glori\sly sav$4 ,he did n walk ! /reet t night nor has he s9ce4 ,he w5t to "w at 8 trade--he 0 a pr9t]--& he & 8 de> wife1 :o _h always pray$ = h] husb&1 7 unit$ & are n[ work+ toge!r 9 ! ,ma/]'s v9ey>d4 ,?is 0 ov] ?ree ye>s ago4 ,today ?is man has a position at a sal>y ( #ejjj a ye>6 ,?ree ye>s ago ord]$ out ( a ,p>k ,r[ saloon z a disgrace6 ,doesn't x pay to be a ,*ri/ian & be on ! level6 ,i c\ld g "r on & tell ( hundr$s t h come up & are on top n[4 ,god nev] leaves nor =sakes u if we d our "p4 ,! ,b[]y boys are que] propositions4 ,y c't pu% or drive !m2 !y w res5t x & give y back z good4 ,b if1 on ! o!r h&1 y use a little tact spic$ ) a little k9dness1 y w w9 out ) ! ,b[]y boy e "t4 ,x 0 a k9d ^w & a k9d act t 7 ! means ( sav+ me1 & ,i nev] tire ( giv+ ! same4 ,a ,,mission>y ,,9 ,,c\rt ,i rememb] a few ye>s ago a fell[ 0 arre/$ = hold+ up a man on ,*a?am ,squ>e4 ,n[ ?is fell[ 0 an ex-convict & _h a v bad record1 b he came to our meet+ "o night to see ! pictures ( ,*ri/1 & 0 s t\*$ by !m t he came aga9 & f9ally rais$ 8 h& = pray]s1 & :5 ! invitation 0 giv5 w5t up to ! m]cy seat & 0 sav$4 ,at ! "t he 0 arre/$ he _h be5 a gr& ,*ri/ian = two ye>s4 ,he us$ to pump ! organ4 ,on ?is ,sunday night :5 he 0 arre/$ ,i _h gone ov] to ! ,*9at[n ,mission ) him4 ,:5 he left to g to 8 lodg+-h\se x 0 #aj3cj1 & he 0 arre/$ "r aft] leav+ ! meet+ on ! *>ge ( robb+ a man on ! ,b[]y at #i3cj ,p4,m4 ,:5 he 0 arre/$ he s5t = me & told me :y he 0 arre/$4 ,n[ ,i knew he _h n robb$ any "o :ile he 0 ) me4 ,! day ( 8 trial came on4 ,judge ,crane 0 ! judge--a good clean man4 ,aft] ! man _h sworn t ,j---- 0 ! man :o robb$ him ,i 0 ask$ to g on ! /& & tell :at ,i knew4 ,i told him ,i 0 a mission>y to ! ,b[]y1 & t ,j----1 ! man arre/$1 0 n ! man :o did ! robb+1 = he 0 ) me at ! "t ! robb]y took place4 ,judge ,crane ask$ my "n4 ,i told him & gave him a brief hi/ory ( my pa/ life4 ,he 0 amaz$4 ,!n ,i spoke a few words to ! jury4 ,! case 0 !n giv5 to ! jury1 & aft] tw5ty m9utes !y came 9 ) a v]dict ( n guilty4 ,my de> read]s1 suppose ,reilly 7,ranney71 ! crook ( sixte5 ye>s be=e1 _h be5 on t witness-/&4 ,! ,judge w\ld h ask$ my "n & :5 ,i'd said1 ,reilly1 ! crook1 !y w\ld h s5t bo? ( u (f to prison = life4 ,b ! pa/ has be5 blott$ out ?r\gh ,jesus1 & x 0 ! ^w ( ! r$eem$ crook t set ,j---- free4 ,!re are lots ( cases ,i c\ld write ab\t :]e m5 are arre/$ & s5d = me4 ,i g to ! ,tombs to see !m1 & z ,i g up ! big /one /eps :]e ! visitors g 91 ! big b>r$ gate op5s1 & ! w>d5 t\*es 8 hat & says1 ,h[ d y d1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 & ,i g 94 ,!re's always a que] feel+ comes ov] me :5 t gate is %ut beh9d me4 ,i realize t ,i am com+ out 9 an h\r or s1 b !re 0 a "t :5 ,i 0 %ov$ ?r\gh ! old gate1 & didn't "k :5 ,i w\ld come out4 ,a ,,c\nt ,,disguis$ ,,z ,a ,,tramp ,"o night 9 ,m>9]s' ,temple1 on ,*a?am ,squ>e1 ,i 0 lead+ a meet+ = m52 x 0 ne> clos+ "t & ! invitation _h be5 giv54 ,!re 7 ?ree m5 at ! front on _! knees call+ on ,god to help !m4 ,i look back to t night z "o ,i nev] c =get4 ,"o ( ! m5 :o came up front _h no coat2 x _h be5 /ol5 f him 9 "s saloon :ile he 0 9 a drunk5 sleep1 s he told me4 ,aft] pray] _h be5 (f]$ & we got on our feet we ask$ ! m5 to give _! te/imony4 ,9 fact1 ,i ?9k x is a good ?+ = !m to te/ify1 z x helps !m :5 !y h decl>$ !mselves be=e ! o!rs4 ,!y ea* gave a %ort te/imony 9 :i* !y said t !y int5d$ to lead a bett] life1 ) ,god's help4 ,! man )\t a coat said he _h b himself to blame = 8 condition1 &1 if ,god w\ld help him1 he 0 go+ to be a bett] man4 ,i saw to x t ! man _h a lodg+ & some?+ to eat1 :5 out f ! audi5ce /epp$ a f9e-look+ man ) a coat 9 8 h& & told ! man to put x on4 ,i look$ at ! man 9 a/oni%m5t4 ,he 0 ab\t five-feet-t51 ( f9e appe>ance1 a little 9 ne$ ( a %ave & a little wat]1 b ! man /ick+ out ( him all ov]4 ,x is n ! clo!s t make ! man1 = "h 0 a man :o hadn't any?+ 9 ! way ( clo!s1 b y c\ld tell by look+ at him t he 0 a g5tleman4 ,i j /ood & look$ at him z he help$ ! o!r fell[ on ) ! coat4 ,i ?\ght x "o ( ! gr&e/ acts ,i ev] saw4 ,he 0 foll[+ ,*ri/'s comm& ab\t ! man hav+ two coats giv+ 8 bro!r "o4 ,i saw ! man _h on an ov]coat1 b1 ev5 s1 x 0 a gr& act1 & ,i told him s4 ,i did n see him aga9 = "s "t1 :5 "o night1 ab\t a week aft] ! coat affair1 ,i saw him sitt+ among ! m5 at ! ,doy] ,/reet ,midnight ,mission1 ( :i* ,i _h *>ge4 ,i w5t ov] :]e he 0 sitt+ & :ile %ak+ h&s ) him said1 ,say1 t 0 ! gr&e/ act y ev] did :5 y gave t man y\r coat4 ,:at did y d x =8 ,y don't seem to h any too mu* ( ?is _w's goods4 ,h[ did x happ58 ,are y a ,*ri/ian8 ,:o are y8 ,he look$ at me a mom5t & said1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 if ,i c g into y\r (fice ,i'll tell y all ab\t x4 ,we w5t into ! (fice1 & he said1 ,h[ did y f9d me out8 ,well1 ! "q 0 a que] "o to me4 ,h[ did ,i f9d him out8 ,i didn't "k :at he meant1 b ,i didn't tell him s2 ,i j smil$4 ,well1 he said he 0 a ,fr5* ,c\nt 7:i* 0 true71 ov] "h writ+ a book ab\t ! *>itable in/itutions 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,he _h be5 9 ,*icago1 ,san ,francisco1 & 9 fact1 all ov] ! ,/ates1 = po9ts = 8 book4 ,he told me :at he _h & hadn't done4 ,he _h work$ 9 wood-y>ds = *>ity organizations2 _h giv5 himself up & gone to ! ,isl&2 /ood 9 bread-l9es2 9 fact1 he _h done ev]y?+ ! tramp does :5 he is d[n & out4 ,i took q a fancy to him4 ,he took me up to 8 room 9 ,eighte5? ,/reet1 %[$ me 8 cr$5tials1 & we became q *ummy4 ,we us$ to d ! slums act1 & ,i w\ld put on an old suit ( clo!s s ,i w\ldn't be kn[n4 ,we w\ld /& 9 ! bread-l9e j l ! re/ ( !m & get our roll & c(fee4 ,x rem9d$ me ( my old life1 & sometimes ,i w\ld imag9e ,i 0 d[n & out aga91 b x's diff]5t :5 y h a little *ange 9 y\r pocket4 ,a doll> makes a big diff]5ce1 & y c nev] appreciate ! feel+s ( a poor d[n & out if y nev] 7 !re y\rself4 ,we _h be5 go+ ar\nd toge!r = ab\t ?ree or f\r weeks :5 "o day he %[$ me a cable dispat* f ,p>is tell+ him he 0 want$ & to come at once4 ,we _h _h a nice "t toge!r & ,i 0 sorry he 0 go+4 ,he ask$ me = "o ( my pictures to put 9 8 book1 :i* ,i gave him4 ,!n he want$ to "k :at he c\ld d = me4 ,i ?\ght a mom5t1 !n said1 ,give ! poor fell[s a fe$ ,sunday night4 ,i 0 ! ,sunday night lead] & ,i want$ him on ! plat=m4 ,he said1 ,all "r4 ,be at ! ,mission ,sunday aft]noon4 ,ab\t #e ,p4 ,m4 !re drove up to ! ,mission door a c>riage ) a man 9 x :o said1 ,is ?is #ag ,dov] ,/reet1 & is y\r "n ,mr4 ,ranney8 ,i said1 ,yes4 ,he _h f\r l>ge hamp]s fill$ ) s&wi*es1 :i* we c>ri$ into ! ,mission4 ,he said he 0 ! ,c\nt's valet & ! ,c\nt wi%$ him to make tea = ! m54 ,i said1 ,all "r4 ,i ?\ght x w\ld be a *ange = ! m51 al?\gh c(fee w\ld h be5 all "r4 ,! tea 0 made & ev]y?+ 0 ready = ! fe$4 ,i want$ ! pap]s to "k ab\t x1 s ,i s5t my assi/ant to ! (fice & told ! report]s t a real ,fr5* ,c\nt 0 go+ to give a fe$ t night4 ,!y 7 on h& & ! next day ! pap]s all _h an acc\nt ( x4 ,z soon z ! doors op5$ ! m5 came 9 & ! place 0 jamm$ to ! limit4 ,! meet+ 0 op5$ ) pray]1 !n ! s&wi*es & tea 7 pass$ ar\nd4 ,! ,c\nt1 we>+ a dress-suit1 0 sitt+ on ! plat=m4 ,i introduc$ him z ! man ( ! h\r :o _h giv5 ! lay-out to ! boys4 ,!y ?ank$ him ) ?ree *e]s4 ,i ask$ ! m5 to look him ov] & see if !y _h ev] se5 him be=e4 ,n[ ! ,b[]y m5 are %>p1 & ov] sev5ty-five h&s w5t up4 ,!y _h se5 him some:]e1 9 ,mission bread-l9es & diff]5t places4 ,! ,c\nt spoke = ab\t five m9utes & !n sat d[n4 ,he sail$ on ! foll[+ ,tuesday & ,i nev] met him aga94 ,he may be 9 ,london = all ,i "k1 /udy+ up some?+ else4 ,b ,i'm sure he enjoy$ himself :5 fe$+ ! m54 ,& ,i h (t5 ?\ght1 no matt] :o or :at he 01 he _h 8 he>t 9 ! "r spot4 ,god wants m5 ( 8 /amp1 = ,he c use !m = ,8 honor & glory4 ,a ,,musician ,,won ,,to ,,*ri/ ,!re isn't a week passes 9 my "w t !re are n "s specially int]e/+ happ5+s4 ,"o ,w$nesday night ab\t six mon?s ago we 7 hav+ our usual ,w$nesday night meet+4 ,i f\nd ,i did n h any "o to play ! piano2 my play] _h n yet come4 ,i did n worry ov] t1 h[ev]1 z sometimes we _h to g on & h a meet+ )\t music4 ,i g5]ally ask$ if any "o c\ld play1 & ,i did s ?is night4 ,pres5tly a man came up ! aisle4 ,i ask$1 ,c y play8 ,he said1 ,a little4 ,:at numb] %all ,i play8 ,i said1 ,i guess we w s+ my favorite hymn1 ',:5 ! ,roll ,is ,call$ up ,yond]1 ,i'll ,be ,!re4' ,he f\nd ! hymn & :5 he began to play ,i saw t he 0 a real musician4 ,he made t old piano fairly talk4 ,ah1 said ,i1 "h is ano!r 'volunte] organi/4' ,i _h se5 ! man & talk$ ) him lots ( times be=e1 b always took him = a common drunk>d4 ,y c't tell :at an old coat cov]s4 ,aft] ! meet+ ,i _h a little talk ) him & ask$ him :y he 0 9 su* a condition4 ,oh1 he answ]$1 x's ! old1 old /ory1 ,mr4 ,ranney--! dr9k habit4 ,i "k :at y are go+ to say3 :y don't ,i cut x out8 ,well1 ,i c't4 ,i h tri$ "t & aga94 ,i'll g on dr9k+ until ,i die4 ,i told him to /op try+ & ask ,god to help him1 j to lean on ,8 arm1 ,he w\ldn't let him fall4 ,i left him ?9k+ x ov]1 & ,i kept track ( him1 gett+ 9 an odd ^w "h & !re & giv+ him food & lodg+4 ,9 f\r weeks we won out & he became a good ,*ri/ian man4 ,n[ he plays at our meet+s & takes a %>e 9 !m1 giv+ 8 te/imony4 ,i've _h him ov] to my home _m times4 ,he takes great delight 9 our g>d5 !re & waits ) long+ = ,?ursday to come1 = t's ! day he visits u1 ! be/ "o 9 ! week = him4 ,!re's no?+ l ! c\ntry = build+ a man up4 ,?is man came f a good ,g]man family1 & c play ?ree in/rum5ts1 piano1 viol91 & cl>9et4 ,i ask$ him if he 0 m>ri$4 ,no1 he answ]$1 ?ank ,god ,i nev] 0 m>ri$4 ,i h n t s9 on my s\l6 ,i've done ne>ly ev]y?+ any "o else has done3 be5 9 prison _m a "t1 drank & walk$ ! /reets lots ( nights4 ,i've writt5 home to my "m & told h] ,i _h tak5 h] ,jesus z m9e1 &1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 "h's a lett] f h]4 ,i read ! lett]4 ,x 0 ! same old lett]1 ! k9d ^? lov+ mo!rs write to _! wayw>d boys1 ?ank+ ,god t %e liv$ to see h] boy conv]t$ & tell+ him ! door 0 always op51 & = him to come home4 ,h[ _m mo!rs all ov] ! _w are pray+ = _! boys t !y h n se5 = ye>s1 boys :o p]haps are dead or 9 prison6 ,god help ^? mo!rs6 ,,sav$ ,,?r\gh ,,an ,,outdoor ,,meet+ ,"p ( my "w consi/s 9 hold+ outdoor meet+s4 ,?r\gh my fri5d ,dan ,sullivan ,i receiv$ a lic5se = /reet prea*+1 s :5ev] an opportunity op5s ,i speak a ^w = ! ,ma/]1 sometimes on a tempor>y plat=m1 sometimes /&+ on a truck1 & sometimes f ! ,gospel ,wagon4 ,x is 9 season & out ( season1 "h1 !re1 & ev]y:]e1 if we are to get hold ( ! m5 :o don't g ne> ! *ur*es or ev5 ! missions4 ,"o night :ile hold+ an outdoor meet+ on ! ,b[]y at ,bleeck] ,/reet1 ,i 0 speak+ along ! l9e ( dr9k & ! t]rible curse x 01 h[ x made m5 brutes & all t 0 mean1 tell+ ab\t ! prodigal & h[ ,god sav$ him & w\ld save to ! utt]mo/4 ,!re 7 q a numb] ( m5 ar\nd li/5+4 ,! meet+ end$ & we _h giv5 all an invitation to come into ! ,mission4 ,"o "y man1 well dress$1 came up to me &1 tak+ my h&1 said he believ$ e ^w ,i said4 ,i saw at a glance he 0 n ( ! ,b[]y type4 ,i got to talk+ to him & ask$ him into ! ,mission4 ,he said he _h nev] be5 into a place l t 9 8 life & did n take any /ock 9 !m1 b my talk _h int]e/$ him4 ,he c\ld n und]/& h[ ,i _h giv5 up su* a life z ,i said ,i _h l$ & _h n tak5 a dr9k 9 sixte5 ye>s4 ,i said ,i _h n done ?is 9 my own /r5g?1 b t ,god _h help$ me w9 out1 & t ,god w\ld help any "o t want$ to be help$4 ,we got q fri5dly & he told me all ab\t himself4 ,he _h j got 8 two weeks' sal>y1 :i* am\nt$ to #cf4jj4 ,he 0 m>ri$ & _h two sweet little *ildr5 & a lov+ wife wait+ = him upt[n4 ,he told me he _h tak5 a few dr9ks1 z ,i c\ld pla9ly see1 & he 0 go+ d[n to see ! ,b[]y & d a little sight-see+ 9 ,*9at[n4 ,i knew if he w5t any fur!r he w\ld be a m>k] = ! pickpocket or o!rs & w\ld "k no?+ 9 a little :ile1 s ,i tri$ to get him into ! ,mission1 & aft] q a :ile succe$$1 & we took a seat "r by ! door4 ,he 0 j tipsy en\gh to fall asleep1 & ,i let him d x1 = a little sleep (t5 does ^! m5 a great deal ( good1 *ang+ all _! ?\ghts :5 !y wake4 ,:5 he woke ! te/imonies 7 be+ giv54 ,i rose to my feet & gave my te/imony1 & sat d[n aga94 ,! invitation came next1 = all ^? t want$ ?is ,jesus to /&4 ,i tri$ to get him on 8 feet1 b he w\ld n take a /&2 /ill ! se$ _h be5 s[n4 ,he told me :]e he 0 work+ & :]e he liv$--wrote x d[n = me4 ,he 0 b5t on go+1 s ,i said ,i w\ld g up to ! corn] ) him4 ,he want$ "o m dr9k--! ,devil's temptation6--b at la/ ,i coax$ him to ! ,elevat$ ,/ation at ,h\/on ,/reet4 ,he said1 ,i wi% y c\ld see my home & family4 ,w y come up ) me8 ,x 0 #aj ,p4 ,m4 & go+ w\ld mean home = me ab\t ! e>ly h\rs4 ,b ,i w5t up to ! ,bronx1 got to 8 home1 saw him 91 0 bidd+ him good-night2 no?+ w\ld d b ,i %\ld come 94 ,he _h a nice little flat ( five rooms4 ,i 0 introduc$ to 8 wife1 :o 0 a p]fect lady4 ,he want$ to s5d out = be]4 ,i object$1 & 8 wife said1 ,george1 don't dr9k any m6 ,i ?9k y h _h en\gh4 ,n[ 0 ! "t = me to get 9 a little ( ,god's "w1 s ,i told him my life1 & :at dr9k did = me1 & ,i _h an att5tive audi5ce4 ,:5 ,i f9i%$1 8 wife said1 ,i wi% my husb& w\ld take y\r ,jesus1 ,mr4 ,ranney4 ,i'm a ,*ri/ian1 b1 oh1 ,i'd give any?+ if ,george w\ld take ,*ri/ & give up 8 dr9k+6 ,he made all k9ds ( objections & excuses1 b we plead$ & pray$4 ,god 0 work+ ) t man1 & at #c o'clock 9 ! morn+ we knelt d[n1 ! wife1 ! husb& & ,i1 way up 9 ! ,bronx1 & ,god did mightily save ,george4 ,he w5t to 8 bus9ess on ,monday sob]4 ,t 0 ?ree ye>s ago1 & he has held out well4 ,he has be5 advanc$ twice1 ) a raise 9 sal>y1 & comes d[n to help me 9 my "w on ! ,b[]y4 ,god has bless$ him wond]fully1 & ,he w any "o :o has fai? to believe4 ,,jim ,,! ,,bricklay] ,:]e ,i meet s _m m5 e day & h s _m confessions & try to l5d a help+ h& 9 s _m places1 ,i d =get "s ( ! m51 = x seems z ?\gh !re 0 an endless procession ( !m ?r\gh ! ,b[]y4 ,b "s cases /& out s prom95tly t ,i %all nev] =get !m4 ,i rememb] "o man 9 p>ticul> :o us$ to come into ! ,mission4 ,he 0 "o ( ! regul>s & 0 ne>ly always drunk4 ,he us$ to want u to s+ all ! "t4 ,he 0 a f9e fell[1 b d[n & out1 & e c5t he c\ld e>n w5t to ! saloons4 ,i w\ld talk to him ne>ly e night & ask him :y he did n /op 8 dr9k+4 ,he w\ld li/51 b ! next night he w\ld be drunk j ! same4 ,!re 0 good /uff 9 him1 = he 0 a good bricklay] & c\ld make f #e4jj to #f4jj p] day4 ,he told me he 0 m>ri$1 & 8 wife & two *ildr5 7 9 ,syracuse1 liv+ p]haps on *>ity1 :ile he1 in/ead ( mak+ a liv+ = !m & giv+ !m a good home1 0 "h on ! ,b[]y dr9k+ himself to dea?4 ,he w\ld (t5 say1 ,danny1 if ,i c\ld only sob] up & be a man & g back to my family1 ,i'd give any?+4 ,b :at's ! use ( try+8 ,i c't /op1 & ,i wi% sometimes t ,i 0 dead4 ,& sometimes1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 ,i'm tempt$ to end x all 9 ! riv]4 ,i reason$ ) ?is man "t & "t aga91 b ) no effect4 ,he knew x 0 ! "r way to live1 b ?\ght x 0 n = him1 & ,i ?\ght t if a man 0 ev] gone x 0 t "y man4 ,"o night z ! invitation 0 be+ giv5 ,i caught 8 eye & ,i said1 ,jim1 come up front & get rid ( t dr9k4 ,b he said1 ,:at's ! use8 ,i w5t d[n1 took him by ! h&1 l$ him up front1 & we all knelt d[n & ask$ ,god to save ^! poor m54 ,i ask$ !m all to pray = !mselves & :5 ,i got to ,jim ,i said1 ,jim1 n[ pray4 ,& he said1 ,"l1 help me to be a man & cut ! 'booze' out ( my life = ,jesus' sake4 ,am54 ,he meant bus9ess t night & 0 z s9c]e z c\ld be4 ,we all got up f our knees1 & ,i put ! usual "q to !m all1 n[ t !y _h tak5 ,jesus1 :at 7 !y go+ to d8 ,x came ,jim's turn1 & he said1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 ,i've ask$ ,god to help me1 & ,i'm go+ out ( ?is ,mission & ,i'm n go+ to dr9k any m :iskey4 ,!n almo/ 9 ! same brea? he said1 ,i wond] if ,god w give me a pair ( pants4 ,t creat$ a smile 9 ! audi5ce4 ,i knew ,i c\ld get ,jim a pair ( pants1 & he ne$$ !m badly4 ,j imag9e a man six feet tall ) a pair ( pants on t rea*$ j bel[ ! knees1 & y h ,jim4 ,i said1 ,jim1 y h ask$ ,god to help y1 & ,he w if y let him4 ,if y keep sob] until ,friday night1 & come 9 "h e night & give y\r te/imony1 no matt] h[ %ort1 ,god w s5d y a pair ( pants4 ,?is 0 on ,monday night1 my own special night4 ,i knew if ,jim came 9 e night sob]1 some?+ 0 do+4 ,tuesday night came1 & sure en\gh !re 0 ,jim ) 8 te/imony4 ,he got up & ?ank$ ,god = be+ "o day )\t tak+ a dr9k4 ,i said1 ,praise ,god6 ,keep x up1 ,jim6 ,w$nesday night ,jim ?ank$ ,god = two days' victory4 ,he 0 do+ f9ely4 ,?ursday came1 & ,jim 0 !re ) 8 te/imony ( ?ree days sav$4 ,he _h "o m day to g be=e he got 8 pants4 ,friday night came & ,i _h gone up & got ! pants1 b no ,jim made 8 appe>ance4 ,ne> clos+ "t ! door op5$ & 9 walk$ ,jim4 ,he /ood back & j ro>$ out1 ,danny1 ,i'm z drunk z a fool2 ,i've lo/ ! pants6 !n walk$ out4 ,i did n see him = a c\ple ( nights1 !n he came into ! ,mission1 sat d[n & 0 fairly quiet4 ,i rea*$ him 9 ! c\rse ( ! ev5+ & %ook h&s ) him1 b ,i did n say a ^w ab\t 8 go+ back4 ,t worri$ him a good deal1 = he said1 ,dan1 are y mad ) me8 ,i said1 ,no1 ,jim1 ,i'm mad ) ! ,devil1 & ,i wi% ,i c\ld kick him out ( y & kill him4 ,jim smil$ & said1 ,y're a que] "o4 ,i did n give ,jim up1 b ,i did n say any?+ to him ab\t giv+ up ! dr9k aga9 = ab\t a week4 ,he w\ld always be 9 ! meet+ & ,i w\ld notice him ) a h&%ake & a smile4 ,i c\ld see he 0 ?9k+ q h>d & he 0 n dr9k+ z mu* z he _h be54 ,i 0 pray+ = t man1 & ,i 0 sure t ,he 0 go+ to give me ,jim4 ,"o night ab\t a mon? aft] ,jim _h tri$ ! fir/ "t1 ,i 0 giv+ ! invitation to ! m51 z usual1 = all :o want$ ?is salvation to come =w>d & let u pray ) !m4 ,aft] coax+ & plead+ ) !m !re 7 six fell[s t came =w>d & knelt d[n1 :5 to my a/oni%m5t :o came walk+ up ! aisle b ,jim6 ,he knelt d[n ) ! o!rs & pray$4 ,i did n "k :at ! pray] 01 b :5 he rose he w5t back & took 8 seat & said no?+4 ,a mon? w5t by to a day4 ,!re 7 te/imonies e night f all ov] ! ,mission ab\t :at ,god _h done & 0 do+1 b ,jim nev] gave ! fir/ ^w ( te/imony4 ,i (t5 wond]$ :y4 ,?is night he got on 8 feet1 & ?is is :at he said3 ,m51 ,i've be5 ev]y?+ t's bad & mean1 a crook & a drunk>d1 sep>at$ f wife & *ildr51 a good-=-no?+ man4 ,i want to /& "h be=e y p & ?ank ,god = keep+ me = "o :ole mon?2 &1 m51 ?is is ! happie/ mon? ,i've sp5t 9 my life4 ,i ask$ ,god to help me & ,he is do+ s4 ,i only wi% "s ( y m5 w\ld take ,jesus z y\r fri5d & keep] ! same z ,i h4 ,i'm go+ to /ick1 ) ,god's help4 ,i want y ,*ri/ian p to keep on pray+ = me1 z ,i feel "s "o has1 & he sat d[n4 ,oh1 h[ ,i did ?ank ,god = t te/imony6 ,y "k a p]son c tell ! true r+ ( any?+1 gold1 silv]1 brass1 ev]y?+1 & ,i knew ! r+ ( t te/imony4 ,jim /ay$ aft] ! meet+ & we talk$ ?+s ov] pretty well4 ,he 0 a me*anic1 b 8 tools 7 9 pawn4 ,i said1 ,jim1 ,i'll meet y to-morr[ & we w g & get y\r tools out4 ,9 ! morn+ ,jim & ,i w5t d[n to ! pawnbrok] 9 ,new ,*amb]s ,/reet1 & ,jim produc$ ! tickets1 paid ! money due1 ) int]e/1 & receiv$ 8 /ock 9 trade1 ! tools4 ,! next ?+ 0 a job4 ,i knew a boss mason :o 0 putt+ up a build+ 9 ,ca!r9e ,/reet4 ,we saw ! boss & he took ,jim on4 ,he w5t to "w & made good4 ,he w\ld always come & see me at night1 & always te/ify to ,god's keep+ p[]4 ,he w\ld ask me1 ,d y ?9k ,i c get back to my wife & *ildr5 aga98 ,yes1 ,i w\ld answ]2 wait a little :ile4 ,h y writt5 to h]8 ,yes4 ,got any answ]8 ,yes1 a c\ple ( lett]s1 b ,i don't ?9k %e takes any /ock 9 my conv]sion4 ,dan1 c't we h our pictures tak5 toge!r8 ,i h writt5 my wife a lot ab\t y4 ,i told h] y 7 worse ?an ,i ev] 04 ,p]haps if %e sees our faces & sees h[ ,i look1 %e may ?9k ( old times & give me "o m *ance4 ,jim _h be5 f\r mon?s conv]t$ at ?is "t1 & ,god _h him by ! h&4 ,x 0 great to see t big /rong man1 l a little *ild 9 ,god's love4 ,we w5t out & _h our pictures tak5 & ,jim ask$ me to write & urge 8 wife to give him "o m *ance4 ,i did z ,jim want$ me2 9 fact1 ,i wrote h] ab\t ev]y?+ he said & enclos$ ! picture4 ,e night ,jim w\ld come ar\nd ) ! "q1 ,danny1 any ^w f up ,/ate yet8 ,n yet1 ,jim3 h a little pati5ce1 %e w write soon4 ,we f9ally got ! long$-= lett]1 b x wasn't favorable4 ,among o!r ?+s %e said %e took no /ock 9 h] husb&1 & t %e knew he 0 ! same old good-=-no?+1 etc4 ,x 0 h>d l9es = poor ,jim1 :o 0 read+ t lett] ov] my %\ld]4 ,i look$ at him4 ,i c\ld see "s ( ! old ,devil come into 8 eyes4 ,! wife little knew :at an escape ,jim _h !n & !re4 ,i *e]$ him up & we got on our knees & pray$ good & h>d1 & ,god he>d ! pray] & ,jim 0 sail+ /raight once m & tru/+ ,jesus4 ,a ?\ght fla%$ ?r\gh my m9d1 & ,i said1 ,jim1 h y any money8 ,yes1 he said1 ,i h ov] sixty doll>s4 ,he gave me ! money & we w5t to ! po/(fice & ,i took out a money-ord] to ,mrs4 ,jim1 ,syracuse1 ,n4 ,y41 = sixty doll>s & s5t x on sign$ by ,jim & took ! receipt & put x 9 my pocket4 ,five days aft] ,i 0 sitt+ at my desk 9 ! ,mission4 ,a knock came to ! door4 ,i said1 ,come 91 & a woman ) two little girls ent]$4 ,i plac$ a *air & wait$4 ,%e said1 ,y are ,mr4 ,ranney4 ,i recognize y f y\r picture4 ,%e 0 ,jim's wife1 z %e told me4 ,!n %e began ab\t h] tr\bles ) h] husb&3 he 0 a good man1 b he w\ld dr9k4 ,%e said1 ,i beg9 to ?9k t ,jim has religion1 = if he hadn't some?+ ne> x1 he w\ld nev] h s5t me ! money4 ,d y ?9k he is all "r1 ,mr4 ,ranney8 ,to :i* ,i answ]$ t ,i really believ$ he 01 & t he w\ld be a good husb& & fa!r4 ,i ask$ h] if %e 0 a ,*ri/ian1 & %e said1 ,yes1 ,i g to *ur* & d ! be/ ,i c4 ,i told h] go+ to *ur* 0 a good ?+1 b to h ,jesus 9 y\r he>t & home is a bett] "o4 ,%e want$ to see ,jim1 s we w5t r\nd to :]e he 0 work+4 ,!re he 0 up f\r /ories lay+ front brick4 ,i wat*$ him1 s did 8 wife4 ,f9ally ,i put my h&s l a trumpet & call$1 ,hello1 ,jim6 ,jim look$ d[n1 see+ me1 & !n look+ at ! woman & *ildr5 a mom5t he dropp$ ev]y?+1 & to wat* t man come d[n t ladd] 0 a sight4 ,he ru%$ ov]1 ?rew 8 arms ar\nd 8 wife1 !n took ! little girls 9 8 arm1 & :at joy !re 06 ,!re 0 no m "w t day4 ,jim %[$ h] ! saloons he us$ to get drunk 91 & he did n =get to %[ ! place :]e he 0 conv]t$1 & on t v spot we all _h a nice little pray]-meet+1 & z a f9ale1 ,mrs4 ,jim took ,jesus1 say+1 ,if ,he did all t = ,jim1 ,i want ,him too4 ,!y are back 9 ,syracuse1 liv+ happily4 ,jim has a class ( boys 9 ! ,sunday-s*ool & is a deacon 9 ! *ur*4 ,i _h ! pleasure ( eat+ d9n] 9 _! home4 ,i (t5 get a lett] f ,jim1 tell+ ( ,god's goodness4 ,he says he w nev] =get ! fight he made = ! pants or 8 fri5d ,danny ,ranney4 ,illu/ration3 ,,"o ,,( ,,mr4 ,,ranney',s ,,op5-,,air ,,meet+s4 ,,*apt] ,,ix ,,prodigal ,,sons ,a ,,cesspool ,! ,b[]y has always be5 a notori\s ?or\ghf>e4 ,tw5ty ye>s ago !re 7 few places 9 ! _w t = crime1 vice & degradation c\ld be comp>$ ) x4 ,_m *anges = ! bett] h tak5 place 9 ! la/ few ye>s1 h[ev]4 ,foll[+ ! ,lex[ ,commission inve/igation1 scores ( ! wor/ haunts ( wick$ness 7 clos$ & vice became less conspicu\s4 ,! ,b[]y1 h[ev]1 /ill ma9ta9s its individuality z a bre$+-place ( crime4 ,x is /ill ! cesspool = all ?+s bad4 ,f all ov] ! _w !y come to ! ,b[]y4 ,! lodg+-h\ses give !m *eap qu>t]s1 f #g c5ts to #ej c5ts p] night4 ,^! places %elt] #cj1jjj to #dj1jjj m5 & boys nightly1 to brea! a fetid & pollut$ air4 ,^? :o h n ! price--& ,god kn[s !y are _m--homeless & we>y1 ab\t ready to die1 sleep 9 hallways1 empty trucks1 any place = a lie-d[n4 ,"s ( ! lodg+-h\ses are fairly respectable & run on a good scale1 & o!rs are ! resort ( ! l[e/ k9d ( human outca/s4 ,on "o floor1 ! air poison$ beyond description1 ! b$s dirty1 w be f\nd ov] a hundr$ m51 ( all classes1 f ! petty ?ief to ! ,we/]n tra9-wreck]1 loaf]s1 drug-fi5ds1 p]haps a "o-"t college man1 :o ?r\gh ! curse ( dr9k has got !re4 ,b !y are n all bad on ! ,b[]y4 ,no "o n kn[+ ! conditions c imag9e :at a l>ge class !re is :o w\ld "w if !y c\ld get x1 b once d[n x's h>d to get up4 ,a few weeks ( ?is life wrecks !m & makes old m5 ( !m4 ,no "o b ,god c help !m1 & mo/ ( !m g d[n to e>ly graves unkn[n4 ,a ,,rem>kable ,,drunk>d ,i knew once "o ( ! be/ lawy]s ( 8 day1 liv+ "h a little (f ,*a?am ,squ>e1 9 a lodg+-h\se1 br\ght !re ?r\gh rum4 ,i've kn[n m51 lawy]s1 com+ to see ?is man & gett+ 8 op9ion on legal matt]s4 ,he _h _m su* visitors 9 8 room1 b he wasn't wor? any?+ unless he 0 ab\t half full ( :iskey4 ,^! m5 w\ld "k t4 ,!y w\ld br+ a c\ple bottles ( ! /uff1 z ?\gh = a social "t1 & !n ask him que/ions p]ta9+ to ! case 9 h&4 ,!n he w\ld imag9e himself ! lawy] ( old days1 & plead z he saw ! case1 & he 0 "r n9e times out ( t56 ,oh1 :at a future t man _h ?r[n away = ! ,devil's /uff1 rum6 ,^? lawy]s w\ld g away ) advice f t man wor? ?\s&s ( doll>s1 b\ght ) a few bottles ( :iskey4 ,he told me he _h left 8 wife & family to save !m f %ame4 ,he has sons & daught]s 9 good /&+4 ,!y nev] see him want = any?+ & pay 8 room-r5t ye>ly1 only he mu/ n g ne> !m4 ,,=giv+ ,,= ,,*ri/',s ,,sake ,:]e ,i am locat$ at ?is writ+1 at ! ,squirrel ,inn1 ,no4 #aca ,b[]y1 is a gr& place = my "w4 ,i come 9 t\* ) all classes1 & :5 ,i see a man or a boy t ,i ?9k w /ick1 ,i rig him up1 put a front on him & back him until he gets "w4 ,i wi% ,i _h m clo!s s ,i c\ld help m m51 b at lea/ ,i c give !m a h&%ake1 a k9d ^w1 & a pray]1 & t1 by ,god's grace1 c "w wond]s = ! poor fell[s4 ,!re's n a man or boy comes 9 t ,i d n see1 & ,i m+le ) !m & get _! h>d-luck /ories1 also _! good-luck ones4 ,sitt+ !re at my desk1 ,i glance d[n ! room1 & ,i c tell at a glance ! newcom]s & ! regul>s4 ,i c tell :at has br\ght !m !re4 ,ov] at "o ( ! tables try+ to read sat "o day a man ab\t fifty1 8 clo!s worn & ?readb>e1 b we>+ a coll>1 & t's a good sign4 ,i beckon$ him to come ov] to me & ,i po9t$ to a *air1 tell+ him to sit d[n4 ,if t *air c\ld only speak1 :at a tale x c\ld tell ( ! m5 :o h sat !re & told _! life /ories6 ,i ask$ him h[ he came to be !re1 & he told me ! same old /ory t c be summ$ up 9 "o ^w--dr9k6 ,he came f up ! ,/ate1 at "o "t own$ a f>m outside ( ,oswego1 & 0 liv+ happily4 ,he 0 a *ur* memb] & bore a good "n4 ,i us$ to take an odd dr9k1 b always ?\ght ,i c\ld d )\t x1 said he4 ,eighte5 ye>s ago ,i lo/ my wife & to dr[n my sorr[ ,i got drunk4 ,i _h nev] be5 intoxicat$ be=e1 & ,i kept at x = ov] ?ree mon?s1 & :5 ,i began to come to myself1 ,i 0 told t ,i _h to get out ( my home4 ,i c\ldn't und]/& x1 b ,i 0 told ,i _h sold my f>m & ev]y?+ ,i own$ = a paltry #bjj to a saloon-keep]1 :o ,i ?\ght 0 my de>e/ fri5d6 ,t happ5$ eighte5 ye>s ago1 & ,i've be5 pretty ne> all ov] ! _w s9ce !n1 sometimes hungry1 sometimes 9 pretty good %ape1 b ,i'll nev] =get t saloon-keep]4 ,i'll see him aga91 & he w pay = :at he did6 ,i gave t man a ticket = lodg+ & a c\ple ( meals4 ,we talk$ ab\t 8 e>ly life1 & ,i ask$ :y he didn't />t out & be a ,*ri/ian & n h>bor a grudge2 to let ,god puni% t saloon-keep]4 ,i told him ,i'd be5 ?r\gh some?+ l ! same exp]i5ce1 a man ^: ^w ,i tru/$ sell+ me "s ,h>bor ,*>t /ock & mak+ me ?9k he 0 do+ me a good turn1 & ,i lo/ sev]al hundr$ doll>s4 ,t 0 9 ! ye>s :5 ,i fir/ />t$ to be a ,*ri/ian4 ,i _h ! h>de/ "t to =give ?is man1 b ?ank ,god ,i did6 ,i reason$ ) t man day aft] day & saw t ! light 0 break+ 9 8 he>t4 ,weeks w5t on1 & he came to a po9t :]e he took ,jesus z 8 guide & fri5d1 & to-day he is a f9e ,*ri/ian g5tleman4 ,i h _h him te/ify+ 9 ! *ur* to ! p[] ( ,*ri/ to save a man4 ,he tells me he has =giv5 t saloon-man = ,*ri/'s sake4 ,,sav$ ,,on ,,! ,,?re%old ,,( ,,vice ,"o aft]noon ab\t #e o'clock ,i 0 sitt+ at my desk at ! ,mission ,room :5 ,i notic$ among ! m5 :o came !re to read & re/ & p]haps take a nap1 a "y man1 a boy r1 clean & we>+ good clo!s4 ,i look$ at him a mom5t & ?\ght1 ,he has got into ! wrong place4 ,i spoke to him1 z is my habit1 & ask$ him :at he 0 do+ !re4 ,i br\ght him ov] & got him to sit d[n 9 t old *air :]e s _m confessions are made to me & said k9dly1 ,well1 :at's y\r /ory8 ,i ?\ght ( my own boy1 & my he>t w5t out to ?is "y fell[4 ,he said1 ,y are ,mr4 ,ranney4 ,i've (t5 he>d ab\t y1 & ,i'm glad to see y n[4 ,he told me h[ he _h giv5 up 8 job on ,eigh? ,av5ue ar\nd #abe? ,/reet ! day be=e4 ,he _h _h a run 91 z he call$ x1 at home1 & _h det]m9$ to get out4 ,8 "m _h m>ri$ a second "t1 & 8 /epfa!r & he c\ld n agree on a s+le ?+4 ,he lov$ 8 "m1 b c\ld n /& ! /epfa!r4 ,he _h drawn 8 pay at ! jewelry /ore :]e he 0 work+ & _h sp5t ! night be=e at a hotel upt[n1 int5d+ to look = a job ! next day4 ,he _h ris5 at #h ,a4 ,m4 int5d+ to get "w be=e 8 eight doll>s 0 all gone4 ,well1 ! money 0 burn+ a hole 9 8 pocket4 ,he want$ to see a %[ & he came d[n on ! ,b[]y & got into a *eap vaudeville %[1 & q enjoy$ himself4 ,i came out ( t %[1 he said1 & w5t into a re/aurant to eat1 & :5 ,i w5t to pay ! ca%i] ,i did n h a c5t 9 my pocket4 ,! boss ( ! place said t 0 an old /ory4 ,he 0 n !re to fe$ p = no?+4 ,i said ,i _h be5 robb$ or lo/ my money someh[1 b he w\ldn't believe me4 ,he want$ 8 tw5ty c5ts1 or he w\ld h me arre/$4 ,oh1 he 0 mad = fair1 ,mr4 ,ranney4 ,he got me by my coat-coll> & %ook me & said ,i 0 a ?ief1 & he f9i%$ up by kick+ me ?r\gh ! door1 & "h ,i am d[n on ! ,b[]y homeless4 ,ano!r "y fell[ gone wrong6 ,c\ld ,i help him8 ,i urg$ him to g back home1 b he didn't want to4 ,! night be=e 0 pay-night1 & he 0 always expect$ to give 9 8 %>e t[>ds ! home exp5ses1 & n[ "h 0 8 money all gone4 ,:at c\ld he d8 ,i took him ar\nd ! room & po9t$ out ! h>d cases !re1 wret*$1 mis]able specim5s ( m51 & ask$ him if he want$ to be l !m1 z he surely w\ld if he w5t on 9 ! c\rse he 0 />t+4 ,he said1 ,inde$ ,i don't6 ,well1 !n1 ,i said1 take my advice & g home4 ,be a man & face ! music4 ,x w mean a scold+ f y\r fa!r1 b take x4 ,tell !m bo? t y w make up ! money z soon z y get "w1 & t y are go+ to be ob$i5t & good f n[ on4 ,at la/ he said he w\ld g if ,i w\ld g ) him1 b ,i c\ldn't t night1 = ,i _h a meet+ to address4 ,i told him ,i w\ld give him a lodg+ = ! night1 & we w\ld g up to ,wa%+ton ,heights ! next day4 ,i put him 9 ab\t z t\gh a lodg+ z ,i c\ld get1 = ,i want$ him to realize ! life he w\ld drift into1 told him to meet me at "o o'clock ! next day1 & said good-night to him4 ,! next day ,i met him2 we _h some?+ to eat1 & ,i ask$ him h[ he _h slept4 ,oh1 he said1 x 0 some?+ awful6 ,i c\ld n sleep any1 !re 0 su* a curs+ & dr9k+ & scrapp+4 ,oh1 ,i wi% ,i 0 home6 ,we w5t up to ,wa%+ton ,heights1 ar\nd #afe? ,/reet1 & f\nd ! place4 ,we got !re ab\t six o'clock4 ,i w5t 9 & knock$ at ! door1 :i* op5$ v quickly4 ,! "m & fa!r came =w>d2 !y _h be5 cry+1 ,i c\ld see t4 ,oh1 has any?+ happ5$ to my boy6 %e cri$1 :5 ,i ask$ if %e _h a son4 ,tell me quick1 = ,god's sake6 ,i told !m t ,eddie 0 all "r1 & ,i call$ to him4 ,he came 91 & l a manly boy1 aft] kiss+ 8 "m1 he turn$ to 8 /epfa!r & said1 ,=give me2 ,i'll be a bett] boy & ,i'll make ev]y?+ all "r :5 ,i get a job4 ,?is is ,mr4 ,ranney1 ! ,b[]y mission>y4 ,i w5t 9 & 0 ask$ to /ay = supp]1 & we _h an e>ne/ talk1 lead+ to ! fa!r giv+ up be]4 ,:at he 0 go+ to dr9k = supp] 0 ?r[n into ! s9k4 ,i see ^! p occasionally1 & !y are do+ well4 ,,! ,,prodigal ,,son ,,on ,,! ,,b[]y ,"h is a picture /ory ( a boy :o left home & took 8 j\rney to ! f> c\ntry4 ,x is a true /ory4 ,away up 9 nor!rn ,new ,york !re is a ri* man ^: family consi/s ( a wife1 two sons & a daught]1 all good *ur* memb]s4 ,x is ( ! y\ng] boy ,i want to speak4 ,he is a little wayw>d1 b good at he>t1 & w\ld d any?+ to help any "o4 ,n[1 !re has lately come back f ,new ,york a "y man :o has />t$ ! dr9k habit4 ,?is man is tell+ all ab\t ,new ,york1 :at a gr& place x is1 &1 if a fell[ _h a little money1 he c\ld make a =tune4 ,he succe$s 9 ar\s+ ! fancies ( ?is "y boy1 & he believes all ! fell[ says4 ,p up ! ,/ate look on a man z sort ( a h]o because he has be5 to ,new ,york4 ,tom ?9ks he w\ld l to g to ! city1 & :5 he gets home he broa*es ! subject to 8 "m4 ,he says1 ,i'll get a job & make a man ( myself4 ,! "m tells him he _h bett] /ay at home & p]haps lat] on he w\ld h a *ance to />t a bus9ess 9 ! village :]e he 0 born4 ,no1 no?+ b ,new ,york w d = him4 ,he teases 8 fa!r & "m ne>ly to dea?1 until 8 fa!r says1 ,well1 my boy1 if y w1 y w4 ,!n he gives him a c\ple hundr$ doll>s & a lett] to a m]*ant :om he kn[s4 ,tom packs 8 valise & is all ready to />t4 ,i c see ! "m putt+ a ,te/am5t into h] boy's h& & tell+ him to read x once a day & be sure to write home (t54 ,oh1 he promises all "r1 & is anxi\s to get away 9 a hurry4 ,i c see !m 9 ! railroad /ation :5 ! "m takes him to h] bosom & kisses him4 ,!re's a dry *ok+ 9 ! fa!r's ?roat :5 he bids him good-by--& !n ! tra9 is (f6 ,n[1 ,tom has a *um 9 ,new ,york1 s at ! fir/ /ation at :i* !y /op he gets (f & s5ds a telegram to 8 fri5d1 say+3 ,ed1 ,i'm com+ on ! #b4cj tra94 ,meet me at ! ,gr& ,c5tral ,/ation4 ,y may be sure ,ed meets him at ! /ation--,ed is n work+--& he gives him ! hello & ! glad h&4 ,he takes ,tom's grip & !y />t = ! hotel4 ,i c see !m go+ into a saloon & hav+ a c\ple ( be]s1 !n go+ to ! hotel1 gett+ a room & supp]1 & hav+ a good "t at ! !atre & else:]e4 ,"t goes on4 ,two hundr$ doesn't la/ long4 ,i c see ,ed %ak+ ,tom :5 ! money is runn+ l[4 ,i c see ,tom c\nt+ ! little he has left & go+ to a furni%$ room at #a4ej a week4 ,tom is beg9n+ to ?9k & worry a bit4 ,he has lo/ ! lett] to ! m]*ant 8 fa!r gave him1 & he doesn't "k :]e to f9d him4 ,no wond] he is d[n 9 ! m\?6 ,he looks = "w1 b c't get any?+ to d4 ,n[1 all he has to d is to write home & tell 8 fa!r ! facts1 & he w s5d back a railroad ticket4 ,b ,tom is pr\d1 & he hasn't rea*$ ! po9t :]e1 l ! prodigal1 he says1 ,i w arise & g to my fa!r4 ,no1 he has n z yet rea*$ ! end ( 8 rope4 ,i c see him pawn+ ! wat* & *a9 giv5 him by 8 p>5ts4 ,?is tides him ov] = a little :ile4 ,:5 t money is gone1 8 ov]coat goes1 &1 9 fact1 ev]y?+ he has is gone4 ,he goes d[n & d[n1 & f9ally rea*es ! ,b[]y1 :]e !y all g 9 ! end4 ,he is d[n & out1 )\t a c5t 9 8 clo!s1 walk+ ! /reets night aft] night---c>ry+ ! bann]4 ,sometimes he slips into a saloon :]e !y h free lun* & picks up a piece ( bread "h & a piece ( *eese !re4 ,sometimes he is lucky to fill 9 on a beef /ew1 b v seldom4 ,n[1 if t isn't liv+ on husks1 ,i don't "k :at y call x6 ,8 clo!s are gett+ fil?y & he is 9 despair4 ,h[ he wi%es he _h nev] left home6 ,he hasn't a fri5d 9 ! big city1 & he doesn't "k :i* way to turn4 ,he says1 ,i'll write home4 ,b no1 he is too pr\d4 ,he wants to g home ! same z he left x4 ,& ! long] he waits ! worse he w be4 ,no "o gr[s any bett]1 ei!r bodily or morally1 by be+ on ! ,b[]y4 ,s ! quick] !y g to "s o!r place ! bett]4 ,b ! ,b[]y draws m5 by its own /range attraction4 ,!y get into ! sw+ ( its life1 & f9d ! company t mis]y loves4 ,god kn[s !re's pl5ty ( x !re6 ,i've se5 m5 t y c\ld n drive f ! ,b[]y4 ,b :5 a man takes ,jesus z 8 guide he wants to se>* = bett] gr\nds4 ,well1 ,tom _h hit ! pace t kills4 ,& "o night--ab\t five ye>s ago--!re w&]$ into ! ,mission :]e ,i 0 lead+ a meet+ a "y man ) pale *eeks & a look ( utt] despair on 8 face1 look+ z ?\gh he hadn't _h a squ>e meal 9 _m a day4 ,x 0 ,tom4 ,i didn't "k him !n4 ,!re are s _m su* cases on ! ,b[]y "o gets us$ to !m4 ,b ,i took p>ticul> notice ( ?is "y man4 ,he sat d[n & li/5$ to ! s]vices1 & :5 ! invitation 0 giv5 to ^? :o want$ to lead bett] lives he put up 8 h&4 ,n[ !re 0 some?+ /rik+ ab\t 8 face1 & ,i took to him4 ,i ?\ght ( my own life & dread$ ! future = him4 ,i spoke to him1 ga9$ 8 confid5ce by degrees1 & he told me 8 /ory z writt5 9 ! prec$+ pages4 ,"h 0 a prodigal j z bad z ! "o 9 ! ,bible /ory4 ,well1 he 0 conv]t$ t night & took ,jesus z 8 help]4 ,he told me all ab\t 8 home1 "m1 & fri5ds :o _h en\gh & to sp>e4 ,! s]vants _h a bett] "t & m to eat ?an he4 ,tom1 ,i said1 :y don't y g home8 ,oh1 ,mr4 ,ranney1 he said1 ,i wi% ,i c\ld1 b ,i want to g back a little bett] ?an ,i am n[4 ,& ,god kn[s he 0 9 bad %ape2 ! clo!s he _h on y c\ldn't sell to a rag-man2 9 fact1 he _h no?+6 ,i piti$ ! poor fell[ f my he>t4 ,i 0 int]e/$4 ,i got 8 fa!r's address & sat d[n & wrote him a lett] tell+ him ab\t 8 son's condition1 etc4 ,9 a few days ,i receiv$ a lett] f 8 fa!r inclos+ a *eck = #aj1 & say+1 ,don't let my son />ve2 d all y c = him1 b don't let him "k 8 fa!r is do+ ?is4 ,c't y see pla9ly ! conditions8 ,our ,fa!r 9 heav5 /&s ready at all times to help1 b we mu/ d some?+--meet ! conditions4 ,tom's fa!r 0 ready to =give & take him back1 b he want$ ,tom to make ! surr5d]4 ,i look$ aft] ,tom to a c]ta9 ext5t1 b ,i want$ him to le>n 8 lesson4 ,!re 7 times :5 he walk$ ! /reets & w5t hungry4 ,i correspond$ ) 8 fa!r & told him h[ 8 son 0 gett+ along4 ,i got ,tom a job wa%+ di%es 9 a re/aurant--! ,b[]y's ma9 employm5t--at #b4ej p] week1 & he /uck4 ,i wat*$ him closely4 ,he w\ld come to ! ,mission ne>ly e night & w\ld /& up & te/ify to ,god's goodness4 ,he 0 com+ on f9ely4 ,_m's ! talk we w\ld h toge!r ab\t home4 ,! te>s w\ld come to 8 eyes & he w\ld say1 ,oh1 if ,i ev] g home ,i'll be su* a diff]5t boy6 ,d y ?9k fa!r w =give me1 ,mr4 ,ranney8 ,well1 eight mon?s w5t on1 & ,i ?\ght x 0 "t to get him (f ! ,b[]y--he _h _h 8 lesson4 ,s ,i wrote 8 fa!r1 & he s5t ! necess>y ca% = clo!s1 railroad ticket1 etc4 ,& "o night ,i said1 ,tom1 w\ld y l to g home8 ,y c imag9e ,tom's answ]6 ,i took him out & b\ght him clo!s1 got back 8 wat* & *a9 f ! pawnbrok]1 & w5t ) him to ! ,gr& ,c5tral ,/ation4 ,i got 8 ticket1 put him on ! tra91 said ,good-by & ,god bless y6 & ,tom 0 b\nd = home4 ,i receive a lett] f him e mon? or s4 ,i h visit$ 8 home & h be5 ent]ta9$ "r royally by 8 fa!r & "m4 ,i visit$ ,tom la/ summ]1 & we did h a gr& "t fi%+1 boat+1 driv+1 etc4 ,i ask$ him1 ,d y want to g back to ,new ,york1 ,tom8 & he smil$ & said1 ,n = m9e6 ,if any "o comes f ,new ,york & happ5s to say x's a gr& place to make y\r =tune1 ,tom says1 ,new ,york is a gr& place to keep away f4 ,y c\ldn't pull him away f home ) a team ( ox54 ,he arose & w5t to 8 fa!r4 ,tom f$ on husks4 ,he le>n$ 8 lesson--n too de>ly le>n$1 because x 0 a la/+ "o4 ,he is n[ a man2 he goes to *ur* & ,sunday-s*ool1 :]e he tea*es a class ( boys4 ,once 9 a :ile he r+s 9 8 own exp]i5ce :5 he 0 a prodigal on ! ,b[]y & f> f ,god1 & ,god's lov+-k9dness to him4 ,!re are o!r boys on ! ,b[]y f j z good families z ,tom's--college m5 "s ( !m--:o are )\t hope & )\t ,god's fri5d%ip or man's4 ,:at c y & ,i d = !m8 ,,la/ ,,words ,i h m>ri$ aga91 & h a good sweet ,*ri/ian z companion1 & we h a little girl j beg9n+ to walk4 ,i'm y\ng]1 happi]1 & a bett] man 9 m9d & body ?an ,i 0 tw5ty ye>s ago4 ,i've a good home & "k t all good ?+s are = ^? t tru/4 ,i rememb] "o night1 :5 ,i 0 go+ home ) my wife1 ,i met a policeman :o _h arre/$ me once4 ,he _h caught me dead to rights--) ! goods4 ,aft] await+ trial ,i got (f on a te*nical po9t4 ,i said1 ,hel51 let me introduce y to ! policeman t arre/$ me "o "t4 ,he _h *ang$ "s2 8 hair 0 gett+ gray4 ,he knew me1 & :5 ,i told him ,i 0 a mission>y1 he said1 ,god bless y1 ,reilly 7t's ! "n ,i w5t "u71 & keep y /raight6 ,y did cause u fell[s a lot ( tr\ble 9 ^? days4 ,inde$ ,i did cause tr\ble6 ,!re wasn't a man "u mu* clos] wat* ?an ,i 0 tw5ty ye>s ago4 ,j "o incid5t w illu/rate ?is & %[ :at a *ange ,god br+s ab\t 9 a man's life :5 he is s\ndly conv]t$4 ,x 0 9 #ahij t a pal ( m9e & ,i 7 told ( a place 9 ,atlantic ,city :]e !re 0 any am\nt ( silv]w>e1 etc41 9 a weal?y man's summ] home1 s we und]took to g !re & see if we c\ld get any ( ! good ?+s t 7 9 ! h\se4 ,we rea*$ ! city ) our kit ( tools1 & my pal w5t & hid !m a little way f ! /ation1 wait+ till night1 z we did n want to c>ry !m ar\nd ) u4 ,tom said1 ,dan1 ,i'm hungry2 ,i'll g & see :at ,i c get 9 a bak]y4 ,we 7 n v flu% & c\ld n af=d any?+ great 9 ! way ( a d9n]4 ,(f he w5t1 & ,i 0 to wait till he came back4 ,i sat d[n 9 ! wait+-room1 :5 a man came up & sat d[n beside me1 giv+ me a good-day4 ,nice wea!r1 said he4 ,i said1 ,yes4 ,said he1 ,h['s little old ,new ,york8 ,all "r1 ,i answ]$4 ,h y got y\r ticket back8 said he4 ,i ?\ght he 0 a little famili>1 & ,i said1 ,x's none ( y\r bus9ess4 ,he 0 z cool z c\ld be4 ,oh1 yes1 he said1 x is my bus9ess1 & turn+ ! lapel ( 8 coat he held a ,p9k]ton badge "u my nose1 at ! same "t say+1 ,! game's call$1 & ,i "k y4 ,:]e's ! tools8 ,i told him ,i did n h any4 ,! only ?+ t saves y1 said he4 ,n[ y get out ( "h :5 t next tra9 goes1 or !re w be a little tr\ble4 ,my pal came 9 at ?is "t1 & ,i w9k$ at him to say no?+4 ,he und]/ood4 ,we took t tra9 all "r1 & lo/ our tools4 ,i nev] saw ,atlantic ,city aga9 until #aijh1 :5 ,i 0 ask$ to speak at ! ,y4 ,m4 ,c4 ,a4 ,i told ?is /ory 9 my talk4 ,i've be5 back f\r times2 ,i've be5 ent]ta9$ at "o ( ! be/ hotels !re1 ! ,*alfonte1 = a week at a "t4 ,:at a *ange6 ,tw5ty ye>s ago1 :5 ,i 0 9 ! ,devil's employ1 run out ( t[n2 n[1 r$eem$ by ,god1 an invit$ gue/ 9 t same place4 ,see :at ,god c d = a man6 ,x's a h>d ?+ to close ?is record ( ! grace ( ,god 9 my life1 = ,i feel z ?\gh ,i 0 leav+ a lot ( fri5ds4 ,if at any "t y are on ! ,b[]y--n d[n & out--& want to see me1 :y1 call at ,no4 #aca1 ! ,squirrel ,inn ,mission & ,read+ ,room1 & y'll f9d a he>ty welcome4