d,
and still love, though I have not seen her for twelve years; a young
woman now in her grandfather's home, she is deprived of the heritage
of a father's good name. Young men, I once had aspirations and
ambitions that soared as high as the morning star, but I clipped their
wings, I strangled them and they died. Call me a tramp, do you? I'm a
preacher without a charge, a lawyer without a brief, a husband without
a wife, a father without a child, a man without a friend. I thank you
for the drinks. Go to your homes and on soft beds may you sleep well;
I'll go out and sleep on yonder bench in the night wind. A few more
drinks, a few more drunkard's dreams, and I'll go out into the
moonless, starless night of a hopeless forever."

Oh! how I would like to help some boy in this audience stand on his
two feet and with clear brain, manly muscle, and moral courage fight
and win the battle of life. How it would rejoice my soul if I could,
with earnest appeal, throw about some mother's boy an armor of
celestial atmosphere against which the arrows of evil would beat in
vain, and fall harmless at his feet.

Hear me, boys; never was there a day when character counted for so
much as now; never a day when a young man, equipped with education and
stability of character, filled with energy and ambition, was in such
demand as he is today; while on the other hand, never was there a day
when a young man with bad habits was in so little demand as now. The
industrial world is closing its doors against young men who are not
sober, industrious and competent. Even a saloon-keeper advertised
thus: "Wanted--A man to tend bar, who does not drink intoxicating
liquors." How would this read: "Wanted--A young man to sell shoes, who
goes bare-footed."

Young women, just here I have a question for you. If the railroad
company does not want the drinking man, if the merchant discriminates
against him, and even the saloon-keeper does not want him for
bar-tender, do you want him for a husband? Can you afford to wrap up
your hopes of happiness in him and to him swear away your young life
and love?

Some young woman may say: "If I taboo the drinking man, I may be an
old maid." Then be an old maid, get some "bloom of youth," paint up
and love yourself. John B. Gough said: "You better be laughed at for
not being married, than never to laugh any more because you are
married."

If I could live life over there are some things I would not do. I
would not sto