Temperance > Autobiography and personal recollections of John B. Gough

94 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP JOHN B. GOUGH.
■what intoxicated,—on my lone and friendless condition.
My frame was much weakened by habitual indulgence in
intoxicating liquors, and little fitted to bear the cold of
winter, which had already begun to come on. But I had
no means of protecting myself against the bitter blast, and,
as I anticipated my coming misery, I staggered along,
houseless, aimless, and all but hopeless.
Some one tapped me on the shoulder. An unusual
thing that to occur to me; for no one now cared to come
in contact with the wretched, shabby looking drunkard.
I was a disgrace,—“ a living, walking disgrace.” I could
■ .scarcely believe my own senses when I turned and met a
kind look; the thing was so unusual, and so entirely un-
{expected, that I questioned the reality of it,—but so it
was. It was the first touch of kindness which I had
known for months-; and, simple and trifling as the cir¬
cumstance may appear to many, it went right to my
heart, and, like the wing of an angel, troubled the waters
in that stagnant pool of affection, and made them once
more reflect a little of the light of human love. The
person who touched my shoulder was an entire stranger.
I looked at him, wondering what his business was with
me. Begarding me very earnestly, and apparently with
much interest, he said:—
“ Mr. Gough, I believe ? ”
“ That is my name,” I replied, and was passing on.
“ You have been drinking to-day,” said the stranger, in
a kind voice, which arrested my attention, and quite dis¬
pelled any anger at what I might otherwise have con¬
sidered an officious interference in my affairs.
“Yes, sir,” I replied, “ I have.”
“Why do you not sign the pledge?” was the next
query.
I considered for a minute or two, and then informed