, and many's the black eye I got, and also gave a
few. I believe nothing does a boy or girl so much good as lots of play
in the open air. I never had a serious sickness in my life except the
measles, and that was easy, for I was up before the doctor said I ought
to get out of bed. Those were happy days, and little did I think then
that I would become the hard man I turned out to be.

I had a good Christian mother, one who loved her boy and thought there
was nothing too good for him, and I could always jolly her into getting
me anything I wanted. God bless the mothers! How true the saying is, "A
boy's best friend is his mother." My father I won't say so much about.
He was a rough man who loved his cups, and died, as you might say, a
young man through his own waywardness. I did love my mother, and would
give anything now to have her here with me as I am writing this story.
She has gone to heaven, and I was the means of sending her to an early
grave through my wrong-doings. She did not live to see her boy saved.
Many's the time I would promise her to lead a different life, and I
meant it too, but after all I could not give up my evil ways.

THE FIRST TASTE FOR DRINK

I remember when I first acquired the taste for drink. My grandfather
lived with us, and he liked his mixed ale and would send me for a pint
two or three times a day. In those days the beer was weighed so many
pounds to the quart. Every time I went for the beer I used to take a
swallow before I came back, and sometimes two, and after a while I
really began to enjoy it. Do you know, I was laying the foundation right
there and then for being what I turned out to be--a drunkard. I remember
one time--yes, lots of times--that I was under the influence of the vile
stuff when I was not more than ten years of age.

I received a public school education. My school-days were grand good
days. I had all the sport that comes to any boy going to school. I would
rather play ball than go home to dinner. In those days the game was
different from what it is at the present time. I was up in all athletic
sports when I was a boy. I could jump three quick jumps and go
twenty-eight and a half feet; that was considered great for a schoolboy.

There was one game I really did enjoy; the name of it was "How many
miles?" It is played something like this: You choose sides, and it
doesn't matter how many there are on a side. Of course each side would
be eager to get the quickest and fa