friend and he hoped to keep them. It takes more than hoping to succeed
in such eases, however.

I would by no means intimate that when a drunkard signs the pledge he
is always lying and does not mean to keep it. On the contrary, I think
the great bulk of those who thus write their names with a trembling
hand, do, at the time of writing, really mean to keep all that they
promise. But as a rule they change their minds when the trial comes,
and "Don't count this time!"

This statement is a sad one, but it is terribly true. There is a
reason for it.

And the chief reason is that these "unfortunates," as they are called,
get into the habit of being carried when they should walk on their own
feet. Your drunkard is always expecting sympathy, and help, and
upholding. He leans down on you; he lies down on you. He pleads
misfortune, disease, or something, and makes himself out a poor, weak
victim of circumstances. He asks for help, and of a kind that most
suits himself. He should not get such.

Help he should have, but of a kind that will make him help himself.
Because, when such a person is merely helped by another he becomes
helpless himself, and the last state of that man is worse than the
first.

It was so with "Dodd" Weaver. The kind offices of Mr. Bright had
really wrought him harm. He had thus been able to get money for some
weeks, and as he lived only for the moment now, this "accommodation"
kept him in his low mode of life.

It is the study of a lifetime how to deal justly with people in his
condition. If you doubt my word, try it. You will be convinced.

"Dodd" did intend to do better after leaving Mr. Bright's. But he went
right down town and took a drink to brace up on. This also is common.

It was two days after this that the young man came once more to appeal
to his benefactor. He was in trouble again, and according to the law I
have just noted he came for relief to the source from which help had
before come. There is no record of how long a man can thus abuse the
kindness of a friend. Sometimes death alone ends the scene.

But Mr. Bright was not a man to be trifled with when once he had taken
in the situation. He heard "Dodd's" story with disgust. The young man
had been drunk again, and in a brawl had struck an antagonist with
brass knuckles. For this offense he said the police were in search of
him, and would probably find him. He asked Mr. Bright to let him have
money to pay his