Modern Prophets and Other Sketches by Pansy ~ Full Audiobook
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New customers get up to $300 in bonus bets. Embrace the chaos all tournament long. Modern Profits and Other Sketches by Pansy and Faye Huntington Modern Profits Chapter 1 The Profits at the Breakfast Table Mr. Mason Cameron poised his solid silver teaspoon with a thoughtful air on the delicate edge of his elegant China coffee cup as he repeated his former statement.

It is an unfortunate piece of business, most unfortunate. What can have become of women's ordinary good sense I cannot imagine. The idea of pouring into the saloons and hotels and even drug stores, taking things by storm in this insane fashion. Women are strange beings, Mrs. Judge Cameron said reflectively as she gracefully broke an egg into her dainty egg-cup.

mrs judge cameron was mason cameron's mother very strange beings she repeated after a little pause

Now, you would suppose that they would naturally shrink from such publicity of movement, parading the streets like an army and invading all sorts of places. Besides, they actually kneel down in the streets at midday and pray. What possible sense can there be in that? Can't they pray at home? Let your women be keepers at home, St. Paul said. And I'm sure I have no inclination to disregard the apostolic injunction.

besides there is even our saviour's command when thou prayest enter into thy closet and shut thy door i wonder what can be plainer advice than that mr mason cameron smiled your logic would prove rather too much mother he said quietly our saviour's command applied to men as well as to women and you would hardly like to do away with all praying except in the closet

Still, as you say, the religious element is the most unfortunate part of this performance. I don't object to women praying, and of course it is proper at certain times and places for them to pray before others. But there should be propriety in all things, and it is a manifest impropriety to invade a man's premises and pray at him against his will. Such a proceeding is calculated to bring religion into disrepute.

"'Of course it is. Mrs. St. James was sneering yesterday about the religionists, as she called them. She asked Fanny if she belonged to the New Lights, and if she expected to borrow your wardrobe when she went to make a raid on her husband's premises.' "'Fanny! I hope she didn't imagine that Fanny belonged to that class of people.'

oh of course that is one of the pleasant features of the crusade the entire church is compromised i have no doubt we shall all be looked upon as a set of insane fanatics from this time forth i am perfectly amazed

i did suppose that this place represented as it is by some of the oldest families in the state and largely comprised of people of culture and position would be the very last to yield to the infatuation of the times what do you suppose is the matter with all the people mason weariness the said mason responded in an oracular tone as he passed his cup for coffee

a desire for something new under the sun, and because certain would-be reformers have started a wild scheme under the guise of religion, it is taken up by a class of people with more energy than brains, and pushed through under the name of a religious movement. I am disappointed in this place myself, that is, I shall be if the matter develops into anything but talk.

I still hope that it will prove a decided failure. If I had been Dr. Cresswell, I wouldn't have given out any notice of that kind. I prophesy that the whole matter will work great mischief in the church, and as for doing any good to the cause of temperance, that is nonsense. None but the lower classes will have anything to do with the movement anyway.

Miss Fanny Cameron had, during this last sentence, settled herself and her white tucked skirt and her cashmere wrapper into the seat at her brother's right, and was ready to join in the conversation. It would be well to make that remark to Eva before many days, she said, a touch of sarcasm in her tone, because she happens to be one of the prominent movers in this affair. Eva!

it would be impossible to give you a clear idea of the unbounded astonishment concentrated in mr cameron's voice who has been telling you such nonsense miss eva lawrence was my informant will you give her the credit of being cognizant of her own movements hardly if her heart has led her judgment in such a strange road as this did she tell you she meant to accompany the women on their uninvited mission

"'Well, not in so many words, but several ladies called and discussed the question while I was with her yesterday, and she seemed entirely in sympathy with them and discussed plans very freely, and I think she means to accompany the Crusaders.' "'I do not.' Mr. Cameron's tone was an emphatic one. His sister laughed.'

I wouldn't presume too much on my authority if I were you, Mason. Eva is not used to being controlled and is not given to changing her plans to suit anybody's notions.

"'What an alarming creature you would represent her to be!' Mason said lightly. "'I am the last person to desire a blind changing of one's plans. But if Eva has been enticed into this thing, it is from a misunderstanding of its bearings. I have no anxiety about her.' "'I wouldn't have. She is entirely capable of taking care of herself, and might do worse things, in my opinion, than to join the woman crusade.'

mrs cameron here took up the conversation one might almost imagine that you intended to join their ranks yourself fanny you are so earnest in their defence

"'That's exactly what I would do if I were eligible to office. Isn't that the word, Mason? It is a praying crusade, you know, mother, and as I don't pray for myself, I am not supposed to be able to do so for rum-sellers. I might help swell the ranks, and I would do it if I were not afraid it would be sailing under false colors.' Mrs. Cameron smiled with a superior air and spoke composedly.

"'How fortunate it is that you seldom mean more than two-thirds of what you say, Fanny. You might frighten one who did not know you very well.'

But I mean more than nine-tenths of this, mother. I half wish I knew how to pray myself. If I did, I should certainly exercise my privilege on this occasion. If there is anything on earth that needs praying at, it is rum selling. If I pretended to do any work of that sort, I should consider this a legitimate opportunity.

pray at rum cellars as much as you choose fanny but i am glad that there is no probability of your doing it in the streets to be seen of men this from mason in haughty tones as far as that is concerned i think i would rather be seen of men while engaged in praying than in many of the other occupations in which ladies indulge and i feel constrained to repeat my caution concerning eva

for these are arguments which will have little weight with her i will take care of eva mr cameron said in annoyed tone of voice and immediately left the table the st james household were also at breakfast the household consisted of mr and mrs st james the appointments of the table were elegant in the extreme and coffee and toast were faultless

yet there was an ominous frown covering the gentleman's face and he rattled his teaspoon fiercely as if it were an enemy his wife's first attempt at conversation was apparently unfortunate do you expect a call this afternoon from the ladies she asked in her most placid tones as she buttered a piece of toast confound the ladies her husband answered in visible disgust

"'They are always doing some miserable, slippery thing. "'If it was a set of men coming to insult us, "'we could kick out the ringleaders and bolt the doors. "'But a lot of women a fellow don't know what to do with. "'It's a mean dodge. "'I am amazed at Dr. Cresswell for countenancing such a thing. "'If he remembered on which side his bread was buttered, "'he wouldn't do it. "'I pay the largest pew rent of any man in the church.'

why the poor man only gave out a notice of a prayer-meeting he couldn't avoid doing as much as that i suppose he could avoid a good many things if he chose great good their praying will do anyway they'll find that they can't pray me into doing what i don't choose to do

they will be sure to call on you among the first that is part of their policy to go to the finest establishments in town if i were you i wouldn't go to the saloon this afternoon at all just give your instructions to the clerks and they can manage this whole matter better than you can i shan't leave the saloon this afternoon

the gentleman said with marked energy i won't sneak whatever else i do i'm in the liquor business and i'm not afraid to own it the establishment is mine by right of lease and the laws of the state authorize my business and if the women think that they can pray and sing it out of my hands they are mistaken in the person

I can stand that performance as long as they can. I shall face the music, but for all that I consider it contemptible impudence. I don't see why you care, so long as you know your business to be a proper one and have your conscience clear in regard to it, you can afford to laugh at the fanaticism and—' Her husband interrupted her.

i don't pretend any such thing and never did it takes some of your church members to do that i think it's a miserable business if there were no drunkards the world would be better off and if there were no liquor sold there would be no drunkards every dunce knows that

all i claim is that so long as rum is sold all the world over i have as good a right to sell it as any one and a company of silly women are not going to frighten me out of it mrs st james elevated her eyebrows considerably i'm sure i didn't think those were your sentiments she said coldly if you have so poor an opinion of your occupation i should think you would change it

should you let me tell you that several other things would have to be changed in that case velvet cloaks and silk dresses and real lace would be scarcer than they are now the long and short of it is that selling rum pays

Before I began to sell it, I couldn't support myself. Now I support an expensive family. And, as I said before, so long as rum will be sold, I may as well have my share of the profits, and I mean to, in spite of psalms and prayers. But I think so meanly of it, for all that, that if the creation would agree to drink no more liquor, I would agree to starve.

"'Rum-selling isn't an agreeable business, and a man is an idiot or a hypocrite who says it is.' Mrs. St. James laughed. "'Upon my word,' she said with a sarcastic curl to every syllable, "'I haven't heard such a tirade against intemperance in a long time. I think you ought to go to the prayer-meeting this afternoon.' Mr. St. James sneered."

the prayer-meeting i have no fears from that source six men will come together and each will make a prayer half an hour long and the most of that will be about the missionaries in bombay if they send missionaries there i don't know whether they do or not and don't care

but I know what that part of it will amount to. If they are in earnest, why didn't they vote the rum all out of existence years ago instead of sneaking into a warm church and praying a few hours while they send the women out in the snow and slush to cry over us miserable sinners? I've less patience with them than I have with the women. There was a lull during which Mr. St. James drank his coffee and tried to grow composed.

his wife played with her toast and presently asked another question what do you imagine all this excitement will amount to just that an excitement some tears and some hymns and some crying prayers women always cry when they pray and some insults probably there are loafers in the liquor business if there are anywhere

and then the whole thing will slip into the background and be forgotten except by some fellow who is writing a book in twenty volumes with which to bore the next generation we'll all figure in that without a doubt well mr st james what do you mean to do if the ladies call on you this afternoon

That question needs several answers. In the first place, they won't call. They know me too well. In the second place, they will not be ladies who go around town on such an entertainment, but some of the would-be ladies—women's rights apostles, latter-day reformers, and the like—who have been in search of a mission or a husband ever since they wore long dresses.

Finally, if they do come, I shall give them a cordial bow all around, and tell them to pray away and have as good a time as they can. The sidewalk is free to all. Only, I'll add, that I hope they won't expect me to pay the doctor's bills, nor furnish the whiskey for sore throats and lungs and the like. And having swallowed his third cup of coffee, Mr. St. James hurried away to his saloon."

Generally there was a very cheery group gathered around Deacon Slocum's table, but on this particular morning the family were quiet and grave. The deacon himself looked unusually sober, even sad, and occasionally he shook his head with a heavy sigh. Mrs. Slocum broke the silence at last. "'Are you going to the meeting this morning, deacon?'

"'Me? Oh, yes, I'll go to the meeting. It is always right to pray. At least it is right to pray in the church. Yes, I'm going. Joseph, you will go too, won't you? And Thomas?' "'Yes, sir,' both the grave-faced, old-looking young men said. "'They meant to go in a little while. Oh, yes, the prayer meeting was right, of course.'

there was a brisk-looking earnest-faced young lady sitting opposite the deacon she spoke to him now and her voice sounded like a breeze from the ocean breaking in on a dull day father i can't see anything wrong about the other part of it deacon slocum shook his head

i hope there isn't child i hope there isn't if my heart is in anything it is in the cause of temperance i long and pray for its welfare but this movement looks like a wild thing to me your mother never heard of such goings-on in her young days nor your grandmother and they were brought up to be temperance women

but father they never heard of a sewing-machine either grandma thinks to this day that it is a wicked invention but i should dreadfully hate to poke all day after a seam that i could do in fifteen minutes on my machine deacon slocum looked graver that is an invention of man sarah there is no comparison between it and the present temperance movement pertmiss sarah shook her head

Now, father, I cannot follow your logic. You think this temperance movement is an invention of man's too, don't you, and must therefore come to naught? Why may not it be good for something as well as the sewing machine? I don't believe myself that man has either of them entirely in his hands. I think God furnished the brains for getting up the machines and the temperance crusade.

"'A more puzzled face than Deacon Slocum's, it would have been hard to find. "'Mrs. Slocum came to the rescue. "'Your father means that there is no connection between sewing machines "'and women going out to pray on the street corners. "'What are you driving at, child?' "'Logic, my dear mother. I'm bewildered with my own ideas.' "'I don't wonder,' Mrs. Slocum said good-humoredly. "'I'm sure they bewilder me.'

well now father suppose we leave sewing-machines out of the question if they don't belong you say mother never saw such doings i know things that she did see and do mother when your pastor came to call didn't grandpa bring out the glasses and the whisky and sugar and make a refreshing drink for him always said mrs slocum promptly

"'Well, father, you see, that was the goings-on then. Would you advocate our following their example?' "'God forbid!' Deacon Slocum said reverently. "'Things do move, you see, father. And how do we know but that this is a step in the right direction? I wish I were one of them.' Still Deacon Slocum shook his head. "'It may be, it may be, child,' he said thoughtfully.'

But I am very faithless. It looks to me like a wild scheme gotten up altogether by men and calculated to do great harm to the cause. I see nothing but failure and ridicule before us. Still, I would not have kept you out. I suppose you were not called on because I felt it my duty to speak my views, but that wasn't right. Everyone must work by his own conscience and not another man's.

I wouldn't have kept you. But, daughter, you can pray for it in your closet. He heareth in secret, you know. We will all pray, and if it be that our judgment is wrong and God honors this seemingly unwise movement, why, no one will rejoice more than I, but I don't see it now. "'Father,' said Sarah, with a tender reverence in her voice,

If all men were like you, the women would have no occasion to pray in other places than their closets.

End of section one.

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At an earlier hour than strict etiquette would allow, Mr. Cameron rang at Senator Lawrence's brownstone mansion. "'Miss Eva,' he said briefly to the servant, and depositing his hat on the marble-tabled rack, went forward with the informality of a privileged guest, and showed himself into the great elegant parlors."

even mr mason cameron whose position was assured as a gentleman of wealth and culture enjoyed the familiarity of his standing with senator lawrence's family

He sauntered towards one of the dainty tables and glanced at the inlaid card receiver while he waited, ran over the latest cards, smiling to himself to notice that while there was one from nearly every gentleman in his set, his own name was not represented. It had been long since he had needed the formality of a calling card to admit him to that establishment.

the door opened presently and miss eva entered a tall pale girl with great earnest eyes that did more than look at one rather they seemed to look quite through you mr cameron turned to greet her familiarly i ought to apologize for my wrapper perhaps she said as he relinquished her hand but if gentlemen will call on me at such early hours they must take the consequences

"'It is certainly becoming,' he said, looking down admiringly on the soft blue folds. "'I wouldn't apologize if I were you. I see Sanderson's card here. Is he honoring you with calls again?' "'He left his card yesterday.' "'And you didn't see him?' "'No, indeed.' Mr. Cameron laughed. "'What a positive little lady it is,' he said carelessly. "'Well, have you a day to give to me?'

when with a bright interested face now there is no time like the present the air is bracing this morning i want you to ride and i had thought that this afternoon would be as good an opportunity as any to fulfil that long-promised engagement with mr and mrs gardner miss lawrence's brow clouded you have chosen an unfortunate day in which to perform both of those delightful deeds she said quickly

i have engagements all day won't to-morrow do unfortunately i have engagements to-morrow i rarely have a day of absolute leisure you know i had planned to spend this with you cannot your other engagements be waived they are of such a nature that postponement is impossible mason have you forgotten the prayer-meeting this morning

Almost I had, he said, smiling, until it was recalled to mind by a ridiculous report to which I gave no credence. You do not propose to attend it? I do, certainly. I supposed that all our people would do so. The request was made by our pastor. But our pastor is not the Pope, my dear Eva, and we are not Roman Catholics."

i heard this morning that you were concerned in this new departure i suppose there is no truth in the rumor i am deeply concerned in it mason i thought every christian was and i supposed you knew my heart was entirely in sympathy with the temperance cause that of course i can sympathize with you there but i consider the temperance cause and woman's rights very far removed i thought you boasted that you had rights enough

a little spot of red glowed on miss lawrence's cheeks and she spoke with increasing earnestness how little you know of us and how wrongly you judge our motives if you suppose that woman's rights so called has anything to do with the step upon which we have decided mr cameron moved restlessly in his chair and at this point interrupted the eager speaker

pardon the interruption eva but let me beg of you not to say we you certainly are not identified with this movement i am mason i have entered into it with all my heart i thought you knew i would

"'You misunderstand me, Eva. Of course your heart is in it. That is, you hope it may not do harm. So do we all, while we feel that we are hoping against hope. But I heard this morning that you were actually going to parade the streets with those ridiculous, or rather insane women, and force insults upon yourself. I denied the report indignantly. It disgusted me to hear your name mentioned in company with theirs.'

do you know who composed the they of whom you speak thus slightingly neither know nor care it is enough for me that the position that they have chosen to force themselves into proves conclusively that they and you have nothing in common the crimson in miss lawrence's face spread and deepened but she spoke quietly

i am sorry you negatived that rumour mason because it is entirely true i am to accompany the ladies on their mission this afternoon it can't be possible mr cameron said with increasing excitement my dear eva what can have become of your usual discernment don't you see what folly it is how can you thus compromise yourself

don't you know that only the very commonest of course and vulgar women will consent to step out of their sphere in this manner there was the slightest perceptible glance of miss lawrence's eyes down the length of the parlours furnished with the very refinement of elegance which might have been to indicate that her surroundings were neither common nor vulgar then she said with a marked emphasis on the first word

"'I am going with these women, Mason.' With a violent effort Mr. Cameron quieted his excitement and spoke in his usual tone of voice. "'I trust not, Eva. The thing has certainly been misrepresented to you. I hope to set it before you in its true light, as a most out-of-place and utterly unfortunate proceeding calculated to do great injury.' "'Why is it?'

the words were quietly uttered and the lady's earnest eyes were levelled full on her guest's face there was something either in the question or the eyes that embarrassed him why because he said and then stopped my dear eva did you ever hear of such a proceeding before i do not know that i ever did just the same proceeding does that make it utterly out of place and unfortunate

"'Well, of course not, necessarily, but—' "'Eva, do you like to force yourself into drinking saloons, low, vile places where you never dreamed of being, and subject yourself to jeers and insults?' "'No, I do not like it at all. Does that prove conclusively that it is a wrong thing to do?' "'It is often a pretty safe guide.' "'Then what hope have you that it will do the least good?'

do you suppose the class of men who get their living by selling rum are going to be influenced by the persuasions or prayers of a few women to give it up we do not know after we have earnestly tried we shall be better able to answer that question her calmness seemed to irritate him

it is utter nonsense he said sharply and i confess i am disappointed in you for not seeing it at once you will not only do injury to the cause of temperance but you will bring disgrace upon the church in what way why is it that simple straightforward questions are sometimes so hard to answer mr cameron was confused miss eva asked a few more questions

is it wrong for women to speak to rum sellers of course not at proper times and places but it is manifestly out of place to invade their places of business and force them to treat you with rudeness you are taking for granted a thing that may not occur we may be treated courteously by every one if we are not it will not be because of any discourtesy on our part we give occasion for rudeness

"'Eva, it actually exasperates me to hear you using that wretched we "'as if you were hopelessly mixed up in this thing, "'that I forget what I want to say to you. "'I am sorry, Mason, but, as I told you, I am identified with it "'and can hardly avoid saying we. "'Let me give you my position in a few words, if I can. "'You will remember that I did not originate the plan of operation.'

i should hope not muttered mr cameron i certainly did not it has been tried as you know in other places at first i was startled indeed i was shocked

i thought it was unfortunate ill-advised injurious to the cause i spoke slightingly of it i said common sense might have shown the people that such a course would be injurious i waited and watched and it presently appeared that god's idea of this matter was different from mine wherever the women went his blessings seemed to follow in a strange and signal manner

while outsiders were looking coldly on, saying, ìThis thing will do harm.î The liquor saloons were being closed by the score. I was overwhelmed with astonishment. I said to myself, ìWhat if God has resolved to honor any earnest, hearty action? What if it is simply inaction that has wearied Him?î ìIt seems so. Certainly He has blessed the simple means put forth in a most remarkable manner.î

when therefore the ladies came to me asking my co-operation in a similar effort here having watched the rise and development of the work in other places having been convinced as i was that this thing is of god how could i give other than hearty consent

mr cameron watched and admired the beautiful girl while she was making this earnest appeal and beginning to understand that her actions were based on principle and not thoughtlessness he tried another style of persuasion

"'Well, Eva, suppose I grant that you and I differ in our views of this subject, and differ in all sincerity. Is there not—I beg your pardon for reminding you of it—but have I not some little claim on your consideration? Ought not my views to have some little weight with you?'

you know they have weight mason and if i had for a moment imagined how you would feel on this subject it would doubtless have made a difference in my decision i thought i truly thought mason that you would be in sympathy with me

"'Then, since you admit this, will you not for my sake give up this strange scheme? I assure you, Eva, it will work only evil. You must believe me. I am out in the world among men, and I know more about them than you possibly can. I know the popular feeling in this village. I believe I am advising you as your father would if he were at home.'

you are my charge in his absence you know will you yield to me mr cameron's tone was very gentle and winning and he bent the full force of his pleading eyes on miss lawrence while he waited for her answer it was very brief mason i have given my promise to stand by this effort

mr cameron sat back in his chair with an impatient movement he was a lawyer by profession and not accustomed to failing in his pleas then give a counter-promise to me he said almost sharply i'm sure it is my right to demand it after all mason what do you fear

she said trying to speak cheerfully if you should chance to be mistaken if god should bless us in this place as he has in other places great good would be done and you and every friend of temperance would rejoice if this thing is not of god it will come to naught a few of us will discover that we were mistaken and will cease our efforts in that direction and everything will be as it was before

"'Not by any means. It were false kindness to allow you to think so. You will have lost the respect of the people of position in this community. Your name will be bandied coarsely from vile mouths that have heretofore not dared to speak it, and it will take you years to regain the position which you will have lost.'

had mr cameron been watching his listener's face while he made this speech it is very probable that he would not have finished it miss lawrence rose from her seat as he ceased speaking her face very pale her voice calm and cold

"'Mr. Cameron, these are strange sentences. I have been listening attentively. As I shall lose the respective people of position in this community, I shall, of course, lose yours, though you must allow me to remind you that my father is a person of some position, and I shall be certain not to lose his.'

as to my name being bandied by vile mouths they cannot hurt my name if i take care not to hurt it myself and i shall make no attempt to regain any position i am responsible to god not man it was clear to mr cameron's brain that the lady had a very good memory and a clear logical mind

he sprang up hastily and spoke eagerly she was very dear to him and she was senator lawrence's daughter my dear eva i beg your pardon you mistake some of my meaning if you persist in this thing as i believe you will not i shall be bitterly disappointed but i shall still believe that you acted from the highest motives now you will hear plain words from me i am sure

let me beg you simply for my sake to reconsider your promise tell the people that you have changed in your ideas of certain things ask them to excuse you i beg this of you eva as a favor mr cameron shall i tell the people that i am engaged to be married to you and that you object to my taking any stand on this question

"'Eva, my dear, you are surely jesting now. That would be a very strange and unnecessary proceeding. I do not assume any authority over you. I only petition. I cannot endure to have you with this company. But I plead with you, I do not for an instant attempt to command.'

he was surely a fine lawyer to have commanded would have closed the debate at once but to plead was assailing her at a tender point she stood still regarding him thoughtfully presently she spoke in a very gentle tone

Mason, I did not mean to hurt you so. I cannot understand your feeling, but I will do this. Between now and the hour for joining the ladies this afternoon, I will make it a matter of earnest, heart-searching prayer. If I find one shadow of doubt lurking in my mind as to my duty in the thing, I will give you the benefit of it, and withdraw from my position. I will try to be very candid, very unprejudiced."

i think i can be because it was a heavy cross for me to decide to go and it is very hard for me to act in any way contrary to your wishes so even though i have promised i can look carefully on the other side but if after earnest searching i am still convinced sure that this is my duty to go forward surely you would not have me do otherwise

i suppose i must be content with that he said trying to speak lightly i had hoped for your promise but i suppose i must be content i am content i feel sure your good sense will gain the ascendancy after careful reflection well what a long conversation we have had my dear eva you will surely ride with me this morning

miss lawrence's face was grave and her tones very sad as she said mason i don't understand you how can i ride with you and at the same time keep the promise that i have just made you besides i have promised to be at the prayer-meeting this morning

Mr. Cameron thought it wise to laugh. "'I am constantly running against promises,' he said lightly. "'How unfortunate I am! I will depart at once before I commit any more blunders, especially since you have your toilet to make. Or are you going in your wrapper? It is exceedingly becoming.'

Don't imagine I have said anything unkind, dear Eva. It was far from my intention to do so, though in my anxiety I fear I seemed excited. Remember, I have full confidence in you. I know you will not disappoint me. Good morning. End of section 2

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CHAPTER III. LO, I AM WITH YOU. From all of the foregoing you have doubtless discovered that the aristocratic town of Belleville, wherein resided Mr. Cameron, Senator Lawrence, and several other people—

had determined on a crusade against liquor selling similar in kind to that which has been carried out with so good effect in many places during the last few months

in accordance with this intention very earnest prayer-meetings had been held during the previous two weeks of which the unsympathetic portion of the community had taken little notice until dr crosswell had on the sabbath announced from the pulpit the intention of the ladies to move in force and had appointed a general prayer-meeting at the church on the morning of tuesday the appointed day

while in the afternoon the gentlemen were to continue in prayer during the time that the ladies were out on their mission fifteen minutes after the morning prayer-meeting had been opened miss lawrence her wrapper exchanged for a street suit of rich heavy black came into the church and paused astonished over the rows and rows of well-filled seats

this certainly looked as though very few of the church members were taking rides this morning perhaps mr cameron was mistaken possibly the church was more in sympathy with this movement than he supposed and yet thought miss lawrence with a sinking heart people who do not approve of the lady's effort this afternoon cannot surely disapprove of the prayer-meeting

it did not occur to her troubled heart to wonder why mr mason cameron did not approve of the prayer-meeting she went forward to her accustomed seat and bowed her head and those who noticed her at all noticed that the few times that her head was raised during that solemn meeting her cheeks were wet and her eyes were heavy with tears

notwithstanding his courteous good-morning mr cameron left the lady of his choice in no very amiable mood he was surprised and disappointed at the result of his call miss eva had shown a tendency to have a mind of her own that was new and bewildering to him mr cameron had held very few conversations on this new phase of the temperance question

as is natural with men of his stamp he inclined to the belief that his own strong views on the subject were the same as those adopted by sensible people generally and the few with whom he had conversed happening to be of like opinion strengthened his belief in himself

He had made no inquiries as to what class of people were interested in the temperance movement, but putting his ideas and those of a few others together had jumped at conclusions. Following his ordinary custom, he straightway set to work to argue things right between Miss Lawrence and himself. It was very natural, he said, that she should have mistaken views. Her father was absent from home, and she had no one to consult with.

He had done wrong in not having had this plain talk with her before she committed herself. It would have been pleasanter to have declined than to have withdrawn after a promise had been given. However, it was not too late. She would think this thing all over quietly as she had promised him, and he was not in the least afraid of her going contrary to his expressed wishes. She had admitted that his claim to consideration ought not to be overlooked.

he had no fears for her by dinner-time he had convinced himself so entirely that he was once more quite at his ease where is fanny he asked suddenly arousing to the fact that she was not in her accustomed seat at the table mrs cameron smiled

Fanny has gone to the prayer meeting. She said she wanted to see how people prayed when they were really in earnest and had something to pray about. There is no accounting for her movements. Mr. Cameron returned his mother's smile. On the whole, he was very glad that Fanny was at prayer meeting, for he had no desire to be questioned as to the nature of his interview with Miss Lawrence.

On his way downtown, he passed Mr. St. James's elegant saloon. That is hardly proper either.'

Mr. St. James was a gentleman of comparative leisure. He had married into one of the first families. He ranked among those who belonged to the best society. The gold-lettered sign over the saloon doors bore the quiet name, Seward Parlors, and Mr. Seward conducted and controlled the business side to a large extent.

Mr. St. James rarely spent an hour a day in the establishment, and it had not suited his taste to blazon his own aristocratic name on the sign. Yet everyone knew that Mr. St. James was the sole owner and controller of Seward Parlors, was in fact the proprietor of Mr. Seward himself. Contrary to people's expectation, on this particular afternoon Mr. St. James stood in the door of the saloon.

"'How are you?' he said to Mr. Cameron. He was even on familiar speaking terms with that gentleman. "'What are you doing on the street? You ought to be at the church praying for me. I am glad you feel the need of prayers,' Mr. Cameron said, speaking lightly. "'It is a very proper thing to feel. But, St. James, I hope you don't identify Packard Place Church with the women's rights uprising that I hear of?'

"'I'm sure I did. Isn't that the church? The prayer meeting is there.' "'Oh, of course no church can object to a prayer meeting. We have had many meetings there to pray for the cause of temperance, too. I think it a more fitting place to hold such a meeting than your parlors are, for instance. And I assure you the people who are the standard supporters of Packard Place Church are decidedly of that opinion.'

"'I am really glad to hear that the people of our church have not turned idiots or lunatics. It certainly looked very much like that.' Mr. Cameron smiled. "'I do not wonder that you thought so,' he said cordially. "'Of course you know that I do not agree with you on the temperance question, but there is reason in all things, or should be. I am on my way to call on Mr. Goldwyn. Will you go down?'

"'I don't know,' Mr. St. James said hesitatingly. "'I did say that I wouldn't leave my establishment this afternoon. I hate shirking. Mr. Seward is not responsible for these rooms, and I don't want to pretend that he is, so if the ladies call on me, I want to give them a personal reception.' Mr. Cameron smiled a superior smile."

"'They will hardly honor you, I fancy,' he said in a tone of quiet assurance. "'The fact is, the whole matter will be quietly dropped, I think. I have been studying the matter somewhat, and I feel quite certain that Dr. Crosswell announced the general prayer meeting for the purpose of suppressing improper demonstrations. If I had thought of that in time, I should have attended. I think you may safely leave your premises.'

very soon thereafter the two sauntered up town in the direction of mr goldwyn's hotel about the same time many wondering people heard the solemn toll of the packard place bell those who were sufficiently interested to be in the church knew that it was the signal for the procession to move which immediately it did walking quietly down chestnut street two by two

"'I'm going to count them,' Mrs. St. James said to her friend, Mrs. Brewer, behind the ladder's window blind.'

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12. I didn't think they would get so many. 14, 16, 18, 20. Did you ever see the like? 22, 4, 6, 8, 30. They are turning up Beckman Street. 32, 4, 6, 8, 40. For pity's sake, how many are there? I hope your husband is in his rooms, if they have any notion of going there.

This Mrs. Brewer said as the counting went on. "'I hope so, too. Sixty, sixty-two, four, six, eight, seventy. There's Mrs. Judge Wharton. Did you ever see anything like it? And Mrs. Senderling. Ninety-six, ninety-eight. Mrs. Brewer, there's a hundred of them. Well, I never heard the like of that.'

and such people chimed in mrs brewer the very first in town i am perfectly overwhelmed sauntering leisurely up the street arm in arm came mr cameron and mr st james returning from their call mr goldwyn proved to be absent he was at the packard place prayer-meeting the waiter told them curiosity took him

Mr. Cameron said, ìThat is one of the unfortunate elements of this movement. It is calculated to bring religion into disrepute. If Mr. Cameron had made notes of his various remarks on this movement and read them over at his leisure, I hope he would have been able to see how logically they all agreed.î

"'Turning the corner of Beekman Street, they came to a dead halt. "'They were directly opposite the sewered parlors, "'and the said parlors were literally thronged with ladies, "'ladies with heads reverently bowed. "'Someone was evidently praying. "'There they are, as sure as I'm a sinner!' exclaimed Mr. St. James excitedly. "'Cameron, come across and see the fun!'

an overwhelming desire to see who those ladies were impelled mr cameron to follow his friend's headlong dash across the street into the saloon on the doorstep he paused riveted to the spot

There was a clear, round voice offering prayer, and that voice was the sweetest one to him that this world possessed. Miss Eva Lawrence, daughter of Senator Roscoe Lawrence, granddaughter of old General Warren Lawrence, whose name was honored by a nation, actually kneeling on the marble floor of a liquor saloon and praying. But what a simple, earnest, tender prayer it was!

low-voiced with a pleading note in the earnest words with such a sense about it of the shutting out of mortal sights and sounds and of holding real living intimate communion with christ himself that none who listened could doubt his very presence in their midst instinctively mr st james lifted his hat and inclined his head

he was a respecter of the religion of jesus christ and he felt that this was a vital exhibition of it as for mr cameron's feelings who shall define them

At the very threshold of Miss Lawrence's low-breathed amen, Mrs. Judge Wharton took up the petition. How strange was the scene! How utterly solemn! The clerks stood around with entirely grave faces. Bland, smooth-spoken Mr. Seward retired into the doorway of the inner parlor and shaded his face with his hand. And still Mr. Cameron stood riveted to the spot.

He felt as if he would have given thousands to have been away, and yet as if thousands of dollars would not have been an inducement for him to move.

"'Mr. St. James had elbowed his way into the room "'and stood courteously awaiting the end. "'As Mrs. Wharton closed her brief, earnest prayer, "'that voice of marvelous sweetness began to sing a tender, pleading hymn, "'not addressed to Mr. St. James or to any man, "'a simple, solemn prayer to God for his presence and his blessing.'

the strain was taken up by at least fifty voices and it was as if another prayer had been offered by fifty voices at once in unity of spirit not only but of words then the voice of prayer was heard again at its close miss lawrence came forward with quiet grace and held out her hand to the owner of the parlors

mr st james you were not in when we made our request to mr stewart we thank you for giving us a patient hearing may i further ask you to give us your name to this paper mr st james reached out his hand mechanically what is the paper

it is a pledge against the selling or being responsible for the sale of intoxicating liquor in any form we presented it to mr seward but he told us the proprietor was absent

the faces of the clerks were wreathed in smiles mr seward came out from his retirement to enjoy the proceeding the idea of presenting mr st james with a total abstinence pledge hoping to secure his signature seemed too good a joke to be true

Mr. Cameron, meanwhile, was out of his sphere. He was neither a clerk nor a proprietor nor a lady. Still he lingered. To leave Miss Lawrence there, among those clerks and those women, was utterly intolerable to him. He felt almost equally exasperated with her and with St. James. Yet he felt if the latter should address a sentence to her that had the semblance of ridicule about it, he

he would unhesitatingly knock him down, and Mr. St. James stood studying that paper while the profoundest silence reigned in the room. Just in what spirit he would present his refusal it was impossible to determine, for while he was generally very courteous to the ladies, he was also a very passionate man, and there was certainly no smile on his face.

Presently he turned, and without speaking a word, went to his desk at the end of the room, where were writing materials scattered profusely, and those nearest him saw him take his heavy gold pen and write with firm, dashing hand, on the line designated for the signer's name, Henry V. St. James. Then immediately handing the paper to Miss Lawrence, he said quietly,

"'There is my signature. I think that was what you wanted. Now, in what other way can I best serve you?' "'Thank you, thank you,' Miss Lawrence said with radiant face, while Mr. Seward, looking utterly puzzled, pressed his way to Mr. St. James's side. "'Are you sure you know what you are about?' he asked, with the familiarity of one accustomed to being consulted. His answer was prompt and decisive.'

"'Very sure. I am not given to acting in the dark. I have just signed a pledge never to sell another drop of intoxicating liquor, and I mean to keep it. Mr. Seward, I have thought of a way in which we can further serve this cause. Miss Lawrence, would you and your party enjoy seeing my liquor casks emptied into the gutter?' "'Would they not?' There were many and eager answers.'

then i can gratify you very promptly john charles alfred you may set to work and roll them out the ladies will gladly make room for the evil spirit to pass out mr seward you and i will lend a helping hand if you please

Very promptly the astonished young men took hold of the work. They were accustomed to obeying orders. In less than twenty minutes from the time that the order was given, Mr. St. James announced triumphantly that the last drop of rum that should ever go out of that store while he owned it was about to be consigned to the gutter.

"'Thank God!' said Mrs. Dr. Wheeler with trembling lips. Dr. Wheeler rarely drank brandy, but when he did, he bought it at the Seward parlors. There was a triumphal procession that marched away from those parlors. What a document to carry with them to the smaller, less pretentious Arbor Saloon around the corner! That beautiful paper with its very fine handwriting, Henry V. St. James!'

After all was over, Mr. Seward was dignified.

"'I am sure, Mr. St. James,' he said with injured face, "'I am sure I know no reason why I should not have been told of your plans. In declining to sign their pledge, I acted on my instructions in good faith. I supposed they were genuine. I am sure it is nothing to me. My business is simply to obey your orders, and I cannot see any reason why I should not have been informed as to what was to be done.'

"'There was only one reason,' Mr. St. James answered with grave face, "'which was that when I talked to you two hours ago, "'I no more intended to do this thing than I intended to fly. "'I should have thought flying much more probable than what I have done. "'I had my plan of operation all ready, exactly as I gave it to you. "'I meant to do just exactly what I said.' "'Mr. Seward looked very much mystified.'

"'Then how in the name of common sense came you to do something so totally different? "'Or is there something behind the scenes that I do not see?'

Now you have asked me a question that is very difficult to answer. There is something behind the scenes that I do not see. I know no more how I came to do what I did than you do. Except this, a power got possession of me that I never acknowledged before. I tell you, Seward, God himself is in the thing. I felt and feel as though nothing under heaven would ever tempt me to sell another drop of rum.'

I'm glad I'm free, and I believe it is the Lord and nobody else who has freed me. There will be more of it done in this town before night. You will see, there will be no resisting it. I have always believed in a God who had power to do whatever he would, and even an idiot knows that he must be on the side of temperance. When you come right squarely down to it, who would want to own a God that wasn't?

my conclusion is that whenever he finds people in right thorough earnest so much in earnest that they are willing to do disagreeable and unpopular things unpopular things are harder to do than even to give money but when people get screwed up to those two points willing to work on the unpopular side and to give money as much of it as is needed

then the lord just takes men like me and twists em round like whip lashes have the parlors put in perfect order mr seward tomorrow we will make out a list of new articles and advertise them our establishment is to be first class hereafter as heretofore i'm going home now to make my peace with my wife what will she say to this afternoon's work mr seward asked significantly

"'Mr. St. James took out his handkerchief and wiped the perspiration from his face. "'The fact is,' he said, "'she wasn't here this afternoon, and she won't be able to understand it. "'If she had been, I think she would. "'Do you wonder at it, Seward? "'Could you have done any different in my place?' "'I don't know,' Mr. Seward said doubtfully.'

But I know he both could and would. The Lord had not chosen to come so close to him as he had to Mr. St. James. End of section three. You may get a little excited when you shop at Burlington.

I'm saving so much! Burlington saves you up to 60% off other retailers' prices every day. Will it be the low prices or the great brands? You'll love the deals. You'll love Burlington. I told you so. Section 4 of Modern Profits and Other Sketches by Pansy and Faye Huntington. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Modern Profits Chapter 4 The Profits at the Supper Table

mr cameron was turning the corner of chestnut street on his way home to supper at the foot of chestnut street was the spring street depot the five o'clock express was puffing and snorting it had just arrived it brought with it an important personage

Mr. Cameron came face to face with Senator Lawrence. A powerfully built, massive-looking man was Senator Lawrence, massive in frame and in brain, his iron-gray hair was brushed back from a full, wide forehead, and his deep-set, keen gray eyes seemed to pierce through to the center of things without waste of time.

"'Aha!' he said, giving Mason's hand a hearty grasp. "'You're the very person. Turn around and walk home with me, can't you? I want further information. We have fallen upon strange times, I hear.' "'Very strange,' Mr. Cameron said with energy. "'I wish you had arrived earlier, sir.'

"'I wish I had, most heartily. I got away as soon as possible after receiving Eva's letter, but it seems I am behind time. I felt that she needed my presence. Well, tell me all about it. It must have been an overwhelming sight. I hear that my daughter led the procession. That is something to be proud of. I am glad you were here to counsel with and sustain her.'

poor mr cameron the world was surely growing daft as the scotchmen say the fact is he began coughing and clearing his throat the truth is i-i was a little doubtful as to the result of the movement

"'Were you? You needn't have been. When the Lord supplies the requisite amount of courage and self-abnegation in women of my daughter Eva's stamp to undertake such a work as this, it is pretty clear what he means to do with it. Still, I don't wonder you were anxious. I was myself. I spent half the night on my knees. I thought of you and Eva and wondered if you were praying together over this very thing.'

business called me out of town yesterday returned mr cameron i hadn't an idea until this morning that eva was engaged in this matter and i-i discouraged her from accompanying the ladies did you indeed on what grounds

"'Well, on several grounds. In the first place, it wasn't particularly pleasant to think of her visiting saloons and groceries and rum-holes generally. How could I tell what sort of reception might be given them? He shall give his angels charge over them,' quoted Senator Lawrence. "'Still, I don't deny that I should have been five minutes ahead of the procession at every stopping place.'

then there was another point to be considered it seemed to me that the cause of religion might be injured unintentionally made a subject of ridicule you know the keen grey eyes shot a lightning glance at mr cameron then the senator said in his driest tones i met a german freethinker an infidel and a mormonite rum-seller on the cars to-day and they every one expressed that same idea

"'Well, I'm doubly sorry that I wasn't at home, if such was your state of mind. But Eva did well without either of us, it seems. You are not going up to the house, I conclude? Good evening, then.' Mr. Cameron turned and retraced his steps. That was certainly a very cool way of dismissing him. How had Senator Lawrence discovered that he was not going up to the house?'

"'Mrs. St. James was already seated at the supper-table when her husband entered. "'How late you are!' she said eagerly. "'Did they come near you, Henry? I was in Mrs. Brewer's, and I saw them go by a hundred strong. "'I counted them, and evil Lawrence at their head. I wonder what Mason Cameron thinks of that?'

he thinks he is a ninny i hope i think so anyway mr st james said seating himself and taking strong draughts at his cup of tea

"'Did you see anything of them, Henry? They turned down Beekman Street. I came directly home. I was afraid to go anywhere for fear I should meet them. I was afraid there might be a riot or something. Where did they go and what has been done? I haven't heard a word. There hasn't been a soul in, and I have felt as if I should fly away.'

they came to our place the very first her husband said speaking rapidly and as a result every drop of liquor we had was poured into the gutter in less than half an hour after their arrival mr st james fact cornelia put there by my express orders and i signed a pledge never to sell another drop of rum and i mean to stick to it through thick and thin

evidently mr st james expected some of the thick of it at once he had on a very composed very determined face his wife set down her cup and looked full into his steady brown eyes and this was what she said

Henry, I'm glad of it. I am, as sure as the world. I would rather not have so much money and be more respectable. Liquor selling isn't respectable business. I've been thinking so a good while, but it made me provoked to hear anyone else say so because you were engaged in it, and I thought you would never give it up.

How in the world came you to do it? And there's our little Harry. I never meant he should step his foot inside of that saloon if I could help it, and I didn't see how to help it either. And now I needn't bother about that anymore. If Mr. St. James had been a Christian man, he would have said, Thank God for this surprise.

as it was he whistled but in his heart he said just as surely as there is a god and i always knew there was more fool i for acting as if there wasn't he is at the bottom of this whole matter and he manages it up here at home as well as down in the saloon

There's been a large business done in the temperance line this afternoon, he said aloud. Arbor Saloon is closed, and Smith's Drugstore is to sell no more liquor except for medicine, and Thompson's establishment is considering the matter. It's going to sweep through the whole town, I believe. I prophesy there won't be a rum hole left by next week this time.

"'Henry, how do they accomplish it? Don't you know you prophesied this morning that they wouldn't pray you out of the business, and it would do them no good to try?' "'I was a false prophet, you see,' he said, laughing. Then, speaking gravely, "'I don't know, Cornelia. I don't pretend to understand it. There is a power greater than any that you and I know anything about, and it's my opinion that it has been at work in this town.'

"'Will you have some of the beans, father?' Mrs. Slocum said to the deacon as the family surrounded their supper table. "'I'll have some of everything,' spoke up the deacon loudly. "'If I had a fatted calf, I'd kill it. For if we ever wanted to eat, drink, and be merry, it is to-night. What hath God wrought?'

now father said miss sarah what do you think of sewing-machines and new things generally seems to me your ideas have undergone a revolution

Dear old Deacon Slocum shook from head to foot with laughter. "'They have so,' he said heartily. "'I'm ready to take back everything I said. It's clear to me that I ain't a prophet. I'll not try it any more unless I prophesy the millennium. I don't know but that's coming. We've got a piece of it anyhow. Four liquor places stopped, and more to be stopped, I believe in my heart.'

there i'm prophesying again well well the lord reigns nobody could have looked on and not believed it i wish i had been in it the daughter said energetically i feel like a shirk i might have gone and offered myself to join them i guess they would have been very willing to have had my company

the truth is father i had such confidence in your ability as a prophet that i sort of shrank from getting on the disgraced side it's good enough for me if i had had moral courage enough to endure failure i would have been among them if you had had faith enough to expect success i guess you mean her brother joseph said

i think our mistake lay in supposing that god wouldn't take notice of anything that didn't meet with our approval them that honor me i will honor quoted deacon slocum reverently that is it children that is the secret i verily believe they trusted him and he honored their trust

Miss Fanny Cameron had finished her supper and sat back in her chair playing with her napkin ring while she expressed her views of the afternoon's work.

it was a splendid thing it gives one faith in people to see that they are willing to work for an end as well as to talk about it and sigh over it you gentlemen have sighed over the evils of intemperance so many years that if sighing could have done it the world would have been reformed i'm glad some people have sprung up who are willing to do as well as to wish mason what do you think of eva lawrence now

you put a very strong emphasis on the now i know no reason why i should have very materially changed my opinion of her recently this mr cameron said with what composure he could assume for the occasion don't you you expressed so much dismay over the ridiculous report that i circulated this morning about her joining the procession that i thought your spirits must have undergone a change of some sort

"'People have a right to change their minds, have they not, Fanny? I did not know so much about this matter in the morning as I do now.' Miss Fanny laughed. "'I don't doubt that in the least,' she said. "'I'm inclined to think that nobody else did. I know several people besides yourself who have been astonished.' "'I didn't express astonishment, Fanny.'

your face did this afternoon when you stood at the door of the seward parlors i was next door standing on the steps and it was as good as a tableau i was disappointed too happily so i just expected eva lawrence would desert them at the eleventh hour i knew she was a grand good girl but i didn't think she was equal to braving your opposition as well as other people's

My dear sister, you take a very great deal for granted. What do you mean by opposition? Oh, I don't mean you told her she shouldn't go or did any other discourteous thing. I know you are a gentleman, Mason, but you could hardly have gone directly from the prophetic conversation at the breakfast table and given her a Godspeed on her errand.'

things certainly took a strange turn mrs cameron said nobody could be expected to be prepared for such results as we have had this afternoon and i'm sure it becomes every one of us to be humble and grateful miss fanny had the last word especially mother since eva lawrence and mrs judge wharton led the procession

mr cameron was a gentleman every inch of him it was not more than seven o'clock when he rang sharply at senator lawrence's door and on being admitted to the back parlor where sat senator lawrence with his wife and daughter he went straight over to eva and held out his hand and his voice was earnest and manly

Forgive me, Eva. You were right and I was wrong. The Lord was in the thing and I knew it not. But truth compels me to add that there was another phase of the matter that he had not known, which was that Senator Roscoe Lawrence was in this thing. End of section 4

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section v of modern prophets and other sketches by pansy and faye huntington this librivox recording is in the public domain woman's influence how not to do it is often a quicker method of arriving at a truth than to discuss a question affirmatively

This seems to be the case in the following question, that is, how can woman's influence be rendered powerful, as it should be, against intemperance and kindred evils? The question takes for granted the fact that woman's influence is not powerful in these directions at the present day. Over this thought, I halted in some dismay.

is it possible that woman the greatest sufferer from intemperance the victim of the cigar-smoking tobacco-spitting multitude who throng the earth does not use all the influence which she can bring to bear against these questions i thought of the matter for days i watched the women of my acquaintance the women with whom i came in contact

I went back over my past. I asked questions concerning the past of my friends. I listened and read and wrote about it. I came slowly and mournfully to the conclusion that woman, in the abstract, uses her powerful influence not for but against temperance, not directly and squarely, but in that more subtle, more unnoticed, oftentimes more dangerous way.

how why during the holidays not long past there has been a great army of mince-pies eaten eaten by the fathers and husbands sons and brothers of our land manufactured by the wives and mothers and sisters now i shudder to think of the brandy that these husbands and fathers have been consuming fed by the hands of women

I consider that much ado about nothing,' Mrs. John Smith says to me when I expostulate with her on the subject. "'Now I am a temperance woman as much as anybody is. I don't drink liquor. I never have it in my house except for medicine and such things. But mince pies are not fit to eat without brandy in them.' "'But, Mrs. Smith,' I say in kindness and earnestness,'

even if that is your solemn conclusion are mince pies among the necessaries of life especially if they cultivate a dangerous appetite but mrs john smith has her favorite national and in a sense unanswerable argument that is fiddlesticks is it fiddlesticks dear american women is there such a thing as a trifle in connection with this awful giant stalking through our country

Can we talk and pray entire abstinence, avoiding, turning from, passing by, looking not upon, and yet pour our complacent spoonfuls into our mincemeat? Will the husband, struggling to break away from the fiend who has his chains about him, be helped by getting a whiff of his fiery breath, even in the delightful piece of pie on his plate?

will the father who is meeting temptation on every side bar-rooms restaurants groceries and many unfortunate dangerous friends who has as yet struggled bravely against the tide be helped in the battle by the subtle taste of what is by nature delicious to him coming to meet him in the neat and innocent-looking dishes prepared at home

Will the manly little son, who watches his mother's movements with about the same faith that he would accord to an angel, be able to understand your teaching about touching not, tasting not, handling not, when he watches you seasoning the pie and flavoring the sauce with that which people should not touch? Isn't he sharp enough even now to be puzzled over the difference between theory and practice?'

there is a great company of dishes that may be classed in the same rank with brandy mince pies one who has never penetrated into the mysteries of the culinary department would be astonished at their number wine sauces for every imaginable kind of pudding wine custards brandied peaches wine jellies to say nothing of that long list of more outspoken mischiefs under the general name of home-made wines

the more i think of this subject the more sure i am that one emphatic answer to the important question asked at the commencement of this paper should be let them frown upon the wily serpent's entrance into their kitchen or pantry in every or any of the witching enticing forms which he knows so well how to assume

this in the face of the fact which i frankly admit that wine sauces and wine jellies and wine custards are absolutely delightful what of that in the name of common humanity let us take this thought into consideration are stomachs to be considered first and souls next

for that class of people who are so ignorant or so indifferent as to insist that the use of liquor in cookery does not foster appetites already awakened nor educate appetites not yet roused it does not seem to me that argument is worth while there is a temperance meeting held weekly in a town i know of and that meeting it is not the fashion to attend

There are those who call themselves temperance people who are never seen among the few who are struggling against the many. The reasons given are most extraordinary. There is nothing new to be said about temperance. The speakers are not interesting. Many of them are uneducated men. Some of them actually use bad grammar.

It is women who make these excuses, women who have husbands and sons, young women who have brothers and lovers. Of course, the sons and brothers and lovers do not attend the meetings and never will, so long as the ladies do their crocheting and canvas work at home and laugh good-naturedly over those stupid meetings.

When our women, who are so-called temperance women, awaken to sufficient interest to put their shoulders to the dragging wheels of any and every temperance movement, interesting or dull, so long as it is not absolutely wrong, then will women's influence have taken a great bound in the right direction.

for the sake of the cause i wished that it might become fashionable to sign the total abstinence pledge i went among a company of ladies one evening at a temperance meeting to solicit their names for the pledge i secured two names and eleven refusals the reasons for the latter were astounding a mother of three sons always used brandy for peaches and always should

her sons would not sign our pledge a young lady did not like to have her name in such conspicuous places another did not believe in making such solemn promises so at least she said but that could not have been the reason for she was married two weeks afterwards and her promises on that occasion were very solemn another thought it was silly to be signing pledges

She had a brother who did not think it was silly to lie in the gutter of an evening.

after that evening's experience, and indeed many similar experiences, I want to answer the query as regards woman's influence in this matter with more earnestness, such an earnestness as shall lead them to be instant in season and out of season, as shall make them willing to be conspicuous or self-denying or silly,

anything so that they may by all means save some new year's day for eighteen seventy four will have passed before this paper meets the eye of any reader i would it were not so i would i might be able to lift up my voice before that time warningly beseechingly surely in this all womankind can see how their influence can be rendered powerful

dear young ladies of america make it impossible for any young gentleman who comes to wish you happy new year to receive a sting from your hand in the shape of a wine-glass at the last it stingeth like an adder do not cover its fangs with velvet and hide them with sparkling eyes and more sparkling speech

Rise up in your strength, young ladies of our free country, and break the chain of fashion that has held you in bondage to this cruel custom. God only knows the evils that have been wrought by it. God only knows how many drunkards' graves have been filled by those who began their career on New Year's Day.

Woman's influence. I wonder if there is another thing on earth in which Satan has succeeded in so bewildering the brains of woman and turning her influence into a wrong channel. I've been shopping during the last few weeks, Christmas hunting, dodging into stores and shops and warehouses. I have met nearly everybody intent on similar errands.

among others are young ladies fair beautiful cultured girls professors of religion in one store was my friend mary selecting a cigar case for her brother fred do you like to have fred smoke i ventured mary laughed why i don't know that i care particularly smoking is nicer than a good many things he might do and i must say i rather like the smell of a good cigar

kate got him an elegant smoking cap and this is the only thing i can think of next door i met my particular friend helen looking at liquor cases not for arthur i said in dismay why not she answered deprecatingly one must get something and it is so difficult to find presents for gentlemen but helen you surely don't want to encourage that habit in arthur

Oh, I don't encourage it. He knows just what I think of it. But so long as he drinks occasionally, he might as well have a case to keep his liquors in. He won't use them any more on that account. They are convenient, too, in time of sickness. And Arthur never drinks to excess, you know. I am not afraid of his becoming a drunkard."

that is it after all perhaps if i needed to make a very brief answer to the question how can women's influence be rendered powerful in this matter i would say by cultivating the grace of fear in all women kind if they were only so afraid of the awful curse so afraid that they would not run the possibility of a risk of bringing the danger into their homes in any form

so afraid that in their food in their gifts in their pleasures they would shun all advances of the serpent even as they would shun the plague if they were so afraid that they would hail with thankfulness every movement towards the banishment of the evil then though that movement be not exactly the one that they would have preferred

so afraid that they would sign every pledge that is presented to them even though it circulate their names from maine to oregon then indeed the influence that woman has would be thrown in the right direction it is this very sense of personal security that makes our so-called temperance women sit with meekly folded hands deploring in smooth and proper phrases the evil in the abstract

mrs browning has said that we women cannot take in the idea of a starving multitude that starvation to call forth our sympathizing aid must be embodied in the little red-headed girl who begs at our back door

I have thought that if we mothers saw in the blue-eyed, brown-headed darling the central figure of our beautiful homes, a possible drunkard reeling through the streets, how earnestly would we rise up and combat every inch of ground over which our darlings will have to tread, closing the doors of temptation on every side.

in the millennium our young ladies will have learned to decline the attention of young gentlemen who poison their brains and pollute their breaths with liquor in any form this is the doctrine i preach to maria why she says catching her breath what a ridiculous idea how would i look saying to harry unless you give up your glass of wine every day after dinner i will have nothing to do with you

then i my dear maria do you ever feel the necessity of saying to harry unless you refrain from taking what does not belong to you i will have nothing to do with you yet if harry were an acknowledged thief do you believe you would count him among your familiar friends i was speaking of educating public opinion up to the right point

now my jenny will never believe it right to take for her friend a boy who begins to drink it is the wretched little beginnings that you young ladies might control if you only started right intemperance and kindred evils the question reads but the kindred evils seem to me so closely linked to the great central evil

that when our influence is what it should be in that direction it will naturally be strong in all the other channels there is much to be said on the tobacco question enough to fill one entire paper but i am already transcending my limits and i cannot look on the cigar-smoking tobacco-chewing public without feeling that they are nurturing the unnatural appetites that send them or their offspring reeling from bar-rooms

In this view of the case, nothing is said of that class of people who escape personal or family harm or disgrace, but who, by their example, lead more susceptible brains astray, and it seems to me that every influence that can be brought to bear on the liquor question can come with equal earnestness against the national curse, that is, tobacco.

there is one form in which the serpent appears to us that is so like an angel of light that i long to put out some of its false shining i mean the awful medicine chest that finds its way into so many households

How amazed have I been to see little boys in Christian families fed with a half a spoonful of gin with hot water and sugar for a real or fancied stomachache, or a few drops of brandy on sugar to quiet a cough, or a little wine in the glass of milk to strengthen a weak stomach.

oh mothers mothers surely this is a place where your influence will come with power none like yours while the sons are little boys at home don't be beguiled by any long-exploded notions of the remedial qualities of alcohol to feed your children on that which is so likely to prove their ruin

i believe that many and many a drunkard's grave is filled by those who nibbled their first taste of poison from a bit of sugar prepared by a mother's hands passing over the long and honored list of names that might be produced to prove the folly of using liquor for medicine in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred i cite but one dr willard parker

i once waited in the reception-room of dr parker's office from nine o'clock a m until two o'clock p m waiting for my turn to consult the honored physician and dr parker has given his testimony with no uncertain voice on the same subject trifles are these points which i have cited so at least we call them

what is a drop or two of brandy in an article of food what is a sip of wine on new year's day ah don't you know it was the little foxes that spoiled the vines if the women of our country the mothers and wives in their quiet homes the young ladies in their outside friendship would set firm and steady face against the kid-gloved fingers of the wily foe

the ungloved brazen hand stretched out from bar-rooms and saloons to snatch after victims would be shorn of half its strength what not to say is the trying question when one is limited as to space there are so many many thoughtlessnesses upon which one wants to touch i have a friend a fair pure girl with sweet bright face a favourite among her acquaintances

she is not one of fortune's favourites she has many duties and responsibilities the family shopping to a great extent devolves upon her there is a grocery just around the corner from her home she can get tea there for half a cent a pound less than at the store farther down town

be the morning rainy or snowy or icy or unspeakably warm she walks with resolute feet past the first store away down to the fourth corner block why because in the back room of the first-named building they deal out poison by the glass

she has a friend a gentleman friend who quietly exchanged the liberty of hotel life for the restraints of a private boarding-house i asked him why he admitted that addie disliked the idea of his boarding at a place where they sold rum

She has a father who has filled his cider barrels with good honest potatoes because Adelaide was so down on cider and she was such a good daughter they didn't like to cross her in her notions. She has two little brothers who never buy those delicate emissaries of Satan candy cordials because Sister Addie thinks they are awful things. Does anyone doubt where that young lady's influence is?'

Finally, there is not a day in the 365 that this friend of mine does not enter into her closet and shut the door, and there plead with her father, who seeth in secret, that the awful curse may be lifted from the sons of men. Is not this the key note? How shall women's influence be rendered powerful against intemperance and kindred evils?

Get the praying women of Christendom on their knees before God to plead for rescue. Not spasmodically, not once a year on fast day, but every day of every year. Does anyone doubt on which side of this question God is to be found? Dear wives and mothers and daughters and sisters, will you work with God? End of section 5.

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Section 6 of Modern Prophets and Other Sketches by Pansy and Faye Huntington. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Before and After Chapter 1 Sing unto the Lord, for he hath done excellent things. Mother, do you suppose Father will forget my shoes today?

i don't know freddie you will have to wait and see replied mrs huntley smiling to hide from her darling the terrible pain in her heart how well she knew what the father's forgetfulness meant how many things he seemed to have forgotten she remembered a sabbath years ago when with many others they had stood in the village church and avowed their faith in christ

later in the presence of a few friends they promised to be true to each other and with words of benediction the minister concluded the marriage ceremony then she had shaken off the ties that bound her to that old home and followed her husband to this land of strangers patient and unwearying she had borne many burdens submitted to many hardships

if she sighed for the home of luxury she had left he never heard it if she was lonely and desolate he never knew it but those vows both the covenant and the marriage he seemed to have forgotten the bible the family altar the blessing at meal-time the church and the sabbath were all forgotten at least so it appeared

What had come in to drive out the memory of these solemn and sacred scenes? What was dragging Chester Huntley down to the very depths of degradation? What shadow rested so heavily on that home, so dense and far-reaching, that vain were the mother's attempts to lead the little feet in sunny paths? What demon was it that so far had gained an easy victory?'

how little need to write the answer and how one shrinks from the accursed word what but rum would make a man forget everything sweet and precious and sacred this home of the huntleys was five miles from waring there are thousands of just such homes in this land a long low frame house a rose-bush under the parlour window the slip brought from the old home

a syringa close by the doorstep a wild cherry tree in the yard a neglected garden and tumble-down fences an orchard mossy and untrimmed fields wherein are half-gathered crops of last year a plough standing in the furrow and in the yard huddled a group of lank and forlorn-looking cattle

Can you see the place? It may be your next neighbor's. It cannot be far off. You and I know it well, for a drunkard's home. Indoors, the green wood in the cracked stove hisses and sizzles, smokes and sputters by turns. Freddy, grown restless and weary of confinement, looks longingly out of the window.

strange how many things he could find to do out there while there is not a single bit of pleasant occupation to be found in the house why he could ride down hill upon his rude sled build a snowman throw snowballs at a mark track out a map over in the meadow or go to the neighbor's to borrow a book or paper

these are a few of the things that freddy wanted to do but could not for the lack of shoes the shoes which his father was always forgetting poor freddy his mother had earned the money to pay for them by sewing for a neighbor and one morning in early winter she said chester i would like to go to town with you to-day what do you want to go for was the ungracious response

"'Freddie needs a pair of shoes, and I thought as you were going, "'I had better take the opportunity to go and get them.' "'Humph! I haven't any money to buy shoes with today, I can tell you. "'Taxes will have to be paid soon, and that will take all I can rake and scrape.' "'But I have the money for the shoes,' she replied unwisely. "'Oh, you have. Well, you might as well let me have it. "'I can get shoes, I reckon.'

mrs huntley hesitated noticing it her husband broke out fiercely afraid to trust your husband eh pity you hadn't thought of that ten years ago no chester i am not afraid to trust my husband but i am afraid to trust that fiend which sometimes takes possession of him mrs huntley was a brave little woman else she had never been able to go through with all that fell to her lot

she never contradicted or rebuked her husband when he was not perfectly sober but when he was himself she did not gloss over the fault but let him understand perfectly how she hated the sin at her plain intimation he laughed awkwardly and said well i promise you not to take a drop too much to-day so let me have the money if you would only promise not to take a single drop

"'Oh, that is asking too much this cold day. Don't be too strict. Come, give me the money. I must be off.' With many misgivings, Mrs. Huntley yielded the point and handed out the treasure. All day, six-year-old Freddy talked about his shoes, wondering if they would have silver tips or if they would lace up snug to keep the snow out. Didn't Mother suppose that the shoe-dealer would throw in a box of blacking?'

If he should go to sleep before father came, would she put the shoes where he could see them when he woke up? Poor Freddy! Mr. Huntley was so forgetful. His conscience did reproach him somewhat as he witnessed Freddy's grief the next morning, for as usual, when he went to town, he was late in returning, but weeks had gone by and still the shoes were not bought. He always forgot.

mrs huntley knew very well that there was now no money to buy them with but she could not summon courage to tell freddy the truth indeed she was always hoping that her husband would reform and that there would be no need that he should ever know the whole story of these dark days though it had been long since she had been able to go to church

Though no Christian minister had crossed their doorstep these many years, she had kept near to Christ, leaning upon the promises, trusting, hoping, praying ever, teaching her boy lessons of faith, committing his future, which seemed almost hopeless, into the hands of a loving Savior.

this afternoon she was busy upon a piece of work for which she was to receive the price of a pair of shoes and she had resolved that this time freddy would not be disappointed she was happier than usual thinking that he would not have to wait but a little while longer just before dark mr huntley returned having gone with a neighbour he had no horse to put out and came in directly demanding supper

"'Why are those cows not shut up?' he said angrily. "'Why, Chester, who would do it?' asked his wife. "'Who? That boy that you are forever coddling. It is about time he began to earn his living. A pretty pair you are, sitting here over the stove all day doing nothing, letting the cows starve and freeze.'

"'But, father,' said Freddy, "'you know I haven't any shoes, and mother hasn't any either, only some old things that don't keep out the snow a bit.' "'Shut up, you little impertinence. Here, put on my shoes and do the chores.' "'Chester Huntley!' exclaimed his wife. "'What can that child do out there among the cattle?' "'He or you will do what there is to be done. I am not going out again to-night.'

said the half-intoxicated man stubbornly very well said mrs huntley calmly i will go and quickly drawing on the heavy boots and arraying herself in hood and shawl she went through a blinding storm which had just set in and performed the task which belonged to the strong man who had sworn to cherish and protect her

for nearly an hour she breasted that fearful storm the cows were stalled and fed the horses and sheep attended too the pigs and chickens remembered the kindling split and the water brought then the exhausted woman staggered in to find the head of the house indulging in a nap upon the floor while freddie sat curled up in an old arm-chair sobbing as if his heart was broken

father was so cross he said then with a great sob i don't believe he will ever remember my shoes shivering and with aching head and weary limbs mrs huntley crept away to bed with her darling boy after throwing some blankets over the sleeper before the fire

With her child in her arms, she prayed softly, but with earnest entreaty, for strength, for help, for deliverance from the curse that rested upon them, for speedy deliverance. "'Come at once,' she ventured, "'and break these bands and restore my husband to himself, to us, and to thee.' Again and again the cry went up to God. Could he fail to hear?'

during the days that immediately followed it seemed to mrs huntley that god had indeed turned away from her prayer never had her life been so darkened never her burden so heavy the next morning she was scarcely able to leave her bed painfully she performed the necessary tasks while her husband having slept off his stupor harnessed his horse and drove away in the direction of waring

It was a stormy day, and as the hours wore away, Mrs. Huntley grew very anxious. The snow was fast falling in the roads. There was a long stretch where there were no houses in sight. Suppose her husband should be unable to get through. He was often unfit to take care of himself. Sometimes a neighbor brought him home.

For hours she watched and waited. The chores at the farm were all done, and yet he didn't come. At last, just as darkness was shutting out everything beyond the bare little kitchen, she went to the window for a last look and saw the horse plunging and plowing through the snowdrifts.

ten minutes later her husband came towards the house from the barn she could just see his swaying form then a few yards from the door he staggered and fell down the nearest neighbour was nearly half a mile off

he would perish before she could get help, and that delicate woman, with a strength that must have been given her for the occasion, dragged the heavy, helpless mass of humanity into the house, bathed the frosted hands and feet, and unable to lift him into bed, made a bed upon the floor, and succeeded in getting him on it. Then she braved the storm once more to see that all was right at the barn."

this was only the beginning for forty-eight hours she battled with snow and wind with work outdoors and in the house and with the fierce disease that had seized upon her husband at length the storm abated and mr gibson from the next farm broke through the drifts finding out the state of affairs he returned home for his wife and went for a physician

mr huntley's attack though severe soon yielded to dr morris's skill mending rapidly at the end of three weeks he was out again he made light of his illness saying it was the cold the fiercest storm i ever faced but chester said his wife if you had not been overcome by something more than the storm that could hardly have overpowered you

couldn't eh do you know anything about that storm i should think likely i spent about two hours doing the chores besides she stopped the memory of that evening's work was too painful but he took up the unfinished sentence with a heartless laugh besides rolling me into the house i wonder you didn't leave me out there since i am such a good-for-nothing scamp oh chester

you say oh chester with a very pretty air but your next breath you'll try to prove that i was drunk so your prettiness is wasted mrs huntley looked straight at the man who just then seemed to her to have lost every trace of real true manhood and said firmly

"'Chester Huntley, you know you were drunk. There is no use in denying it. If you were ashamed of it, if you would even own it, I should have some hope of you. I tell you now that while I could give my life for you, I hate this sin of yours. I have kept it hidden from Freddy and from the people at home. I have tried to hide it from the neighbors, but you and I know it.'"

"'Well, Lucia, have it so, if you will, but don't be angry. It isn't the worst thing in the world. I have plenty of good company in it. I met Joel Fairchild at Bentley's, and he invited me to a little supper there with a lot of others, but I thought you'd be anxious if I stayed.' "'I suppose he wants your vote sometime,' replied Mrs. Huntley, grown calmer.'

You are very suspicious, said her husband. I wish, Lucia, that you would take things that come without so much fuss. Maybe I did take a glass too much, but I'll take care in future. As yet, no token of answered prayer. But Mrs. Huntley did not know how God was working. End of section 6

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CHAPTER II. You did not come in to see me last night, said Mrs. Joel Fairchild to her husband, as he leaned over her lovingly on Christmas morning.

no dear it was quite late when i came in and i did not like to disturb you replied mr joel fairchild smiling upon the beautiful woman in the invalid chair but i was awake and heard you come in she said did you

and a shade of annoyance crossed the gentleman's countenance he knew that his step was not quite steady that he stumbled and he remembered that he had some difficulty in finding the door-knob and his room was next to hers too could she have detected all that what kept you out so late she asked

"'Oh, you know it was Christmas Eve, and some of the boys got up a little supper. Of course, I didn't care anything about it myself, but I find it expedient to mix with the people. All things to all men, you know,' he said, laughing. "'I don't know any such thing, Joel. Not as you put it.'

"'But if you are to be Mrs. Senator Fairchild some day, I must use the means to gain that end, and a great deal depends upon the very men I was with last night. You know very well that I do not care in the least about being Mrs. Senator Fairchild.' "'You ought to be more ambitious, my dear,' interrupted her husband. "'And let me assure you, that event may not be very far off.'

so you must hurry and get well these pale cheeks will hardly do for washington they say it takes a strong woman to go through a season at the capitol yes and joel it takes a strong man to go through an election campaign a great many fall before the tempter

"'Oh, well, don't worry, Helen. I may think better of it before the time comes to try my strength. There'll be no chance yet a while. We are only getting things in train for the right time.' Mrs. Fairchild shook her head sadly. Presently she said, "'I can tell you what I'd do if I were a man and ambitious of political distinction. I would join the temperance party.' Her husband laughed long and loud."

Political distinction in the temperance party. Why, Helen, one might better join the women's rights party. There'd be a much better chance in their ranks. Your temperance party is a child's play. Indeed. Twenty-five or thirty years ago, you might have said the same thing of the anti-slavery party. But you will acknowledge that during the last fifteen years, one could ask for no higher honor than to be a leader in its ranks.

now the next great issue of our country may be the temperance cause and those who are easily identified with it may find themselves upon the top wave of political power again mr fairchild laughed i declare helen i didn't know you had so much of the scheming element in your character

Oh, Joel, I wouldn't have you think that I would have anyone enlist in such a cause from political motives. I said it was what I would do, but my whole heart and soul is already with the temperance cause, and if ever I regain my strength, I must do something to help it on. If the men will not, the women must. Whew!

ejaculated mr fairchild how you frighten me i hope you don't intend to go stalking about the country telling horrible stories of the sufferings of drunkards wives you haven't much to complain of in that line eh helen no my dear she answered smiling as she toyed with the dark curls that brushed against her sleeve

no joel you are always kind and good but i am very anxious oftentimes it is such a slippery down-hill path that you are treading if you would only promise me never to touch another drop now helen it is really perfect nonsense this idea of a total abstinence pledge i believe in the moderate use of the good things of this life

but there are plenty of good things that have not a curse bound up with them you put it strong i put it just as it is but i was going to ask a favour of you well and the gentleman waited with a look that said i don't mean to be caught by promising beforehand you know john is coming to-day won't you banish the wines from the table while he is at home

"'My dear wife, that is asking too much. You have not forgotten that Colonel Lansing and Judge Stone are to dine with me to-morrow, and of course we must have liquors. And besides, do you expect to keep the boy from the sight of wine? He must take his chances. I trust that a fair child will not forget the honorable name he bears. I am not afraid for John. He must learn to take his wine moderately, of course.'

It is one of the accomplishments of the day. Don't be foolish now, dear. How do you like your books?' "'They are beautiful, thank you. As you go to breakfast, you will find I did not quite forget the day. But I did not expect anything but a new tonic or something of that sort,' she said, laughing faintly.

"'Didn't you?' responded her husband. "'Well, see here, I'm going to let you select a real Christmas gift when you are able to go to the city. Those books may serve to while away some lonely hours.' And as he arose to obey the breakfast bell, he laid a five-hundred-dollar bill in her lap. Mr. Joel Fairchild was the rich man of Waring. I am not sure that he was not the rich man of the county.'

the only child of old john fairchild he had inherited his father's millions and by fortunate investments he had added somewhat to these he was shrewd in calculating and ambitious but genial and generous proud of his beautiful wife and his two children and very indulgent to them

just now he was looking for high places in the political world and his anxious wife trembled as she saw him dallying on the outer circles of the fearful whirlpool he had never been a strict temperance man and he found it easy to fall in with the practices of those whom he thought it expedient to conciliate by that course

mrs fairchild knew what she dreaded years before she had fought a fearful battle for the soul and body of an only brother the wrecked and ruined body was for many months her constant care the salvation of the stained and marred soul her first concern the memory of those terrible days was softened by the hope that christ received unto himself the repenting soul of the victim of intemperance

Ah, well, she knew what a terrible thing it was to have the coils of the monster wound about the soul of a man. She knew that it needed superhuman strength to break away. And her husband and her son were in danger. She ought to be up and at work. How she mourned over her weakness. For a little time, she forgot that it was God's will that she should be shut off from activity.

something must be done these two must be saved wearing at least must be saved but she must wait a little for physical strength and for direction she lay back in her chair the tears stayed as her faith and trust in god revived nurse brought her breakfast then her daughter came in to make her morning visit are you going out this morning asked mrs fairchild

"'Yes, Mama, as soon as I get my basket filled. Oh, I must tell you, about half of the candies that Papa sent up are brandy drops. I don't want to turn into a rum seller tonight.' "'Certainly not.' Papa laughed at me and said I was almost as much of a fanatic as you were. I don't like to ask him to take them back. What can I do?'

do put them in the fire and get some money from my drawer to buy real candies strange how the fiend lurks about in the most unsuspicious guises there was to be a christmas festival that evening and nellie fairchild was to sell candies her father furnishing the stock and the avails to go to the fund but she was a staunch little temperance woman and had long ago voted out brandied confections

lately her father always had his wine at dinner but it was never touched by her mother or herself as a little child john had sided with his mother and nellie he sang temperance songs recited temperance poems talked and practised temperance he had been away from home at school most of the time during the last two years

his mother feared that he had lost some of his early enthusiasm and dreaded the influence of the father's after-dinner bottle her next visitor was her physician dr emmons doctor she said you must prescribe a new tonic i cannot take the wine you ordered cannot why asked the astonished physician because i do not think it right she replied

"'Nonsense! Excuse me, Mrs. Fairchild, but I do not quite understand you.' "'I think I spoke plainly,' she replied, smiling. "'You do not think it right to drink wine?' "'I do not. As a beverage, perhaps not, but as a medicine, that is very different. I supposed that total abstinence people allowed that,' said the doctor.'

there may be cases in which it is absolutely necessary but i hardly think mine one of them responded the invalid i beg your pardon mrs fairchild but allow me to remind you that you are under my care professionally and i may be supposed to be the best judge of what is necessary in the case said dr emmons somewhat haughtily

but you will yield to my wish in the matter will you not you may call it a prejudice or whim or whatever you like but give me the best substitute and let me try it for a few days it will only be a question of time and anxious as i am to get strong as soon as possible i cannot take the wine

Dr. Emmons insisted, grew angry, apologized, argued, and finally yielded, and the wine was banished from the sick-room. "'Thank you, doctor,' said the patient. "'You will be surprised to see how fast I shall gain. I feel stronger already, almost in trim for the fight.' The doctor laughed pleasantly, though he did not at all understand her."

about the middle of the afternoon there was a change in the atmosphere of the house the front door flew open and a great breeze rushed in a breath of it seemed to penetrate every corner of the dwelling a breezy voice called out merry christmas

A pair of boots with a great deal of snow on them flew up the marble stairs. Overcoat, cap, and tippet distributed themselves upon the floor, the stairs, the landing. The same breezy voice shouted, "'Where's anybody?' upon which Nellie appeared from Mama's room, where she and Mama were holding counsel upon the subject of dress. "'Here's somebody,' she answered, and was speedily half-smothered in an enormous hug."

Then the boisterous fellow who owned the boots and voice rushed into Mama's room, but grew a trifle more gentle at the sight of the pale face that lay back upon the cushions. "'Mama!' "'John!' That was all. By and by they talked a little, then Nurse brought Mama's dinner, and John and Nellie joined Papa at the table. Nellie came back alone."

papa kept john she explained and mrs fairchild looked troubled was it indeed true that she could not trust the boy with his father resolutely she put aside the thought saying to herself what i cannot help i must not worry about i must do what i can and leave the rest with god he cannot fail me

mr fairchild poured out his wine passed a glass to his son who shook his head saying thank you father but i do not care for wine i'll take an orange while you drink yours mr fairchild laughed as he said

"'Haven't you outgrown those childish notions yet? I hope you don't keep up that old habit of reciting temperance hymns. But really, John, I insist, you need not drink much, but you must learn how to manage your glass. I am to have two or three gentlemen to dinner tomorrow, and I don't want you to appear awkward or singular. It would not be quite the thing for a boy of sixteen to offer a rebuke to my guests by refusing the wine.'

john's scruples were overcome at length and his father had the satisfaction of finding him an apt pupil and he further had the satisfaction the next evening of calling a servant to help him carry his only son to his room in a state of intoxication

How did it happen? Naturally enough, it grew out of the father's first lesson. The boy found the taste of the wine pleasant, and not satisfied with the few sips he took while at the table with his father and his guests, returned to the dining-room for more, ventured upon a little brandy, sat down by the fire, and fell into a stupor.

mrs fairchild heard the heavy tread on the stairs and along the hall tracing it to her son's room and insisted upon being told the truth whereupon she fainted when partially restored mr fairchild brought her a glass of wine with sudden energy she seized it and hurled it into the grate then looking full in the face of her husband she exclaimed

"'Joel Fairchild, my child shall be saved from a drunkard's fate. If I could keep you from it, I would. But if you are stronger than I am, and will insist upon going down to the bottom, you shall go alone, you shall not have our boy.' "'Helen, dear wife, don't reproach me, I cannot bear it.' She had exhausted her strength for the time. When she spoke again, she said,

i did not mean to be harsh but i cannot have my precious boy a drunkard but my dear the nurse now interposed this will not do she said wait until you are rested before you try to talk i'll rest now but by and by i'll fight she whispered

the next day was one of terrible suffering to john fairchild headache thirst fever shame and grief all united to make him the most wretched of mortals towards night the family grew alarmed and sent for dr emmons who administered an opiate and prescribed perfect quiet saying that unless the boy's excitement could be calmed he feared serious consequences

his mother sent loving messages his father said cheerily never mind john you'll be all right yet mr fairchild was somewhat mortified by the occurrence but not seriously troubled it was nothing he said the boy will know better next time the experience won't hurt him he needed it to teach him caution

"'Do you think it strange that the father should be so insensible to the son's danger? Why, he didn't even see his own peril. When John was able to go to his mother's room, the two had a long, sorrowful talk, sorrowful at first, but glad afterwards. "'I thought I was safe. I never dreamed that I could be overcome,' he said, "'and I do not think I could have been in any other way.'

father made it appear a duty towards him i'll tell you mamma he said towards the end of the interview suppose you write a pledge in your little bible and let me sign it on the fly-leaf you know i think i should keep that soon after john went back to school for reasons which he did not divulge mr fairchild discontinued the use of wine at dinner during the remainder of john's visit

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before and after chapter three it was the old story a drunken switch tender a collision and death

men and women in the midst of talk merry or maybe earnest with a half-read book or paper in hand or with busy brains plotting and planning suddenly brought face to face with the messenger of whom we only know that he will come some time there was sorrow in many homes but just now we have to do with but one of these joel fairchild's beautiful house was a house of mourning

Two days before, Nellie had turned back for another kiss and said, "'Now, old Papa, take good care of Mama until I come back,' and then sped away for a brief visit. Now she had come home, but so still and quiet, and the whole house was quiet. John came home again, but the doors did not bang, and there was no merry song floating through the house."

the accident had occurred a few miles from waring and nellie's parents reached their child in time to hear her cry good-bye i am sorry to leave you but i shall be so glad to get there tell john to stick to his pledge and trust in jesus christ

among the friends that gathered about them in this time of sorrow was dr emmons after the funeral was over and they had laid the fair young creature away in hillside cemetery he came frequently sometimes sitting an hour with the lonely mother he was an elderly man and had long been the family physician and familiar friend

one day they were talking of nellie as usual the doctor happened to use the words mysterious providence mrs fairchild said quickly doctor what killed my child why mrs fairchild i think i have explained to you that it was the broken rib no i don't mean that i'll tell you what killed our nellie it was rum i am not sure that there was any mysterious providence about it

"'My dear madame,' began the doctor, considerably shocked.

"'Yes, I know,' she interrupted. "'You think I am wicked or reckless in my remarks. I believe in an overruling providence as surely as you do. Oh, don't I? But I think people sometimes lay things to God and fold their hands resignedly, when they had far better hunt up the real cause and try to mend it. Now this is just as I say. Rum did it.'

why yes that is indirectly the fellow had been drinking i suppose said the doctor slowly yes he had been drinking rum or whisky and he bought it at alison's and you and my husband voted for men who framed this miserable license law you can't touch alison he has a license there is nobody to blame but poor job

who had not moral strength to resist temptation to my mind the cause of this dreadful calamity lies a good ways back of job frink but all the wrath of a self-righteous people is directed towards that miserable man and nobody thinks of going down to the bottom of things

"'But, my friend, if you go to the root of the matter, you must go below saloons and hotel bars. You talk as if the license law was the starting point. Why not stop the manufacture of liquor or prohibit the raising of hops and the sale of corn for distilling?' "'Who would make whiskey if they couldn't sell it?' asked Mrs. Fairchild. "'I tell you, it is the saloons that do the mischief.'

They are open night and day, brilliant and inviting, a constant and powerful temptation. Just think of it, ten or twelve such places here in our little village. No wonder that mothers are afraid to trust their sons, or that wives from the country dread the going to the village. Dr. Emmons, why don't the Christian men of this place do something?'

"'What can they do, will you suggest?' asked the doctor. "'Do a number of things. Shut up the places that are open without a license, restrict the others to the terms of the law, that would help a little, then petition the legislature for immediate action, and besides, talk and preach and pray. I think you do that pretty well.'

said her husband, who had entered the room since the talk began. "'Better leave that part to the ladies, eh, doctor?' "'The whole work seems to be left to them,' responded Mrs. Fairchild. "'It remains to be seen if they will take it up. You need not be surprised at a grand uprising some day. Then look out for thorough work.' "'Yes, that's it,' said her husband. "'You women go to extremes.'

Haven't we suffered the extremes? Count over the women in this village whose lives have been wrecked by intemperance, lonely, desolate women, whose days are crowded with bitter memories, others whose lives were made up of hard work mixed with abuse. This place seems given over to whiskey, but it will be redeemed.

the two gentlemen exchanged glances and smiled at the confident tone and the kindling cheek with which the last words were uttered i hope so certainly said mr fairchild there is a great deal of liquor drank here altogether too much

but I do not believe in total abstinence, unless it be for those who have not manliness enough to keep within bounds. By the way, doctor, did you see the account of the women's raid upon the saloons in some small town somewhere? I have forgotten just where. They fairly frightened the poor scamps into giving up the business, and signing the pledge into the bargain."

yes i saw it last night a rather singular freak i should say i wonder what bentley would say at such a visit i reckon he'd do some tall swearing returned the host it seems d o lewis was at the bottom of that movement said the doctor i always knew him for an eccentric sort of a fellow what is it i haven't heard anything of it do tell me all about it what is it joel

Mr. Fairchild laughed. Perhaps I'd better not. You may seize upon the idea, and I shouldn't care to see you mixed up with such goings-on. But tell me, insisted the lady, of course I can read for myself, but if you and the doctor are going to discuss the question, I should like to know what you are talking about.

"'Well, I've told all about there is to tell. They had a temperance meeting, then a lot of women sallied out and pushed into the saloons and sang and prayed until the proprietors gave in. "'Ah, bring me the paper when you come up to dinner.' "'Better look out, Fairchild,' laughed the doctor. "'I see the leaven working, but I must be off. Good morning.' "'I'll walk down with you,' said Mr. Fairchild.'

"'Joel, please tell Johnson to bring the horse round at twelve. It is a nice day. I think I'll drive out.' "'Yes, do,' said Dr. Emmons, turning back. "'It will do you good. You ought to drive out every day. That wife of yours is a thorough temperance woman,' he said as they walked down the street. "'I wonder she don't convert you.'

i suppose dr emmons called himself a temperance man but to him temperance meant moderation he never visited saloons oh no but when he dined with joel fairchild he never refused the glass of rare old wine which his host offered

oh said his companion that isn't so easily done she is terribly in earnest though always was but since our nellie's death her interest in the subject has become almost a mania and all her indignation is directed towards the man who sells

"'For my part, I should work against the man who drinks to excess. "'If that miserable drunkard Frink had not killed himself, "'I should feel like calling curses down upon him. "'Poor little Nellie! She was too pure and lovely to stay here.' "'The man's voice trembled, and tears filled his eyes, "'yet he went straight to Bentley's saloon and called for his favorite champagne. "'Then he went on to the store.'

"'Where's Hurlburt?' "'I left him in bed,' replied the clerk, addressed. "'Why, what's the matter?' "'Nothing much, sir, only there was a little gathering across the way last night, and Hurlburt came home a little worse for the entertainment. He will be around by noon.' "'It won't do, won't do,' said Mr. Fairchild, as he went on to his private office. "'Why can't the fellow let the stuff alone? This thing occurs quite too often.'

consistent man was mr joel fairchild it was at a little supper which he gave his clerks that young hurlburt first tasted the stuff meanwhile mrs fairchild's thoughts ran upon the singular method of working against intemperance which her husband had described i must find out all about that she said to herself there's evidently more to it than joel pretended

Strange how I am haunted with the idea that there is going to be work done here. Only to know where and how to begin, I'm ready. What can be the reason why we are always left out?

asked pretty Annie Sidney, turning away from the window as if she would avoid the sight of the merry slaying party. "'Because we are a rum-seller's daughters,' replied her sister Grace bitterly. "'Don't you know that being a country tavern-keeper's daughters cuts us off from society as if we were drunkards ourselves, at least from the only sort of society that we care for?'

it is unfortunate that we have tastes and ambitions above our station laughed annie so it is replied grace

Now hear that noise in the bar room. Wouldn't it be fine to be entertaining Frank McAllister here in the parlor, where the oaths and vulgarity of that vile hole can be heard as plain as day? Imagine yourself singing with Lizzie Wheeler and her brother to the accompaniment of clinking toddy glasses. Lovely idea, isn't it?

"'I know it,' said Annie. "'And I hate this life we lead. One can't go to church without being preached and prayed at, nor to a lecture without hearing some pointed allusion to this miserable business. I'm afraid to take up a newspaper. I'm sure to light upon something disagreeable. That reminds me, did you see the account of the doings in Fredonia? The women going to the saloons and holding a prayer meeting?'

"'Yes, I saw it. And I wish a whole army would come and hold a prayer meeting right on our steps,' said Annie. "'So do I. I wouldn't care if they stayed a week. I guess if Father can stand old Joe Ridwell's vulgar songs, he could stand a few hymns.' "'Oh, but they wouldn't want him to stand it.' "'Well, I suppose not,' replied Grace.'

but i guess it would take more than a week of praying to make him give up his business if i thought a week's work would do it i'd be inclined to try it myself oh grace don't be irreverent i'm not i'd gladly turn into a devout nun for the sake of getting out of this the door flew open as doors always do when there's a boy at the other side and tom sidney rushed in almost breathless

"'Oh, girls, something awful has happened. The whole town will be in an uproar.' "'What is it? Tell us quick.' "'Old Billy Sloan fell into the river last night and was drowned.' "'Going from here?' gasped Grace. "'Yes,' answered Tom. "'That's just the worst of it. Father sold him the liquor that he got drunk on, and now everybody will be blaming Father.'

no they won't either when job frink got drunk and neglected the switch nobody blamed allson for selling him the whisky he had a license so does father said tom thoughtfully yes he has a license to do what asked grace with a bitter sneer

those stone tables that moses and the people of his day believed in forbade killing a man and somewhere in the bible it says woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink and ever so many more frightful things

The Bible don't give license, conscience don't give license, and if you could get at the best part of it, you would find that public opinion don't give license. It is only the miserable law that says you may put a cup of death to your neighbor's lips, and that you may take your neighbor's money for leading him to destruction, that you may go there yourself if you want to.

"'But if public opinion is strongly against it, I should think the law would be changed,' said Tom. "'Oh, public opinion is muddled. The law requires that a certain number of voters shall sign your petition for a license to carry on this infernal business. Of course, in a world made up of all sorts of people, plenty can be found ready to help on the archfiend's work.'

then the better part of the public shun the miserable victims of this arrangement and mourn and sigh over the spread of intemperance while they sit still and let it spread i can tell them the millennium won't come that way grace you are in a bitter mood to-day said annie

"'It is the same mood I've been in for months, only I never spoke out before. I don't think I can stand it much longer. If father would listen to me, I'd have this establishment shut up. Then we would work this neglected farm, be respectable, and have a peaceable conscience.' "'Which do you care the most about?' asked Tom, laughing. "'Respectability or a clean conscience.'

"'You can't have one without the other,' answered Grace shortly. "'Well, seems to me you are kind of crusty anyway. I can tell you something that will make you brighten up. I had almost forgotten it. Mate McAllister called to me and told me to tell you girls to come over and take tea and spend the evening.' "'Mate McAllister? Didn't she go with the slaying party?' "'It appears not.' "'That is queer. I wonder why?'

it was grace who wondered i think i can guess said annie well what is it you guess tom had taken himself away after he had delivered his almost forgotten message and the sisters were now alone

"'Well, you know she likes Charlie Hurlbut, and always goes with him, and I heard the other day that he was getting very unsteady, drinking a great deal, and I know that mate would not go with anybody who was intemperate if she knew it. I can't believe that Charlie Hurlbut drinks. Oh, dear, I say, Annie, some day I'll knock in the head of every whiskey barrel in the storeroom. Shall we go?'

why yes bessie can get supper everything is ready i'll go and tell father mr sidney's family consisted of himself and the three children whose acquaintance we have made besides bessie a younger sister he had kept a hotel for many years and seemed perfectly satisfied with his business not so his daughters they hated the liquor business

how they had come by this hatred they could hardly have told it may be as far as grace was concerned her admiration of frank macalister had something to do with it i am so glad you came exclaimed their friend mate meeting them at the door i'm so restless and lonely to-day i suspect that i wanted to go with the rest to ride she said laughing why didn't you go then asked grace

"'Well, I'll tell you one reason, though there's another.'

"'You see, they have gone out to Arnold's to a supper, "'and they will be sure to have plenty of liquor. "'Frank told them, when they were getting up the ride, "'that he would not go unless they would agree to have only coffee and lemonade. "'They wouldn't agree to that, so he did not join them, "'and of course I couldn't either. "'Then Frank suggested that we have you over here for a nice little sociable time. "'So it was Frank after all!'

thought grace with a soft light in her eyes everything was delightful colonel and mrs macalister were cordial the tea-table was faultless the parlors bright and pleasant mate lovely and frank interesting some way in the course of the evening the temperance question came up mate said afterwards i entirely forgot that mr sidney was their father

and frank said i did not forget but i knew that grace's sympathies were with the cause i ought to have mentioned that these people lived at east waring street a thickly settled street three miles east of the village of waring have you heard said mate of the work the ladies have undertaken at waring no what is it

"'They have held meetings and formed an organization to work in the temperance cause. "'They are going to try to suppress the sale of liquor in the village.' "'That's splendid!' exclaimed Grace. "'I'd like to be there.' "'Would you really like to go over?' asked Frank. "'There is to be a meeting in the church tomorrow afternoon. "'If you like, I will take you all over.' "'Thank you,' replied Grace. "'I should like it. Wouldn't you, Annie?'

"'Yes, but perhaps father wouldn't like to have us go. Maybe he wouldn't. I think we had better ask him before we make an engagement. Very well, I'll call over in the morning and see.' The next morning at breakfast Mr. Sidney remarked in a troubled tone, "'I'd like to know what the women are making out over at the village. Did you hear anything about it over to the colonel's last night?'

"'Yes, sir,' replied Grace. "'I believe they are holding meetings every day and are going around among the saloons to try to have the proprietors give up.' "'Humph! I am half a mind to go over today and see what's going on. Frank and Maid are going, and they invited us to go with them, but we thought perhaps you would not like it. We would like to go if you are willing.'

i wish you would i want to know maybe you can find out if they are coming here i want to be ready what would you do to get ready asked annie alarmed oh nothing only get my courage screwed up replied mr sidney and then a few minutes later he continued

i wouldn't allow you to go if i were not so anxious to hear what's going on from somebody that has been there i don't like to have you get mixed up with those mcallisters why father what is the matter with the mcallisters oh they are well enough in their way which isn't my way i let them alone and they ought to let me alone

"'I didn't know,' said Grace, her cheeks flushing, "'that they had troubled you in any way. What have they done?' "'Nothing directly. The temperance folks never do. They work against us underhanded, circulating their pledges among our customers and that sort of thing. And, Grace, I can tell you one thing. Colonel McAllister will never permit his son to marry into a tavern-keeper's family.'

Grace laughed, though she could have cried easier. As she said, "'Your warning is unnecessary. I fully understand our position in society.' "'But, Father,' put in Tom, while he flooded his cakes with syrup, "'couldn't you give up tavern-keeping for the sake of having Frank McAllister for a son-in-law?'

altogether too uncertain a prospect replied mr sidney good-humouredly rising from the table and going into the bar-room to wait on a customer neither grace nor annie had yet learned to call god their father they had not learned the sweet lesson of trust in the dear saviour they had no stronghold to flee to in times of trouble

The nearest church was at Waring, three miles away. There was a mission service at East Waring Street every Sabbath. They sometimes attended the preaching service. The Sabbath school interfered with dinner, and Mr. Sidney would not have a change. But Bessie went regularly and had learned to pray.

When, an hour after, she found Grace crying, she said, "'Grace, if you feel so bad about Father in the liquor, why don't you ask Jesus to make him stop? He can do it.' "'What do you know about it?' asked Grace almost sharply. "'I know that Jesus promised,' said the child, "'and I know, too, that I have prayed about a good many things lately, and he has made them different.'

"'Well,' said Grace softly, "'I am glad there is one in the house who can pray. I wish I could. I'd pray this curse away in a hurry.' "'Oh, Grace, I don't believe God hurries about things.' "'Well,' said Mr. Sidney, taking his seat at the table the next morning without so much as a thought of God the giver, "'what kind of a time did you have?' "'Pretty good.'

replied Annie, seeing that Grace did not speak. "'What are they doing over there, anyway?' "'Praying.' "'That's good business for them that have nothing better to do. Come,' he exclaimed. "'Can't you tell us something about it?' "'Father,' said Grace, "'it can't be told. I just wish you'd been there. I never heard anything like it.' "'Spose not. You never heard much praying.'

nor did much either eh grace said tom not so much as i mean to do replied grace quietly and her father whistled well he said

old mrs baker and mrs joel fairchild seemed to be the leaders but the church was full of ladies and a great many took part talking and praying they are very resolute and have pledged themselves never to give up while there is a drop of liquor sold in wearing as grace and her sister proceeded to give some particulars concerning the meeting telling who spoke and what they said mr sidney grew excited and finally began

"'Curse! Father!' said Grace quickly. "'You remember you wanted us to go, and you wanted to hear. If you are going to be angry, I shan't tell any more.' "'I'd better have kept you at home,' he growled. "'Bessie,' said Grace, when the two were alone, "'I'm hoping to begin to pray about Father. I don't suppose I have any right to pray, but don't it say somewhere in the Bible, whosoever?'

"'Yes,' returned Bessie. "'There are a great many whosoevers, but I think I know the one you mean. It is, "'Whosoever will, let him come. I'm glad you're going to do it. You can't think how nice it is to know that there's somebody that can help, and that he will.'" They were only two. But was there now any need of the army for which Grace had wished two days before?"

End of Section 9. Section 10 of Modern Prophets and Other Sketches by Pansy and Faye Huntington. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Before and After Chapter 5.

Let us go back a few days and take up our story at Waring. It was the women's prayer meeting, nothing special about it apparently, just the weekly meeting. For years these few had met regularly with no other visible result than the strengthening of their own souls for the battle of daily life.

for a long time the church at waring had languished only at rare intervals one came from the world to join god's people and the hearts of his children were either cold or faint there was no lack of worldly prosperity the church building corresponded with the modest pretensions of the place a few wealthy members kept the financial matters all straight

The pastor never complained of a want of promptness in the payment of his salary. Picnics, festivals, Christmas trees, and sociables were properly managed. Nothing was lacking but spiritual life, or perhaps I ought to say spiritual activity. A few faithful women met week after week to pray, and pledged themselves to pray in their closets for the outpouring of God's Spirit.

During the week of prayer, these had been moved to greater earnestness and had pledged themselves anew to a united effort. A few more had joined them, and weeks had gone by, their own souls growing stronger, their faith clearer, their hearts warming with Christ's love, while the burden of souls rested heavily upon them. It was a gray-haired woman who led the meeting. Her voice was choked with feeling as she began.

Dear sisters, I want to propose a special subject for our prayers and consideration. It is the temperance cause. We have all read of the work that has been done in two or three places by the women. Shall we not try to do something for wearing? At least shall we not ask the Lord what is His will in the matter?

May it not be that he calls upon us to go forth armed with prayer and engage in the war against grog-shops? It seems as though a great wave of temperance revival was about to sweep over the land, and though it comes too late to save my dear ones, I thank God that others may be rescued. She spoke with difficulty, and all present were deeply affected, for her story was well known.

three sons had died a drunkard's death and a grandchild crippled by his father's hand was now her care she continued shall we take it up this evening and ask what wilt thou have us to do

the lady who responded was a young woman with fair fresh face upon which there was not a line of care and no token of sorrow yet it was an earnest face though you could read in it no deep experience she said

Having pledged ourselves to plead with God for the conversion of souls, ought we to turn aside for anything? My heart is with the temperance cause, but if we can gain the ear of our heavenly Father and prevail upon him to visit us in mercy, turning the hearts of sinners to himself, will not the temperance cause gain more in that way than if we turn away from our main object to pray for that especially?

One or two others seemed to take a similar view of the matter, and one said, ìIt seems like enlisting in a hopeless cause. What can a few women do? I know the prayer of faith is a power, and we can pray, but after all, must not the real work be left to the men?î

dear sister dayton how many years has it been left to them and what have they done to turn back the fearful tide of intemperance has it not swept on and on until destruction threatens the speaker was mrs fairchild who had gained a good degree of physical strength she continued

wives have pleaded with their husbands mothers with their sons sisters with their brothers entreating them to stay their downward course and save their own souls have their pleadings availed indifference and too often abuse has been the only response

we have petitioned those in authority only to be refused sometimes courteously sometimes with insult we have urged in private and some of us in public the importance of electing temperance men to office

We have done what we could to encourage men to duty, and we have waited until we can wait no longer. Let us take up the work in God's name and never give up until this town of Waring is redeemed. Sitting beside Mrs. Fairchild was a woman whose face was a sad history. It was Mrs. Bird, a young widow.

Five years ago there had been a brilliant wedding, a grand establishment in the neighboring city, a few months of happiness, then clouds growing darker and denser, until, as the years went by, there was no sunlight in the heavens for the young wife. Her husband was a drunkard, and died the miserable death of a drunkard.

AFTER ENDURING ALL THE HORRORS OF A LIFE BOUND UP WITH ONE TO WHOM A MORAL AND MENTAL DEATH HAD ALREADY COME UNTIL THE PHYSICAL FRAME ALIKE YIELDED TO THE DESTROYER, SHE CAME BACK TO WEARING. SOMEONE SAID, HOW COULD YOU LIVE? BECAUSE I COULD NOT DIE, SHE RETURNED. MANY TIMES I PRAYED FOR DEATH, NOT REALIZING WHAT I ASKED.

now i think that god had other plans for me that there is something which i have yet to do before he lets me rest i wonder if sitting in that little quiet and deeply solemn prayer-meeting she felt that the something had come to her it was she who said

Perhaps the thought is new to some of us. Suppose we do not discuss it further at present, but spend an hour in prayer for direction. I think there is not one here who would not be willing to follow the lead of the Spirit, though it might take us into the very thickest of the battle. Let us seek it. And now soft and tender pleadings rose to the throne."

it was a prayer not only of petition but of complete consecration to whatever work should be laid at their feet in behalf of her sisters she pledged that in oneness of heart and mind they would labor as directed pleading for hearts from which self should be excluded for a readiness to put away cherished schemes and to work according to god's plan

There was no further discussion. It was emphatically a prayer meeting. At its close, the leader said simply, We will all carry this matter away with us. We will take it to our closets, seeking earnestly for light. We will do nothing rashly, but go forward as the way seems clear. We will come together tomorrow afternoon, at least so many of us as shall be led hither.

And so the weekly meeting grew to be a daily meeting, growing in numbers and interest. The men, the temperance men, began to wonder at the earnestness of the women. The whiskey dealers began to dread what might be coming, and the whiskey drinkers began to take in the fact that possibly their supplies might be cut off.

as is well known there were plenty to oppose some with ridicule some with earnest expostulation some questioned the legal rights of the proposed measures some the moral right some thought it highly improper and others feared an injury to the cause a few noble christian men approved and rejoiced ranging themselves with money and influence upon the side of these brave workers

The father-in-law of Mrs. Bird, with whom she lived, taking a daughter's place in the house, bowed down with sorrow and shame at the fate of his only son, exclaimed, "'God bless the noble women! God bless them! And see here, Marion, you will need money. Just hand me my spectacles and bring writing materials. I'll fill out a check now. Don't give in without making thorough work.'"

Meeting Mr. Joel Fairchild, Dr. Emmons said, "'I told you so that morning. You would have done well to have taken your wife to Florida last fall, as I recommended. I was in earnest about it, for I had no idea that she would step out of doors this winter if she stayed here, but she has gained wonderfully. I wonder if she saw this thing coming.'"

i'm sure i don't know returned mr fairchild and i don't know whether to laugh or to frown upon this silly piece of business if it were not for my political prospects i would just as soon see the fun go on

it won't affect my bill of fare i get my wines directly from the importers i only patronize the saloons now and then by way of policy but if this thing goes on it will ruin our party and i don't know but it will ruin the country the thing is spreading like wildfire and it must affect trade

yes very seriously and cut off a great source of revenue i think these ladies hardly consider the consequences they don't look below the surface they see that a great deal of sorrow is brought about by means of liquor and straightway jump at the conclusion that it is an unmitigated evil and must be done away with entirely instead of correcting the abuses they would forbid the use even moderately

but it is really astonishing how the insane excitement spreads why it is not more than a month or two since the very first starting and now it has swept over a great territory however i presume that like other excitements it will run its course and die out i suppose so returned mr fairchild a little doubtfully he knew how terribly in earnest they were

he knew that his wife had strong hopes of bringing about a great and permanent reform and as he had said he feared the result as regarded his political prospects he was vexed with his wife that she would consent to ruin his plans for what he considered a bit of fanaticism he had tried expostulation without effect but helen if this thing goes on it will ruin the country which thing

"'Why, this women's movement, or crusade, or whatever you call it,' replied Mr. Fairchild. "'Oh,' said the wife, "'I didn't know but you were coming around to my views. I think that the liquor traffic is what is going to ruin the country. I don't see how success in our efforts can bring such a disaster. To be sure, Waring is a small place, but it helps to swell the aggregate.'

"'Yes, thank God!' interrupting. And if the thing spreads as it has so far, it will soon sweep the state, if not the nation.' "'Thank God again!' said Mrs. Fairchild. Her husband looked vexed. It seemed as though he should never be able to say what he started out with. He continued, "'Helen, there is just this about it. The liquor trade is a much more extensive business than you have any idea of.'

mrs fairchild smiled as she remarked i believe i have mastered the statistics for this state the gentleman proceeded without noticing the interruption if the traffic is suddenly cut off there must be great financial distress and perhaps utter ruin very well better that than a ruin which is hopeless

but my dear this movement is meeting with strong opposition and just so sure as it reaches the large cities there will be riots and very likely bloodshed that is not a new thought to me joel and yet you would have it go on i would have it go on why helen i thought that you were a christian woman i cannot understand how you can think it right to be one of the instigators of a movement that may result in bloodshed

see here joel was the anti-slavery cause a good cause why yes hesitatingly i suppose so my father was one of the leaders and did it meet with no opposition were there no martyrs did no one predict the ruin of the whole nation but my dear wife the cases are not at all parallel

perhaps not that was slavery mental and moral as well as physical so is this that degraded its victims so does this but the unhappy slave might hope for rest beyond this life while the drunkard has no such prospect you can judge for yourself which is the worst well i wouldn't care so much if you women would only leave it to us

and you would go on putting the wine-glass to the lips of our young men look at young hurlburt how was he urged into taking the first glass do you remember and where is he now at other times mrs fairchild pleaded most tenderly and earnestly with her husband seeking to gain his co-operation one morning about two weeks after the daily prayer-meetings had commenced and before any outside work had been done she said

"'Joel, I cannot tell you how I long for your sympathy and your help in this work. I'm going to start out this morning with the pledge. Let me have your name to head it, will you?' When I tell you that Mrs. Fairchild did not make that request upon the impulse of the moment, but that she had prefaced it with many prayers, it will not appear so strange that he should have answered very quietly. "'Yes, I will head it. Let me take it.'

when he handed it back she glanced at the plainly written name then her eye met his as she said simply thank you joel and immediately went on her mission well he said to himself i have sent one woman on her way rejoicing i wonder how my dinner will relish

I do not propose to write out the story of the work which was in this way begun in wearing. Enabler pen than mine has already made it a part of history, and everybody knows of the glorious triumph of those who fought with spiritual weapons against a foe that had hitherto seemed invincible. End of section 10. Oh yeah.

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before and after chapter six mr huntley grew impatient of confinement and as soon as he was able to get out he declared his intention of driving over to waring

"'But, Chester,' expostulated his wife, "'you are not strong enough. Don't go just yet. We can get along for a while longer without anything from wearing. Maybe you can, but I'm going. I can't stay cooped up here forever. Spring's work will be coming on soon, and I must prepare for it.'

mrs huntley sighed spring's work indeed how little of that or of summer's work or of fall's work indeed how little of any kind of work her husband did nowadays their neglected farm showed too plainly the slack hand of the master but she knew that opposition was useless and with a heavy heart she watched his departure trembling at thought of his return

the care and watching together with extra work during her husband's illness had been a severe strain upon her nervous system and she went about her necessary work with a heavy step and aching head half an hour later she was interrupted by mrs gibson who had been very kind and helpful during chester's illness to-day she put down the basket saying in a cheery tone

my man was going over to starkwell to be gone until night and i have come to spend the day you are to go right to bed and i am going to finish up the housework not a word you look clean tuckered out i know just how it is waiting on sick folks is hard but one that's getting well is enough sight worse

when jonathan has them sick spells he is always dreadful cross when he is just getting about again i tell him he wants more waiting on than a baby remonstrance upon mrs huntley's part was useless and she was forced to go to bed

"'Just until I get through here,' said Mrs. Gibson, "'and then we'll have a regular talk. "'See here, I had my dinner all ready for the oven "'before I knew that my Jonathan was going past here. "'When I found that out, I just clapped it into a basket, "'and now it shall go into your oven.' "'As she talked, she was rolling up a hot brick for Mrs. Huntley's feet, "'and the weary woman was left to take the rest she so much needed.'

but her thoughts were busy she was going over for the hundredth time with the details of a plan which had been growing up in her mind and upon which she felt that she needed advice she had thought that there were none to whom she could go but now the suggestion came why not seek counsel of mrs gibson

Relieved by this new thought, she fell asleep, and awoke to find her friend standing beside her with a cup of tea and a light lunch. She was saying, "'My dinner will not be very early, so I have brought you something now.' "'Where is Freddy?' asked his mother. "'He is popping corn out there. I promised to show him how to make it up into balls by and by.'

"'Well, won't you please shut that door for a little while and sit down here? I want to ask your advice.'

i may as well speak plainly she continued you know just how it is my husband is not fit to have the training of a child like freddie and i have thought of sending him to my brother at the east for a few years he is wealthy and would take him i am sure it would be terrible to have him go away but it is terrible to think of his growing up here

i think his father would consent upon certain considerations which i can offer but i do not know how to decide after giving a detailed account of her plans of her family and circumstances and other matters she asked what would you advise

Mrs. Gibson replied, I cannot advise, but I can tell you what I think. You are Chester Huntley's wife, and you are bound to stick to him through thick and thin, and God has given you Freddy to train up for him. I hold that no earthly being should ever be allowed to come between a child and its mother. It is a hard place, but God has put you in it, and to him you must look for help.

i don't think he will desert you mrs huntley i have been praying for your husband lately at first it seemed a heavy burden that was laid upon me but somehow it has rolled off i think the answer is coming and it was nearer than they thought

thank you i have prayed and prayed and during chester's illness i hoped that he would come to view his life differently but i see no signs of an answer and my faith grows weak and the poor woman's voice was lost in sobs after a little she continued it is a dreadful strait that brings a mother to the point where she is willing to part with her child i am glad i spoke to you i see it somewhat differently already

it was nearly three o'clock mrs huntley sat in the old arm-chair by the stove while mrs gibson was busy with the dinner the getting of which she had taken upon herself when the door opened and mr chester huntley walked in both ladies looked their surprise and mrs huntley exclaimed why chester you are home early did you overrate your strength here take this chair

thank you sit still no i feel stronger than i have in a great while and he looked down upon his wife with a queer smile but the poor woman's heart sank as she thought it's the brandy i'd rather he feel as weak as a kitten if her eyes had not been dimmed by the tears that were filling them she might have seen the something in his face that mrs gibson saw and caused that lady to say

"'Chester Huntley, I believe you have signed the pledge.' "'That's it,' he replied. "'Oh, Chester!' "'It is true, Lucia,' he said earnestly. Then laughing a little, he added, "'One might as well do that anyway, if he couldn't get a drink anywhere.' "'What do you mean?' "'Why, just this. There isn't a drop of liquor to be had in Waring for love or money.' "'What has happened?'

"'Well, I can't find out exactly. Strange things one would conclude, judging from the reports and the results. I only wish I'd been there to see. It seems that queer doings have been going on all around us for the last month or two, and we have never heard of it until it comes to our very doors. So much for not taking a paper. I reckon we will have as much as one newspaper in the neighborhood after this.'

do tell us what it is all about said mrs gibson growing impatient to know by what means the lord was answering her prayer for this man well it was the women you and lucia here know how they all hate the liquor business and it seems that they have risen in a body and made a descent upon the saloons and prayed and sung the brandy into the street

"'They have made thorough work in wearing. "'At Bentley's you can get tea and coffee, "'but not a drop of anything stronger. "'And, Lucia, I remembered what good coffee you used to make "'and thought I'd rather have some of yours than Bentley's, "'so I brought home some.' "'Coffee! Chester!' "'Yes, and here are Fred's shoes. "'I got my pay from Burgess "'and concluded that I might as well get the shoes.'

i'm getting dinner said mrs gibson but i shall have nothing to do with the coffee you must attend to that though i didn't mean that you should lift a finger to-day but if mr huntley felt stronger so did his wife and the coffee-making was a delightful task while the work went on mr huntley recounted what he had heard in regard to the wonderful change that had been going on in waring and at other places

when they were seated at the table there was a slight pause then mrs gibson who was an impulsive little woman broke out abruptly looking straight at mr huntley now we are all thanking god in our hearts for what he hath wrought why don't we speak it out thus appealed to the gentleman hesitated a moment and then summoning his resolution from his lips came the first prayer he had uttered for years

we thank thee o lord that we have been permitted to see this day it is of thy mercy wilt thou help us to keep our new resolves and bless us each as we have need it was a happy little dinner-party mrs gibson was not at all in the way she had been such a friend lately they were glad that she could share their joy

she only wished that jonathan would come and after dinner was over he did come and had to wait for a cup of mrs huntley's coffee which was pronounced delicious though as she said she hadn't tried her skill for years they have meetings over there every evening said mr huntley suppose we all go over to-morrow evening

the proposition meeting with favor the arrangement was made that freddie should be left with mrs gibson's sister with whom he was a favorite and that they should go together what a wonderful thing it is said one very happy little woman to her husband as they rode homeward

yes if huntley holds out it will be a glorious thing for him and his wife too why she looked almost beautiful to-day it was the joy i suppose yes if you had seen her this morning i never pitied any one as i did her but jonathan you ought not to put that if in there you must have more faith

"'Well, but you know that Huntley hasn't shown himself a man to put faith in,' returned the husband. "'But you can have faith in God. That's what I mean.' Meantime, while her husband was busy out of doors, feeling like a new man, that other happy woman was upon her knees, thanking God for what he had brought to pass. That evening, as they sat together talking quietly, the redeemed man said,

"'Lucia, it will be a long, hard pull uphill, but that is better than staying at the bottom, isn't it?' "'Yes, indeed. We shall not mind that. I cannot realize that we are really starting out upon a new life, and that the old dark days are really done with.' "'Yes, done with. Only their shadows reach forward a great ways.' "'But sunlight dispels shadows,' returned the wife, with sunshine in her face.'

and of section eleven section twelve of modern prophets and other sketches by pansy and fay huntington this librivox recording is in the public domain before and after chapter seven

annie sidney had gone over to sue warren's just for a little while bessie was at school and tom had disappeared an errand took mr sidney to a neighbor's thus it happened that grace was left to look after the wants of any possible customers she hated to be left in charge and she had resolved if any one came they would have to wait until her father returned for she would not serve them

however no one came and sitting there alone the young girl who had just learned to pray led to that refuge through her overwhelming interest in the one topic which was moving the hearts of multitudes of christian women let her thoughts go out towards the god in whom she was trusting for a release from this hateful life they were living finally forgetting everything else her thoughts found utterance

Returning home, Mr. Sidney paused at the door. It was a strange sound that he heard. It was not conversation. It did not sound like reading. It must be the voice of prayer, though it was so long since he had heard a prayer that he scarcely recognized it. Who could it be? Surely there was no one in his family who prayed. Who then? A sudden trepidation came upon him. All his mustered courage left him.

could it be that the women had come to visit him in the interest of the temperance cause what should he say to them on the whole he would go away and stay until they left but he would just peep through that broken shutter and see how many there were great was his surprise and relief to see grace sitting there alone her elbows resting upon the table her head leaning upon her hands grace praying

where did she learn to pray her voice was so low that only now and then a word reached his ear but he gathered that she was praying for him and asking god to stop the liquor selling he was very angry that his own daughter should turn against him it is all the macalisters doings he said to himself and then he laughed a little sneering laugh

i wonder if that girl really thinks that she can accomplish her purpose that way was it chance that bore the next sentence to his ear may all things be done according to thy purposes mr sidney went to the barn and when he returned grace was not visible he made no reference to what he had seen and heard but he watched grace narrowly and knew that she often went away to pray for the fulfilling of god's purposes

now mr sidney was a peculiar sort of a man he never went to church never opened a bible i wonder if drunkard makers ever do but he could talk very religiously and was particularly submissive to the divine decrees saying there's no use in fighting against what is appointed

and nowadays the idea had taken hold of him that his business was about to be broken up and that he had great reason to think an attempt would be made to prevail upon him to close his house should he wait or should he close of his own accord it was no use resisting if the lord was going to let these people have their way

"'No, that was not the way to put it. "'According to thy purposes. "'That was what Grace had asked, "'and that was just what he believed in. "'And it seemed to be God's purpose to let this thing go on. "'If so, he might as well shut up first as last.' "'As he was in this state of mind, "'Grace and Bessie appeared one morning "'with the rum-seller's pledge. "'Father,' said Grace, "'won't you sign this?'

taking the paper and looking at it he asked who sent this nobody sent it replied grace i asked for a copy i we all we children i mean want you to sign it it will make us all a great deal happier even if we do have to work harder

"'Please do sign it,' pleaded Bessie. "'It will make ever so many other people happy. "'Mr. Bates buys his brandy here, "'and Fanny Bates has a dreadful hard time when her father gets drunk, "'and she don't have clothes fit to wear to school.' "'At length Mr. Sidney yielded and wrote down his name. "'Bessie jumped and clapped her hands. "'Tom hurrahed, and Annie laughed her joy, while Grace said,

father may i knock in the barrels i've been aching to do it for ever so long i don't care was the reply as mr sidney took his hat and walked out to meditate upon future ways and means

it was soon known that the franklin house bar was closed mate macalister came running over to congratulate mate was a happy girl nowadays three months ago she had firmly put aside that which but for one single flaw would have seemed the best gift heaven could send very sadly she had acted according to her conscience and her reason and declined the honour of becoming mrs charles hurlburt

now he had taken the pledge and was likely to regain his manhood and he was only one of the young men of waring how vast the aggregate of good growing out of the efforts of a few christian women father said grace a day or two later

i wish we could attend some of the meetings over at the village they are held every evening preaching and prayer meetings they say there is a great religious revival following the temperance movement will you go and take us grace was a little surprised when her father consented to go she had not dared to hope for that

the church was crowded and the interest intense after the sermon came the prayer-meeting and the opportunity to express a love for christ a hatred of sin or a desire to be delivered from it many had spoken when mr joel fairchild arose

his wife sitting beside him gave a little start of surprise then her face resumed its calm look but soon an expression of gladness rested upon her countenance said her husband i believe i was the first man in this place to sign the pledge in the late canvass but i cannot claim the honor of being the first to take the stand for christ in this revival

many have been before me in declaring their purpose but i trust that it is not too late i have fought a fierce battle this afternoon but i believe that in the name of christ jesus i have gained a victory and now publicly i wish to declare myself a follower of the gentle saviour i wish to be numbered among those who desire and need the prayers of those who know how to pray chester huntley was the next speaker he said

Fifteen years ago, in the church where my parents worshipped, I entered into covenant vows, but those vows I have since forgotten and trampled upon, wandering far from the path of duty. Two days since, I began to try to grope my way back. No sooner had I turned about than Christ met me, and tonight I rejoice as the wanderer rejoices when he comes back to waiting friends.

Another and another. And then Grace Sidney said, I do not know that I am a Christian. I began to pray several weeks ago. God heard my prayers in several instances, and I have kept on praying, and it has never occurred to me to ask if I were a Christian until tonight. If to believe in Christ's promises and to desire to do His will is to be a Christian, then I think I may claim the name.

What a tumult went on in Annie Sidney's mind. Grace had found something she had not. How should she secure the same blessing? She could never get up and tell all those people that she wanted to become a Christian. Could she? But who was speaking with husky voice and trembling frame? Her father. Then they were all leaving her behind. Mr. Sidney was saying,

My friends, I have been a very wicked man. I cannot believe that God forgives such sin as mine. I have been the instrument of great evil. Through me, many have gone the downward road. If God does receive such great sinners, I want to find my way to him. Will you pray for me?

those who have been through such scenes know what it was like to others it can only be said in grace sidney's words it cannot be told poor annie found her voice in the inquirers meeting the next evening so did young hurlburt john fairchild and tom sidney with many more who ere long would say

O Lord, I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me. Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song. Who shall say that this band of praying women were not led by God, even as truly as the hosts of olden time were led by pillar and cloud? End of section 12.

You're listening to Classic Audiobook Collection. Give us five stars and share with a friend who likes free audiobooks as much as we do. Now back to the show. Section 13 of Modern Prophets and Other Sketches by Pansy and Faye Huntington. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Grandma Porter.

It was New Year's Eve, and I was sitting in the back parlor, in my grand chair, looking as nice as a new pin. Daughter Sarah and son-in-law Willard had gone to one of the partner's houses to dinner, but my granddaughter and I were at home together as chirk as you please. I was all fixed up in my new black silk and best white cap, for Helen says, says she,

"'Grandma, I want you to look real beautiful tonight, because it's New Year's Eve, you know.' "'Sure enough it is,' says I. "'And like enough, you'll be having crowds of company. I shouldn't a bit wonder if I'd better go to bed.' With that she colored up like a peony, and says she, "'Do you suppose I want to associate with anybody who wouldn't like to see my grandmother?'

I couldn't help smiling at her sweet face, so red and handsome, and I hurried to answer her. Says I, "'La, no, child, I know all about that, just exactly what you think of grandmother. But then I do suppose there's times and occasions when a woman of twenty is company, and a woman of seventy and over ain't, and

and I shouldn't wonder if New Year's Eve was one of them, and I'd just as soon go to bed as not, it ain't over and above early now, you know.'

With that she came and cuddled down on my footstool and got hold of one of my old hands, and says she, "'You ain't going to bed these two hours yet at least. You needn't think I'm going to be cheated out of my evening with you. I don't expect much company to-night. They'll all wait till to-morrow, you know. But there's one person I do expect, and I want you to see him.'"

i didn't know there was enough strength left in my heart after going day and night for more than seventy years to make it give such awful bumps as it did then i felt queer all over for something in her voice made me think of the time when i first told her great-grandmother something special about her grandfather

I'd just turned 19 then, and I remember I got down in a huddle in front of Mother, just as Helen was sitting now in front of me. It's one thing to be a-laughing at the young creatures about folks in general, not meaning anyone in particular, and knowing all the time that they think all the young men are like a row of pins to be made useful here and there where they're needed, and to be stuck back in a row again when you don't want them.

and it's another thing to have one of your grandchildren come and get down before you and get hold of your hand and look at you with great big sober eyes and cheeks all rosy while she talks with you with that queer sound in her voice that makes you most sure that one of them has been picked out and laid by and don't belong to the row any more

what with wondering all about him and a-wishing with all your heart that there was just one man on this earth like her grandfather and that she had picked him out so that you might feel safe and certain about her it's a pretty trying time for a woman over seventy i can tell you by and by i got my heart to stop thumping so that i could speak though my voice didn't sound quite right and says i what's his name

"'His name is Everett Burleson,' says she very softly. I didn't like the sound of the name, but that's neither here nor there. If his name had been Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob, and he'd been a-wanting my Helen to change hers for it, I do suppose I should have been that foolish that I shouldn't have liked the sound of it at first. So I went on questioning her.'

"'I never heard of him before,' says I. "'Where has he kept himself all this while?' "'He has kept himself here a good deal,' says she, with a little bit of a laugh. "'But he's only been in the city eight months, and you know you were away at Uncle Porter's almost four months, so you have not happened to hear of him.' I waited a little, and when I asked the next question, my voice was all of a tremble.'

"'Be you going to marry him, dearie?' says I. "'Is that the reason why you want grandmother to know him?'

She hid her face in my lap then, as quick as a flash, and says she, "'Oh, Grandmother, you do go fast. You almost take my breath away. There hasn't been anything really, really serious said, and I don't know as there ever will be, only I like him better than any of my other friends, and I think he likes me, and—oh, there's nothing, Grandma, nothing at all, only I want you to know him.'

well before we had a chance to say another word the bell rang and in came mr everett burleson she brought him straight out to my corner and introduced him to me with as pretty a blush as ever you saw on a girl's face he was very civil and proper spoken to me i thought he said almost too many nice things about being glad to make my acquaintance and all that

To be sure, I am used to nice-sounding words. In fact, I may say I ain't used to no other kind, but it kind of seems as if they generally meant more than his did. I thought it stood to reason that he shouldn't be so very glad to see a wrinkled-up old woman like me. While Helen was gone into the front parlor to meet him, I prayed a little prayer for her.

"'Says I. Now, Lord, if he ain't a true man, every inch of him, I do hope you'll make it plain to Helen this very night. I ain't afraid but what I'll see it very quick if he ain't, and I don't know but what I ought to pray for grace, not to see faults that he ain't got. But do, dear Lord, look after Helen. She's just a lamb, and how do I know but the wolf is prowling around after her this very minute?'

well they talked about a sight of things and he kept very nice to me i didn't like him but i couldn't rightly tell why i saw plain enough that his heart was set on helen and that he wished with all his might that i would go off to bed and leave them alone

but that wasn't nothing more than natural, and I didn't blame him one mite for it, and as the Lord didn't seem to be a-showing me no way to help her, I was a-thinking about doing that very thing when she started me on a new track. Says she, "'You are going to make New Year's calls tomorrow, I suppose?' That reminded me of something I wanted to know, and I spoke, and says I, "'Be you a temperance man, Mr. Burleson?'

he laughed good-naturedly but he answered prompt enough i believe i am well then says i you can tell me what i've been anxious to know is there any plan to carry on things more decent than they've been doing for years back i don't understand you says he why says i i mean about their wine are they going to give them coffee or water this year instead

he colored up a little then and i thought spoke kind of stiff like and says he i suppose people will offer whatever refreshments they choose as they have done heretofore well says i it's a great pity i think i don't know what the good folks can all be thinking about or what's become of them all why don't you young men rise up and show your colors you could make away with this notion in a hurry

He laughed again, and says he, ìWhy, my dear madame, this is a free country. We canít tell people what they must eat and drink, you know.î ìNo,î says I, ìbut you can tell them by your actions what you will drink and what you wonít drink dreadful quick.î ìBut, grandma,î Helen says softly, ìall young men are not strict temperance men, you know.î

no says i no more they ain't more's the pity how many be there of you you belong to a temperance society of some sort i suppose don't you i do not says he very decided

"'You don't,' says I. "'Well, now, don't you think that is a good way to help things along? Why don't you get up a little society and have a meeting now and then, and have speeches and singing, and the girls would give you a supper every now and then, and it would be real fun, besides doing a deal of good?' For some reason he didn't feel as pleasant as he had. His voice sounded almost cross, and says he—'

my talents don't lie in that direction it don't take no great talent i told him just draw up a pledge or buy a printed pledge and put your name to it and get the others too don't you think it would be a good thing i don't approve of that way of doing business says he

"'Don't you?' says I. "'Well, there's more than one way of doing the same thing. I was never one to think there wasn't. What do you think is the best way now?' And then a very queer thing happened. I don't know that I ever see a gentleman act just so before. He turned himself square around from me, as if he hadn't heard a word I said, and says he—'

"'Miss Helen, do you go to the gathering at Freeman's tomorrow evening?' Helen was leaning over the arm of my chair, but she drew herself up and sat up straight, and says she, "'My grandmother asked you a question, Mr. Burleson?' He colored up to the roots of his hair, and says he to me, "'I beg your pardon, ma'am, I am absent-minded. What did you ask?'

i spoke quite meek for i felt kind of sorry for him i thought maybe he had no plan made that just suited him and he didn't like to say so before helen so i just told him that i thought i would like to know his way of meeting the trouble but it was no particular matter i believe in men controlling their appetites and not making beasts of themselves he said at last

"'Why, that's just what I believe in,' says I, feeling a good deal puzzled. "'And that's what I was trying to get you to help them do.' "'They need very little help in doing that if they've got common sense,' says he, quite grand-like. "'Well then,' says I, "'there must be dreadful little common sense left in the world, according to the way a good many folks are going on.'

in other words spoke up helen you believe in liberty of conscience i suppose leaving men to do just as their wisdom dictates precisely says he seeming to feel very glad that he could talk to her instead of to me we have to respect the rights of every citizen in this country you know we have no right to trammel the liberty of others

oh says she as if he had given her a new idea would it be proper for me to ask what happens to be your personal choice of rights in regard to this question well as to that says he smiling

I am personally rather indifferent. I am not fond of liquors. It would be no special cross to me to have nothing to do with them. So you see, it is the principle of the thing rather than the personality. I might say I hardly tasted wine from one New Year's Day to another. Do you taste it on New Year's Day then? Helen says, and her cheeks were all in a glow.

oh yes says he i sip a little here and there you young ladies would be shocked beyond measure i presume if we didn't forego our scruples long enough to pledge your health and happiness on that day you will never be invited in my father's house to pledge my health in anything stronger than coffee

helen told him and her eyes shone like two stars i thought he looked surprised and a little bit scared but his voice hadn't a pleasant sound when he said indeed i didn't know you were a reformer miss helen i have the honor to belong to that class so far at least as new year's customs extend says helen and her voice wasn't soft and gentle any more

"'But I thought, Mr. Burleson,' says she, "'I understood you to tell my grandmother that you were a temperance man.' "'So I am,' says he, "'in the truest sense of that word. I believe in being temperate in all things.' "'Oh,' says Helen again, with a queer kind of a curl at the end of the word, "'I was mistaken in regard to your idea of the word I perceive.'

"'Well, after that things didn't go very nice. They talked some, but Helen wasn't a bit like herself, and I got sleepier and sleepier. Once I fairly got up to go, but Helen held tight to my hand, and says she, "'Oh, Grandmother, don't go yet. Please don't. It isn't late.' And I saw she meant it, and so I sat down again and tried not to gape more than twice in a minute."

and at last mr burleson seemed to think if i wasn't going he would so he bid me good-night very civil and pleasant and helen only went as far as the parlour door with him then she came back and sat down on my stool again and hid her head in my lap

I sat and thought a spell, whether I should blunder out a word or two, or whether I should hold my tongue and go to bed. I asked the Lord to tell me which to do, and pretty soon it came over me that I'd better speak. So, says I, that ain't the kind of temperance that your father talks, Helen. No, says she, it ain't.

and after a minute she held up her head and her eyes were dry and her cheeks very bright red and says she it ain't the kind of temperance his daughter practises either then i told the lord how much i thanked him that it was all right with my helen and pretty soon she spoke again

"'Grandma, I am glad I coaxed you to stay up and see him, and that you had that talk with him. I haven't quite known what I thought of him before. Now I do.' "'What do you think now, dearie?' says I, putting my hand on her brown head and smoothing away the curls. "'I think,' says she, speaking slow and kind of sad, "'I think I was mistaken in the man.'

"'He's mistaken in himself,' says I. "'He thinks he's two or three things that he ain't. "'She had hit her face again in my lap. "'I spoke very gently and softly, "'for I think it's a dreadful thing to think you've got a friend, "'and then all of a sudden see him melt down into nothing before your eyes. "'I thought a spell, then says I—'

i know all about it helen when i was a trifle younger than you i thought i had a real true friend and come to know him better he wasn't worth a straw and it was pretty hard but that was before i knew your grandfather after i knew him i didn't care any more there ain't many men like father and grandfather nowadays her voice sounding kind of muffled like coming up through the folds of my dress

I don't know about that, says I. The Lord made your grandfather and your father, and I think it's likely he can make a grandson such as I want. I've asked him to, and I'm willing to trust him. And with that, don't you think Helen burst out a laughing? I was pleased all over, for I see her heart wasn't broke after all, only a little bit singed.

Pretty soon she raised up her head, and says she, You dear, blessed, sleepy, old darling grandmother! What a foolish girl I am to keep you up so! Let me help you to bed this minute. And I was glad enough to go.

mr carleton's headaches o wad some power the gifty gie us to see ourselves as ithers see us it wad fry money a blunder free us and foolish notion mr harvey carleton walked complacently to and fro in the elegant parlours of his elegant home a man of mark was mr carleton his name was very well known outside of the village where he dwelt

his name on a bit of paper was as good as a bank-note itself at least it answered the purpose of many bank-notes if mr carleton so willed it a good man he was too a benevolent man was a new enterprise afloat in the church in the young men's association wherein money was needed so that the object was a good one the movers in it unhesitatingly said

let us get mr carleton to head our list he is sure to give us something handsome and rarely indeed was their confidence in him disappointed there was a gentleman sitting in his parlour now wearing the unmistakable air that betokens a solicitor for something he sat by the window looking out rather gloomily on the passers-by

mr carleton meantime availing himself of the privilege accorded to elderly gentlemen of wealth and leisure continued his composed walk down the length of his spacious parlour denying himself the pleasure of extending that walk into the back parlour lest he should be carried out of earshot of his companion as he comes towards his young friend for the fortieth time so at least the young man thinks

that person turns his gloomy eyes away from the window and fixes them on mr carleton i confess i am somewhat disappointed he says in a subdued tone i was told that you were one of the leading men of the place in this matter

"'And you are correctly informed. At least, that is the name my fellow-citizens are pleased to bestow upon me. Perhaps I might almost say I have deserved it. Since I have been a lad of sixteen, I have been faithful and untiring in this work, and the Lord has given me the joy of seeing some of the fruits of my labor. Yet you will not put your name to this pledge?'

"'No, my dear young friend, that I do not feel called upon to do. There are more ways than one in which to work for the same end. I honor you in your effort. I trust you will be able to establish an excellent society here. I have no doubt you will, and if you need any pecuniary assistance, you may rely upon me. I shall be very glad indeed to assist you.'

but mr carleton since you are so entirely in sympathy with us why not give us your name you surely would not be more entirely pledged to the work than you are now not a bit more and that is one main reason why i consider it unnecessary my voice has given forth no uncertain sound in this matter

"'Well, suppose for the sake of argument, I grant you it may be unnecessary. I tell you at the same time that it would be an immense encouragement to us who have undertaken the work. Is there any reason why we should not be encouraged in that way?' Mr. Carlton took two or three thoughtful turns up and down the room before he made any answer. Then he drew a chair nearly in front of his companion and spoke earnestly.'

i think i may trust you you are a stranger to me it is true and i am very cautious of my words in a matter involving such grave results but you are the son of an old friend and i will speak frankly with you i am a temperance man to my heart's core but not in the extreme sense which this pledge of yours has it a total abstainer

That is, I occasionally drink a glass of cider. I keep wine in my house for medicinal purposes, and I occasionally take a glass of that.

Now mind, I don't think your pledge one wit too strong. There are hundreds of poor fellows who need just such restraint as that. I hope and pray that they will sign it. There are perhaps comparatively few men who are able to control their appetite and at the same time indulge it as I can. But I am one whom the Lord has especially favored in this respect."

i have no longing after liquor of any sort but the stimulus offered by wine is an occasional assistance to me and i therefore make sparing use of it but i never have it on my table nor in any part of my house where servants can be tempted by it i hold that to be a sin i have a few very intimate friends with whom perhaps once a year i take a swallow or two of domestic wine

but they are very intimate friends indeed some whom i have known all their lives to a stranger i would as soon offer poison at once now i have made quite a long story of this but you understand my platform you see his visitor regarded this curious man with a troubled puzzled air

Here was he, praying doubtless, lead us not into temptation, as often as a new day brought him on his knees in his closet,

and then coming forth to play with a temptation so deadly that to some men he unhesitatingly pronounced it poison and in the same breath thanking the lord he was not as other men are but that to him peculiar grace had been given so that he was entirely at liberty to play with edged tools how in the world should he take up such a bewildering contradictory twisty belief as this and try to argue about it

But, he said, speaking slowly, and as one bewildered, even though you are personally entirely safe from danger, by your own admission the great mass of the people are not. For the mere gratification of what is not even an imperative luxury, you surely would not cripple your influence in the world."

"'No,' and the earnest light in Mr. Carlton's eyes and the same ring in his voice showed that he meant the word.

No, God knows I would not, and for that reason I am, as I tell you, exceedingly cautious, exceedingly. If I am particular about anything in this world, it is as to how I talk and to whom I talk concerning this matter. I do believe that half, yes, two-thirds of the world would be better off if they took the total abstinence pledge,

therefore i advocate it and pray for it and give of my means for the advancement of the cause mr carleton said his guest earnestly as he rose to depart i tell you frankly i would for the honor and promotion of the cause rather have your name at the head of this pledge than to have your check for a thousand dollars to be used in the work mr carleton laughed good-humoredly and benevolently

"'My dear young friend,' he said in his complacent voice,

You are comparatively a stranger here. I see you don't understand my position. There is not a man in this village who doesn't know me for a hearty sympathizer with the temperance cause. I don't think there is a poor drunkard for miles around that I haven't talked with personally and tried to persuade into signing the pledge. I've given time and patience and money to the work, and everybody knows it.

Such being the case, what difference could my name in that pledge book make to you?' The incorrigible young man shook his head incredulously. "'I'd like to try the experiment,' he said pleasantly. "'You see, you have been saying to these poor drunkards, go sign the pledge. Now I should like to try the effect of hearing you say, come, let's go and sign the pledge together, you and me.'

besides mr carleton i am concerned about these few very special friends how can you always be sure i take good care of that i assure you answered mr carleton cheerily as he waited upon his guest to the door and added as an afterthought oh by the way you understand of course that that explanation was made in strict confidence as he closed the door he said benevolently

a good young man but the least bit fanatical perhaps well well i hope he will accomplish great good there was a beautiful suite of rooms over the parlour luxurious rooms dainty in all their appointments and in the largest of these rooms there stood just now two as miserable mortals as one often finds surrounded by such elegances and tokens of refinement

a tall young man in dressing-gown and slippers standing squarely in front of the side window his hair in disorder his eyes heavy his whole manner indicative of utter abject disgusted disappointment

the other occupant a fair young woman tastefully attired in a crimson morning wrapper and with her hair evidently once that day arranged in curls now pushed back in masses of disorder from a white miserable face the lines about the mouth were drawn heavily and her eyes were heavy with the weight of tears utter miserable silence filled the room

either they had nothing to say or else were in that dread state when each feared to speak lest they might say too much or exactly the wrong thing yet they were not wont to be at a loss for words when they were alone together nor afraid to speak them husband and wife they were had been for a year and were making their first visit together on uncle harvey carleton the old man downstairs

mrs carleton presently broke the silence feeling perhaps that any words were better than this black still misery frederick how is all this to end goodness knows i don't the tone said much more than this i neither know nor care and in perdition perhaps it's all the same to me in fact a whole volume of recklessness was shut up in the sound of that one brief sentence

a sigh so heavy and hopeless that it would have made your heart ache was the white-faced wife's only answer you know nothing about her misery god in his mercy grant that you never may are you a wife young loved and loving cherished with such tenderness as you never dreamed of even in the dreamy days of your girlhood

Imagine yourself to have waited long and late one evening for the coming of your husband, and then, in wondering weariness over his non-appearance, to have fallen asleep in your chair and awakened an hour later to find an idiotic, maundering drunkard bending over you, kissing you, choking you with his hot, brandy-polluted breath. You scream and struggle to free yourself."

"'Hush, don't do that. You will alarm the house. And then this man, who has just sense enough left to tumble upstairs and reach the right room, will be disgraced. And he is your heart's innermost idol, your husband. Ah, now you know something of Mrs. Carlton's misery.' Presently she breaks the silence again, with a no less dreary thought.'

frederick what are we to say to your uncle harvey he thinks you have a sick headache let him think exactly what he likes it's of no consequence to me think the truth the sooner he knows it the better for him precious old hypocrite that he is frederick yes hypocrite or anything else that you have a mind to call him but for him i might never have tasted a drop of the cursed stuff that is driving me to ruin

didn't he beguile me years ago with his palaver about not daring to offer a taste of it to most young men but that i was like himself a rare exception

"'I am like himself in being a rare fool. I was a fool to come here. I fought against this thing, Helen, fought it and conquered it, I thought, before I ever knew you. And last night, when he unlocked his bottle of very old wine and offered me a tablespoonful to judge of its quality, I was fool enough to think that I could swallow it and not arouse the demon who almost conquered me five years ago.'

"'Say anything in the world that you have a mind to, Helen. There is nothing that I do not deserve. Only don't quote my Uncle Harvey to me, and don't imagine I care what he thinks. I tell you that he gave me the first drop of wine that ever I tasted. Here was a revelation. That pure-faced, gray-haired man that had seemed to Mrs. Carlton as a saint on earth.'

when she heard him pray she had felt in her heart almost thou persuadest me to be a christian they were not christians these two they had no arm of strength to come to their rescue now at least they did not flee to it for refuge do you think that mr carleton the benevolent and warm-hearted old christian below stairs will be likely to lead either of these two to the shelter of the cross

When the young wife spoke again, it was in a changed and eager tone. She had, in that interval of silence, laid down that feeling of awful gloom that had been enshrouding her. She had recognized life as a warfare, had discovered that those upon whom she had been looking as their best friends were indeed their worst foes.

"'Then, Frederick, let us go from here this very day. I would not stay in temptation another hour. There is a train at twelve o'clock. I can be ready for it. There was a letter from Mama this morning. She is to start for the South three weeks earlier than was planned. That is an excuse enough for us. We can tell your uncle that we hasten our visit on that account, as indeed we really ought to do.'

if you will go i will begin to pack at once come frederick don't let us dally if we have come among enemies instead of friends let us get away from them as quick as possible what would the loving old uncle below stairs have thought of words like these he counted an enemy by his own dear boy the darling of his heart the very apple of his eye

for he loved this young man even as he would have loved a son he stood at the depot two hours later with a somewhat disconsolate face waiting in company with his niece and nephew the coming of the new york train this is a heavy disappointment he said i thought we were sure of you for two weeks more at least helen hasn't had time to decide whether she can like her old uncle or not

yes she had ample time and in the fierceness of her heart quivering as it was under the pain of this new discovery and new foreboding she felt as if she almost hated this honoured old christian fortunately for her he did not wait for any reply but continued with anxious face

"'I don't believe you are well enough to travel, Frederick. You are looking wretchedly pale. Are you subject to these severe attacks? Oh, by the way, I have in my pocket a small bottle of that wine I gave you a taste of last evening. I think if you take a spoonful when you feel these attacks coming on, you will derive benefit from it.' "'Let me take charge of it, Frederick,' his wife said eagerly. "'You have so many things to carry.'

and then the train whistled she is a nice little woman mr carleton senior reflected as he walked away from the depot too much concerned about her husband to think about anything else this morning and i don't wonder how deathly pale fred looked i don't like these peculiar attacks his father was subject to them i never could make them out

well poor fellow i hope that wine will do him good it is a very rare quality i'm glad that he is just the stamp of young man that he is or i wouldn't have offered it to him even for medicine about this time a car window on the new york train was suddenly lifted and a woman's low voice said earnestly shall i frederick and the instant the answer came a low fierce yes

a bottle of rare old port wine flew out of the window the bottle shivered in a hundred pieces and the snow blushed over its contents the book of modern prophets and other sketches by pansy and fay huntington the slibberbox recording is in the public domain muff and the doctor on his way up town mr carleton stopped at the office of his friend bacon

"'Have you seen Dr. Raynor pass your way this afternoon?' he questioned, without taking the proffered chair. "'No. Is anyone sick?' "'Muff has been. She is much better now, but what my wife considers a very important bottle is empty, and Dr. Raynor is the man to fill it. I haven't seen him, but I've heard of him to-day, and if Muff were my baby, he would fill no bottle for her to-night.'

"'Of course he wouldn't. You'd go to that old humbug fogey of a Dr. Jennings instead. The way you do persist in sticking to that old fellow when everybody knows that Dr. Raynor is the best physician in the city is surprising in a man of your sense. He keeps a clear brain, and that is more than can be said of Dr. Raynor.'

"'What an absurd idea! Of all the ridiculous things that envious rivals have said about him yet, that is rather a head. Who has been trying to make you believe such nonsense?' Mr. Bacon tied up the roll of papers he had been filing, locked his desk, and came over to his friend's side. "'Take a seat, Carlton. You can see his carriage from the window when it passes. You have been to his house, I take it?'

yes and his blundering student don't know where he is who's been slandering him now bacon nobody the man who gave me my information was boasting of him and of his ability to drink a strong glass of brandy at a single draught and keep a cool head and steady hand at the same time mr carleton's face clouded over a little and he answered in a graver tone

it is true though i am sorry he uses the stuff a drop of it but at the same time he is the last man whom i should consider in danger he has wonderful control over his nerves and his will

never saw a moderate drinker who hadn't why carlton you know as well as i do that men don't tumble into drunkenness after one glass they walk into it in leisurely fashion keeping wonderful control over their nerves for weeks or months perhaps for years

however it is not dr raynor i am so anxious about he may be one of the few who are going to escape drunkenness for aught i know it is his patients who trouble me whereupon mr carleton laughed muff for instance he said gaily are you afraid that by some mysterious conjuration he will make a drunkard of her

stranger and sadder things than that have happened but i wasn't thinking of her just then rather of several young men whom i know who are always taking tonics prescribed by dr raynor yes mr carleton said with a sigh he does use liquor considerably in his practice if i had a boy i should be very careful and i won't take his prescriptions of that nature myself

i couldn't you know and he knows it but after all we can't trust muff in any other doctor's hands who boasted of his drinking brandy old judge connor said he drank a glass in his presence this afternoon there he goes said mr carleton buttoning his coat as the doctor's carriage passed the window and preparing to follow

i guess i'll go around to the post first now it's got so late and give him a chance to get into his house better get dr jennings to fill your bottle mr bacon said standing on the steps to see his friend off not i he'd fill it with ipecac and cod-liver oil

meantime evening had set in one of those abominable evenings rain and wind and sleet damp dark dismal enough to give one subject to such attacks a genuine fit of the blues

dr raynor felt the penetrating dampness in every nerve he had been out since early morning and had been hurried and worried he was a favorite in the city and people never gave him time for either eating or sleeping in proper fashion

so to-night he was both hungry and tired and his bachelor establishment comfortable enough even elegant had neither slippers nor hot coffee waiting for him such as a wife would have looked after he stood irresolute for a moment in his office after giving his impatient order to the servant i must have something hot in three minutes i don't care what it is

Then he unlocked the corner case and, taking therefrom a bottle and glass, poured a third of a glassful from the bottle and swallowed it. "My head feels unaccountably queer," he told himself immediately after this operation. "I believe I'm going to have one of those villainous colds myself. I've felt like a spinning wheel all the afternoon. That glass of brandy I thought would warm me, but I feel frozen through to the bone to-night.

"'I'll be hanged if the slate isn't full of orders. "'I've a mind to say I won't go out again tonight. "'A doctor can't have a chance even to sneeze a few times. "'Good evening, Mr. Carlton,' "'as the light-haired student ushered that gentleman. "'Now I hope and trust that that precious baby of yours "'hasn't opened its eyes too wide or not wide enough today "'so that I will not have to tramp down there tonight to see about her.'

muff is all right doctor been improving steadily since your call this morning there was a grateful ring in mr carleton's voice muff had been very sick and he knew it she was on the high road to health now and he knew that too and was oh so thankful for it

"'Nothing more formidable than a bottle claims your attention to-night, from me at least. The soothing drops that you left yesterday are gone, and my wife thought you would wish them continued through the night. Oh, yes, it would be as well, perhaps. Let me see, what did I leave?' And he touched the mouth of the bottle to his skillful nose, then tasted of the drop still clinging to its side.'

i see he said turning quickly to his medicine case and pouring small quantities from one phial and another into muff's little bottle talking meantime with his collar don't you wish you were a doctor carleton

Here have I been on the chase since two this morning, and I've got to start right out again as soon as I swallow some dinner, if not before. I've a cold coming on, too. I feel it in every bone in my body, and my head spins round like a top. If I were a bricklayer now, or a hod carrier, I'd be in bed in a jiffy, be taking a sweat and sending one of my children out for some poor wretch of a doctor.'

but as it is i must shiver it through i swallowed two or three spoonfuls of brandy a few minutes ago to see if i could get warmed up but i'm shivering yet something strange in the manner of this always courteous but often grave preoccupied physician suggested itself to mr carleton and reminded him of mr bacon's warning

"'Dr. Raynor had certainly said nothing improper, nothing but what anyone might have said. Only, he rarely talked of himself, never complained, and was nearly always in courteous haste to finish your errand for you and bow you out. "'This is all right, of course,' Mr. Carlton said in a somewhat troubled tone, as the little bottle was finally returned to him.'

"'All right,' repeated the astonished doctor, utterly unused to such inquiries concerning medicines of his preparing. "'Why shouldn't it be?' "'Oh, I don't know, I am sure,' Mr. Carlton answered, with a somewhat embarrassed laugh. "'Don't doctors ever make mistakes like other mortals? I can't speak for the fraternity in general. I only know I never made a mistake in my life.'

his voice was slightly harsh as if he were irritated and mr carleton sorry for his words hastened to ask respectfully any special orders with this doctor give ten drops every two hours whether she sleeps or not whether she sleeps or not dr raynor's manner had suddenly changed his words were brief and cold

up in the nursery the daintiest brightest fairest room in the house in the daintiest of cribs slept the precious little bundle that they called muff carleton the drop gaslight was burning carefully shaded from the baby's face and everything was in order for the night mrs carleton was bending over the crib her skin is just as moist frederick she said as her husband came and stood beside her

and her breathing is perfectly natural and only think how very very sick she was two days ago that blessed doctor i could almost worship him bacon wanted me to go to dr jennings mr carleton said for what in the name of wonder mrs carleton asked with great astonishment in her voice and then mr carleton repeated his conversation with mr bacon his wife laughed softly

mr bacon is really getting to be a monomaniac on that subject isn't he she said the idea of dr raynor not knowing what he was about for that matter i would rather have him if he were half intoxicated than any man i ever saw

"'My dear,' said Mr. Carlton, "'Muff is so much better and sleeps so soundly. Can't you trust her with Maria and get a good night's sleep? You know we have not slept any for three nights.' "'Most of the time she would,' the mother said, "'except when the hour for medicine came. Nobody must give Muff medicine but Mama.' "'Frederick, are you sure he said give it even if she slept?'

it seems so unlike his usual directions yes i am sure her husband told her i have reason to be i half offended him by asking if it was all right and he was very brief and haughty with his directions i was a fool i suppose but bacon made me feel nervous the little clock at the head of the mother's bed softly chimed to with its silver tongue and the listening mother roused herself

"'Can't I go in your place this time?' questioned her husband rather sleepily. "'Oh, no, Muff likes to have me when there is anything to be swallowed, you know, though, for that matter, at twelve she didn't wake in at all, and I had the greatest difficulty in getting her to swallow.' A few moments more, and Mr. Carlton was made wide awake by his wife's loud, alarmed voice. "'Frederick, come here quick!'

what is the matter he asked emerging as speedily as possible from his room i can't get her to swallow at all and she seems stiff and her limbs are getting cold oh frederick she looks as though she was dying i have sent maria to awaken jim but it takes him so long do you think you could go quicker yet even while they spoke the hall door banged little muff was very dear to the heart of jim the errand boy

Dr. Raynor was just ascending the steps of his own house, and he turned at once and obeyed Jim's hurried summons. The aspect of the night had changed. Rain and sleet were over. It was starlight and cold. Dr. Raynor's mood had changed also. Since he saw Mr. Carlton, he had had two hours' sleep, drank two cups of very strong coffee, and rode five miles in the clear, frosty air.

so he entered their house his usual self grave composed courteous one glance at the little white babe in the crib and a sudden pallor overspread his face the next instant he took up the little bottle did you give her this he asked hoarsely

yes regularly only just now at two o'clock i could not force it down her throat though i tried again and again oh doctor what is the matter with her dr raynor for a single instant turned away his face and they did not hear the gasped-out sentence oh god be merciful then he set to work what a night it was how brief and stern were the doctor's orders

hot water mustard spoon hot flannel how silently and rapidly were his orders obeyed father and mother watching in an awful agony of silence what seemed to be the going out of the breath from the little form that was dearer far dearer than their own lives

"'Stealing now and then glances at the doctor's white, rigid face, "'and noting the drops of perspiration on his forehead "'as he knelt beside the crib "'and pried open the closely shut little pearls of teeth, "'and tried to force down now a few drops from this bottle, "'now a few from that, "'but the bottle of soothing drops he had in his overcoat pocket. "'The night wore away. "'There was a grey dawn breaking in the east.'

"'Open the blinds,' the doctor said. He held in one hand a limp little wrist, and in his other his watch. A feeble little sigh the baby gave, then another. The father placed an arm around the poor young mother by his side, and both stared in mute agony at the doctor's face. What did it mean? Was it the last fluttering of the blessed little spirit ere it went up to God?'

maria swiftly and silently opened blinds lifted curtains and let in the dawn the doctor bent over the crib scanned the little face touched the round little cheek with his finger then suddenly dropped the baby hand and wiping the great beads from his forehead said with such intensity as few had ever heard him speak thank god

oh doctor mrs carleton said that afternoon as she wiped the hot thankful tears from her eyes and baby muff lay on her lap white as a snow-wreath and weak as a feather but smiling a faint little smile of recognition whenever her eyes sought her mother's face you have given her back to us from the grave what can we say to you i feel as though i could only say over and over again god bless you

Dr. Raynor turned suddenly away from the little group and paced the floor. Not for a moment had he left the baby yet, but now even he was beginning to breathe freely. He came back after a moment and spoke in low, hoarse tones. "'Mrs. Carlton, I cannot endure these unmerited thanks. You have nothing to thank me for. I have an awful confession to make.'

i am almost the murderer of your child i made a fearful mistake i put into those drops a deadly poison had i come here twenty minutes later or had some other doctor come who would not have comprehended at a glance my awful blunder and so have used just the remedies she would have died as it is it seems to me a miracle has saved her

Now hear my explanation. I had been drinking brandy. I have boasted that I could take it without its affecting my nerves or my brain. I thought I could. I was mistaken. It never affected me before. I suppose I took ten drops too much. I cannot ask you to forgive me. I cannot expect that you will. But in this fearful way have my eyes been opened to see my terrible mistake.'

and in this past fearful night i have taken my resolution i will never touch another drop of intoxicating liquors again so help me god there was a moment of solemn silence then mr carleton laid his hand on the doctor's shoulders we have all been mistaken he said there is no such thing as being fanatics in this matter may god help you even as he has me

and the mother while hot tears dropped on the baby's dress murmured amen miss augusta's triumph

the likeness is as good perhaps as a colourless picture of the human face and form can be yet after all you gather from it very little idea of miss augusta reynolds fascinations

You should have seen her on that New Year's morning to have appreciated her. She was very beautiful. Others besides Mr. Henry Warden knew that. Then she understood all those bewildering and bewitching little accessories of the toilet that have the knack of throwing around very commonplace-looking people a kind of glamour.

so when miss augusta flashed before her guests lips and cheeks all aglow with the sparkle of a thousand delightful thoughts rich brown hair in a perfect bewilderment of frizz and ripple finishing its fascination with one long graceful natural curl falling half-way to her waist

when to all these attractions were added a wonderful silken dress of just that peculiar shade of blue that was created purposely for her dazzling pink and white complexion finished at neck and wrists with soft full foamy laces falling back sufficiently to reveal the delicate finely wrought necklace and bracelets gifts from papa reynolds that very new year's morning

Do you wonder that they, her guests, looked upon her as the very princess of all bewitchments? Ring, ring, ring! Many friends had the Reynolds. At least they had many New Year's calls. To be sure, truth compels us to tell that there came hosts of people who never saw them from one New Year's day to another, whom they never saw at other times, and had no desire to see.

but what of that it was new year's day and people must be social and friendly and forget petty distinctions so the tide came and went half a dozen friends friends at a time bowed themselves in said what a remarkably pleasant day it was what crowds of people were out between the sentences sipped a swallow or two of wine nibbled a crumb or two of cake which thing their souls were beginning to loathe

and rushed madly off lest tom dick or harry should get ahead of them and count up more calls at night than they occasionally there was a lull after their departure sufficiently long for miss augusta to remark what insufferable bores that last set were and miss helen to yawn and wish it was dinner-time and then the bell rang again so much for friendship

Well, the day waned and Miss Augusta was waxing anxious over the non-appearance of one Mr. Warden. Was it possible that he, of all the young gentlemen of their acquaintance, could be going to pass them by? The only one, to state the plain truth, that she honestly cared to see. "'There he is, Augusta!' exclaimed Miss Helen, who was only seventeen and delightfully frank and girlish.

there who is queried miss augusta who was twenty and spoke with a sublime indifference one would think to hear you helen that there was but one gentleman in the world nevertheless her cheek took a pinker tinge as the opening door revealed judge edwards judge harlowe and mr warden

odd taste for the young lawyer to join these two gray-haired judges in making social calls but mr warden was odd about many things not the least among them being the possession of considerable common sense

they said not a word about the weather nor the number of calls that they had made they were even guilty of referring to last evening's lecture and wasted five minutes of the precious day in an animated discussion on the lecturer's theme they begged and entreated that they might be excused from even a nibble of the elegant cake

judge harlowe protesting that he should have the dyspepsia for a week to atone for looking at so many different varieties of spice and fruit and frosting a swallow of wine they would take at least the two judges would in memory of old times and old friendship not that they were in the habit of indulging in that way oh no but then it was new year's and they smiled and sipped the rare old wine as if it were a thing to enjoy

but mr warden courteously gracefully yet positively declined the sparkling goblet judge edwards laughed and regarded the young gentleman with good-humoured amusement as he said

now miss augusta if you succeed in persuading that young man out of his obstinacy you will bear off the palm for we have been everywhere haven't we harlowe and he has resisted with the utmost composure all sorts of bewitching invitations and entreaties miss augusta was piqued such a little thing to deny her in the presence of those gentlemen actually challenging her power over him

meantime the two elder gentlemen turned away and addressed themselves to miss helen and at this particular moment our artist has chosen to give miss augusta reynolds to the world if you notice the picture you will see how bewitchingly the syren bends forward glowing goblet in hand and with what earnest eyes she proffers her petition

"'Mr. Warden, will you not touch your lips to the glass in token of friendship? It is an old and time-honoured custom, you know. If she had known what the odour of that rare old wine was to him, how quickly she would have dashed it from her. As it was, he waved it from him with a repellent gesture, and spoke almost haughtily. It is a custom that is much more highly honoured in the breach than in the observance, in my opinion.'

pardon me miss augusta but it is a matter of principle with me what evil spirit possessed that beautiful tempter at that moment in her heart she was conscious of honouring him nay of being proud of his manhood

and yet judge edwards had sat down again to await the slower movements of his companions and with face turned a little aside was not seeming to notice them but miss augusta saw that he was conscious of every movement though not within sound of their low voices an overwhelming desire to exhibit before this old man her power over the younger one seized upon her and silenced every other feeling

Again she fixed those beautiful pleading eyes on her victim's face, and spoke in soft, low tones.

I never offer wine except on New Year's Day, and never then, very earnestly, to people in general. But I confess to you that I have a little bit of superstition in my veins, and the old fancy of making the wine cup a pledge of future friendship and good wishes possesses me just now. Won't you just touch your lips to the edge, to humor me, you know?'

did she or did she not know that there were moments in which this wise and sensible young man felt that he could throw himself from the edge of a precipice a hundred feet deep just to humour her

One of these insane moments possessed him now. A glow outrivaling the wine overspread his face. He took a dainty silver thing from the fair, outstretched hand, and merely saying, "'You tempt me too severely, Miss Augusta,' raised it to his lips and drained it to the bottom. A low chuckle sounded from Judge Edward's corner. "'Well done, Miss Augusta!'

he said playfully if i were not an old man and a very weary one i'd travel back and give miss cornelia vaughan an account of this victory you should have seen how scornfully this young gentleman resisted her persuasions not an hour ago

a triumphant smile lighted up miss augusta's face miss vaughan was her one annoyance her one rival not only in society but in something that was far more to her than society the attentions of mr warden to have succeeded where she had failed was a double victory

as for mr warden he seemed to have not another word to offer on any subject not even a farewell did he vouchsafe other than a hurried bow then he strode away as if in haste and excitement you consider miss reynolds a heartless unprincipled scheming girl

she was nothing of the sort heartless most certainly she was not she never came in mr warden's vicinity without being almost painfully conscious of that fact her education had been that of a young lady of wealth and fashion her ideas had been modelled after that stamp of the world

on the question of temperance she could hardly be said to have any distinct ideas save of course that drunkenness was a low debasing folly marking the man who was guilty of it as belonging to a lower class of beings not worthy to be admitted to our set

in short she belonged to that large and it would seem almost constantly increasing class of young ladies in fashionable society who while they have brains of their own allow themselves to be treated like puppets and moulded into fashion plates after the generally accepted model

all miss augusta's views concerning the case in question can be gathered from the brief conversation which she held with her sister helen between the calls i wouldn't have done that gussie if i had been you miss helen said with a flash of earnestness in her bright eyes and miss augusta answered while a dreamy smile stole over her face i doubt very much whether you could have done it nellie

that was just all she thought about it to prove her power a glass of wine or a glass of ink it was one and the same to her so that she could prove to herself that what mr warden would not do for others he would do for her mr reynolds senior stamped and brushed and puffed in the hall and rubbed his hands between his spells of divesting himself of muffler and overcoat and snow-shoes

finally he made his appearance in the little gem of a library whither the family had betaken themselves the daughters to rest after the fatigues of the day and to chat with their invalid mother it is a perfect fury of a night he said as they made room for him in the little circle

snow blows always at once apparently absolutely blinding and growing colder every minute but i don't know but the weather is in keeping with the appearance of the people

I haven't seen as many drunken men in a year as I have to-night. It's sickening. I declare I don't know about this New Year business. I've half a mind to banish the wine from my table just for the sake of the fools who cannot let it alone. Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Allen treated us to hot coffee in the place of it, and the idea seemed to suit just as well. But it looks so queer!'

murmured the pale-faced mother, whose grown-up son was making a fool of himself in a downtown saloon.

Yes, I know it's queer, but I've been astonished tonight. Respectable people, men whom you would imagine to be above such folly, seem to forget themselves entirely on New Year's Day. Why, who do you think they carried home from Harder's drinking saloon in an absolutely beastly condition? Young warden, the lawyer that everybody considers such a remarkably talented young man. I never was so astonished in my life. A

augusta what in the world is the matter with you you're as pale as a ghost i guess the day's work has been too much for you will you have some wine almost inaudible was miss augusta's refusal and her good-nights were said almost immediately there were some hot tears shed that night

although miss reynolds did not in the least object to wine she in common with many others had no admiration for common drunkards who were carried home from saloons in beastly conditions

with the morning however came quieter thoughts her idol had fallen to be sure but it was only once his temptations must have been great and peculiar it would not be likely to occur again especially as she would certainly take pains to show her displeasure so when she met him on broadway in the afternoon wearing a ghastly haggard face

she ignored his existence until the very last moment and then passed him with one of those intensely frigid bows that were the nearest approach to no recognition at all that polite people allow themselves to be guilty of

he did not call during the evening as she had hoped he would in his misery and on the thursday succeeding new year's she concluded his punishment had been severe enough and wrote him the daintiest of little notes on gracefully initialed delicately perfumed paper

will mr warden give us the pleasure of his company at dinner this evening at seven o'clock to meet a few particular friends very informally and oblige his friend augusta l reynolds in an hour after sending it she received the following hurriedly written response miss reynolds i must beg to decline your invitation to dinner

Since you have given me an opportunity to address you again, I have a few plain words to speak. Perhaps you may be interested to know that the only inheritance my father left me was the almost unconquerable appetite of a drunkard. You probably know that last New Year's evening I was drunk. I use plain language.

I am aware that it would be more graceful to say intoxicated, but I am in no mood to pick my words or hunt up smooth-sounding language with which to describe the awful crime. Plainly, then, I was drunk, hopelessly, unfashionably so. It is not the first time. I have known what it is to roll in a gutter and spend nights in the lock-up.

Five years ago I made a resolution to reform. I signed a total abstinence pledge. I never from that day have tasted a drop of the cursed fire in any form until you, on New Year's Day, with the face and voice of an angel, tempted me to my ruin. If it is any satisfaction to you to know it, I may as well tell you that I believe no other human being could have had this power over me.

that you were more to me then than the whole world combined, more even, God forgive me, than my solemn pledge wherein I called on him for aid. Perhaps you can have some faint idea of how strangely it struck me that the only one that could have tempted me back into the drunkard's hell on earth was the one who was the first, and I may add, the only person to cut my acquaintance.

it seems you have repented so have i i never want to see you again i might say i never dare to you wield too awful a power over me and you do not scruple to use it i am going away from this place i have dissolved my business connection i hope never to return here god only knows whether the demon once more aroused within me will ever be exorcised this side of the grave

i have fought it day and night since i saw you last and to fight it more successfully i want to put miles between you and me i am glad of this opportunity to speak a word of pity in behalf of young men in general you will consider mine an exceptional case you do not know men as well as i do you do not know how many hundreds just such exceptional cases there are in this very city

besides if there were but one poor wretch here and there in danger how are you ever going to know but it is to such an one you are sweetly holding out the fatal cup i implore you not to ruin others if i have written harshly may god forgive me only he knows what i suffer good-bye henry d warden

It is confidently reported in their set that Miss Augusta Reynolds is not going to set wine before her guests on this coming New Year's Day.

O wad some power the gifty gee us To see ourselves as others see us, It wad fry many a blunder free us And foolish notion.

"'He is a very earnest-spoken man,' son-in-law Willard's minister is. "'I like nothing better than to be in my armchair in the back parlor when he comes in of an evening. "'He does seem so full of life and courage-like, "'and he's always powerful full of the particular thing that he has on hand to do just then. "'He half makes folks think that there ain't anything else in the world worth tending to "'until that has been done and got out of the way.'

I like them kind of folks. They most take your breath away sometimes, especially when you are over 70 and getting used to moving kind of slow. But after all, them are the kind of people that get the work done. And when they do it with a will, they always make me think of St. Paul and his one thing I do.

Generally speaking, I managed to keep somewhere in sight of Dr. Mather's ideas—that's the minister's name—and feel like saying amen to Amal. But the other evening, when he got going on the temperance question, I'm free to confess that I thought he'd gone off on a tangent and was straining at a gnat, though I couldn't think of any camel he'd been trying to swallow."

I never did think anybody could get ahead of me in talking about temperance, and I'd brought up my boy and my girls to go the whole length of the string, and I always thought they did, and their husbands with them. But this was a new idea. It sort of staggered son-in-law Willard, too. He shook his head and says he, "'I can't see it in that light, Dr. Mather.'

"'The time is coming when you will,' says Dr. Mather, all earnest-like. "'Temperance men have got to come round to that standpoint, and there's been a very great advance on that very subject within a few years. The churches are coming up to it. I hope our church will not be far behind. I believe,' says son-in-law, "'that the Lord can take care of his own.' "'No doubt of it,' says Dr. Mather, very quick.'

"'No doubt of it. "'But the Lord has taught us to pray, "'lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. "'And the question is, if we walk right into temptation "'with our eyes open and do not seek to be delivered "'from the evils around us, "'whether the Lord has made any promise "'that he will pull us out?' "'Says I, for I couldn't keep still any longer. "'What can the churches do? "'Do you think they ought to give up observing the communion?'

Dr. Mather turned to me right away. He must have a wonderful good mother, for he acts as if he never laid eyes on an old woman but what he thought of his own mother, and he speaks so gentle and respectful as if I was a queen. By no means, dear madame, says he, I would never have our churches slight the Lord's command do this in remembrance of me.

but i would have her use for the emblem of his precious blood something that is strength-giving in its nature and not that which is the greatest weapon of death and misery and eternal destruction that we have in our midst but our saviour drank the wine and blessed it says i yes he did but do you imagine it was the same kind of poison that we use nowadays and that it was to hundreds and thousands a curse and a fearful snare

i believe in the kind of wine that i think the saviour used but i don't believe that it is essential to the proper celebration of the lord's supper any more than i believe that reclining on couches while we partake of it is essential our saviour did that you know but it wasn't that that he told them to do in remembrance of him says i seeing that son-in-law kept silent and seemed to kind of expect me to speak

I don't know, says Dr. Mather. You see, it seems to me like this. Our Savior sat with his disciples at table partaking of an ordinary meal. With them, in that land of grapes, the pure juice of the grape was in common use. It was to them a symbol of health and purity, as water is with us today. And our Savior casting about him for some simple token of remembrance to give them,

took the everyday elements of food bread and wine just as i believe he would have done had their ordinary drink been pure water we don't think he meant when you meet to remember this ordinance you must wear long flowing robes as i do you must remove your sandals and wash your feet as i have done you must recline on couches as i do

nothing of the sort we understand that our sympathetic saviour comprehending the weakness of our human nature gave us a simple token connected with our everyday life that could be used in remembrance of him it sounded reasonable and yet when i thought of using anything but wine at the communion table in spite of me it seemed kind of wicked

"'What do you want folks to use?' I asked him, for I thought I might as well learn all I could.'

Well, he said, I think eventually people will take pure cold water as an emblem of their faith. I hope to live to see the day when such will be the universal custom in the Church of Christ. But in the meantime, until that good day arrives, I am prepared to compromise. I want my church to join with me in procuring the pure, unfermented, and therefore unintoxicating wine that is now prepared expressly for this use."

I'm sorry that our communion occurs next Sabbath. I did hope never to set poison before our young men again. Why, Mr. Willard, only think of it, you and I working with all our might against wine during the intervening two months, and then, as pastor and officer, distributing it to our people as the emblem of all that is holy and blessed in our religion. Don't you think we must appear very inconsistent to lookers-on?'

but son-in-law only shook his head. "'I confess I can't see it in the light that you do,' says he. "'It's a new thing to me. Perhaps I shall change my mind, but just now I must say I like to make the communion season the one occasion on which I make use of wine. I like to think I am using the very article our Savior used when he instituted the supper.'

which you are not doing at all says dr mather with a very up-and-down kind of voice you are only using a vile mixture of half a dozen or more poisons and calling them by the same name what's the objection to unfermented wines mr willard well says son-in-law speaking slow

i don't know that i'm right about it but it seems to me like making a parade of goodness making an unnecessary scene and going to a great deal of trouble to do an unnecessary thing because i can't help believing that if a man conscientiously tastes wines at such times only the lord will take care of him brother willard if you were a reformed drunkard would you dare say it

I declare to you, our minister's voice sounded awful solemn when he said that. I don't know, says son-in-law after a little while. I don't know, I can't tell. But even then, Dr. Mather, even under such circumstances, don't you believe if I was sincere, the Lord would help me?

i believe the lord would honor your sincere attempt to keep out of temptation by letting communion wine alone but whether he would work a miracle in your behalf every two months by enabling you to take then what would be deadly to you at any other time i am not prepared to say at least if you were a reformed drunkard i wouldn't like to be the one to pass the wine to you next sabbath but i didn't come to deliver a temperance lecture

says he getting up with a little laugh only to make a short call and to set your mind at work on the subject i'm a temperance man out and out says son-in-law and i thought i could go so far as anybody but i must say you've got a little ahead of me perhaps i shall come round to it but i don't think i shall i know you will says dr mather shaking hands with him as hearty as if it had been his brother

"'I know you will, brother. I haven't the least doubt of it. The Lord will show you just where you ought to stand. And Mother here will pray for us all, that we may be truly led of Him and not walk in our own ways.' And with that he got hold of my old hand and shook it warm and hearty and went away. We sat up and talked a bit after he was gone. Son-in-law and I agreed pretty well.'

i don't like any change said he and i can't think it necessary my mother and father drank wine at communion for fifty years and they are both in heaven to-night it may be foolish but it seems to me i should like to have that one thing left unchanged as long as there is a church on earth

"'I feel about so,' says I. My John and I sat down to the Lord's Supper together so many times, and now he drinks it in his father's house, and it does seem to me as if I shouldn't feel as if it was communion if they changed things around. And as for the wine that won't intoxicate, I feel as though it would make room for a good deal of talk, and not be necessary, for two or three drops won't intoxicate anybody.'

and there we two old children sat and talked about our feelings as if they was all that was important anyhow and duty hadn't a word to say about it the next sunday was about the prettiest day ever i see it was in the spring of the year the first sunday in may and the robins were singing and the air was full of the smell of buds and fresh earth and a few posies and all kinds of spring things

We were a very happy family that Sunday. John Willard was at home for the first time in five years.'

"'John Willard is my grandson. He was named for his grandfather, and he went wrong when he was nothing but a boy, and he had been a sore grief and pain. But he had got right again, and had been a man since then, and done well in his business, and in his character, and every way, and now he had come home to see us after five years, and we were all going to church together.'

"'Grandma,' says he, as we were all going down the steps, "'you must take my arm today. Father can't have all the honor.' And so he helped me along the street, pretending to be proud of having his old grandmother lean on him, and I don't know as there was any pretend about it. If it is, my children and grandchildren keep it up a good while, and they are regular about it."

He sat beside me in the pew, and I enjoyed the meeting. Dr. Mather's words seemed particularly good that day, and everything seemed so bright and sweet and still, and the smell of the white posies on the table didn't do no hurt. One thing made me sorry. I didn't know, but I kind of hoped our John had lately got to be a child of the kingdom.'

I watched to see if he would eat at the father's table, but he passed the cup to me very quick, as if he was in a hurry to have it all over with, and he didn't look comfortable and happy, but as if he was out of sorts with everything. I felt very sorry for him, poor lamb, at the very gate of his father's house where there was food enough and to spare, and he staying outside, and I make no doubt feeling hungry."

I asked the Lord to give me a chance to speak a word to the dear boy that very day, if he could, and he arranged it for me beautiful. Daughter Sarah, she had a quick headache and was lying down, and son-in-law was in and out of her room doing for her, and Helen, she hadn't got home from her afternoon class, so there was a spell that John and I were all alone.

I kind of hoped that he would come and cuddle down on a stool and lay his head on my lap as he used to do before he went away, but he did not seem quiet enough for that. He took to walking up and down the room and looking sober. I thought maybe the Lord himself was speaking a word to him, so I kept still a while. By and by, I said softly,

Did it seem nice, John, to be back in the old church once more, and have father and mother in their places, and Helen in the choir, just as she used to be? He answered me quite quick and sharp-like, Grandmother, it didn't seem nice at all, and if I'd known what Sunday it was, I'd not gone inside the church, not I. What Sunday it was, says I, all scared and fluttered,

"'Why, what does the poor daft laddie mean? It was a beautiful Sunday. I mean, if I'd known it was what you call your communion Sunday. And, Grandmother, I don't understand how good people like Father and other men that I saw there to-day do so wicked a thing as to pass around that cup full of poison.' "'Poor lamb,' says I, "'if you only knew what it made us think of, the shed blood of our Saviour!'

If you only knew what it made me think of.

"'says he, speaking very stern and harsh, "'of rum-holes and street brawls and drunken sleeps in gutters "'and crime and horrors of all sorts. "'I know all about it. "'I've slept in a gutter, grandmother, young as I am. "'I've been to the bottom of misery, lower than you think, "'and I've crawled out and tried to become a man. "'I've made a vow that I never would touch, taste, "'nor handle the cursed thing again.'

that i would keep away from places where it was to be seen or smelled as i would from pest-houses and to think that i should have to pass it to my own mother that i should have to sit still and see my father passing the emblem of death to those young boys in the seat in front of us i wish he had any idea of how terrible it looked to me oh i shall have to flee the church i see as well as hotels and saloons and fashionable parties

"'Why, Grandmother, much as I hate the serpent that ruined me, I could cling to it yet. I could have taken that cup and drank every drop in it, and when the smell of it whiffed up into my face, I had precious hard work not to do it. You see, it will never do for me to be a Christian. I shall have to remain with the goats outside, because I can't stand the awful temptation with which you good Christian people assail a man.'

He almost took my breath away. He spoke so loud and fast. I felt dumbfounded. I didn't seem to know a word to say. But the door into the next room was open, and it seems that son-in-law Willard had come in a spell before and sat down there. Just then he came out. He looked awful pale, but he walked straight up to John, who had stopped tramping back and forth and stood looking out of the window.

He laid his hand on John's arm, and says he, I see it all, John, as plain as day. When the thing comes right home to my own boy, it opens my eyes right away, and I can see that I've been mistaken. I'll never do it again, my son, never. Your own father won't put temptation before you, either in the church or out of it.

and I found that my feelings had all got changed too, and that was the way that son-in-law Willard came over so sudden to the minister's side.

and that's the reason why, when I am visiting at my son John Porter's and go to church with them on Communion Sunday, when the wine is passed to me, I shut my lips tight, and I pray the Lord to open the eyes of that dear people of his, quick, before any poor lamb is tempted so that he can't bear it. Because, you see, there may be a good many boys like our John. End of section 17.

section eighteen of modern prophets and other sketches by pansy and faye huntington this librivox recording is in the public domain stamp on it this boy's name is johnnie wilder and he certainly has a name that fits him exactly for a wilder boy of his age would be hard to find

He is tall for his age, and rather wise-looking, but he is really only a few years old, and whether he is wise acting or not can be judged by reading this history. He is never content with the army of playthings, such as kites and balls and sleds and drums, that reasonable boys delight in, but is forever on the lookout for something new and strange and queer to play with.

on this particular day of which i write his hopes had centred on a box of matches now of all horrid things to play with one would think these were the worst why their very smell is enough to make one sick not so thought johnnie wilder the match-box had been carelessly left on a chair by the great and he had the room to himself so he decided to experiment

fizz went one of the matches on the hot grate and johnny laid it cautiously down upon the carpet he had no intention of setting the house on fire not he he meant to be very careful it sputtered a little and smoldered a little and finally went out i don't believe carpets will burn

said this philosopher wisely they're too woolly i might as well light a good many of these matches and get a good blaze i'll blow it with the bellows as mother does and it will be real fun and when the matches are burned up the fire will go out i know it will no sooner said than done johnny emptied the whole box full out on the carpet and lighted one at the grate and laid it carefully on the pile

It was fine fun, of course. They snapped and sputtered and blazed, and Johnny giggled and blew little puffs at them with his bellows, and fed the flame with bits of paper from his pocket, and was so excited and happy that he did not discover that the carpet, woolly though it was, had been coaxed into burning, and there was fast getting to be a royal flame.'

Alas for Johnny and Johnny's home, if someone wiser than he does not come to his rescue. At that moment two doors opened from opposite directions. Johnny's mother, brush in hand, came from the kitchen to brush up the hearth and tidy the room, and Johnny's father came from the hall to rest himself a few minutes before dinner. What a look of horror there was on that mother's face!

"'Fire! They're pretty little home in danger! Johnny in danger!' She was very quick to think and speak. "'Stamp on it, John!' were the eager words that came instantly to mind, and almost before they were spoken, the father's great strong foot was stamping vigorously on the floor, smothering it, crushing it out, and leaving a smoking black hole, it is true, but that was better than a flame.'

Such a lecture as Johnny had! How he was shut up in the bedroom for an hour! How he cried! How fully he was convinced that it was a very bad thing to light even one match to play with! At the dinner table that day, the story was told to Uncle Henry who was visiting them, and to Fred Wilder, the oldest son of the house.

told with many shakings of the head at poor little shame-faced johnny who after all was only thoughtless and ignorant and had intended no harm and fred laughed and said what will that boy do next mother then in the same breath as he passed his glass a little more wine if you please father

and while his father composedly filled the glass mother feeling sorry for very red-faced little johnny helped him to a large brandy peach with a liberal supply of juice to comfort him

I was thoroughly frightened, Mr. Wilder said. Why, houses have been burned to the ground many a time with less of a start than this one had. I don't believe I should have had presence of mind enough to know what to do if Jane hadn't spoken as she did. Stamp on it, John, she screamed, the minute she saw the fire, and that was what saved us. Uncle Henry glanced from father to mother significantly.

"'Will no one say it now?' he asked earnestly. "'What?' said Mr. Wilder, laying down his fork and looking at his brother-in-law. "'This fire and this one,' said Uncle Henry, pointing first to the glass of wine and then to the brandy peach. "'Haven't bodies and souls been lost many a time with less of a start than this?' "'Oh,' said Mr. Wilder coolly, "'you and I don't agree on that point, you know.'

The fire will burn all the same, though, whether we both agree that it is going to or not. I don't see any signs of danger, Mrs. Wilder said sharply. No, and I haven't an idea that Johnny did. I don't suppose the carpet caught fire at first. It didn't, Johnny answered eagerly, understanding about the carpet and nothing else.

the matches burned and burned and the carpet didn't a bit i thought it wouldn't because it was woolly and i didn't see it begin at all i suppose not answered uncle henry

"'But, I tell you what it is, I've seen fires begin and go on to the bitter end, "'burning up both body and soul, and the beginning was much smaller than that peach on Johnny's plate. "'And if there had only been somebody to say, "'Stamp on it, John,' and somebody to see the danger and obey, souls could have been saved.'"

johnny looked soberly down at his peach in innocent wonder but john the elder understood and said shortly i ain't afraid neither was johnny if he had been the mischief would never have been done no said johnny bent on proving himself innocent i wasn't afraid cause i thought it wasn't any harm i didn't know that it would make a big black hole

"'Do you mean to say that you think there is any parallel?' his father asked, speaking almost angrily. "'No,' answered Uncle Henry solemnly. "'I can hardly call it one, because if you had not been there to promptly stamp the fire, Johnny's body, it is true, would have been burned, whereas in this other fire the poor souls are only more utterly blackened and ruined than the bodies.'

meantime fred wilder had drained his glass and left the table with a contemptuous face and uncle henry sadly pondered whether it were not even now too late to stamp on the fire kindled in his brain and also marvelled over the strange world in which he lived and the strange man with whom he had been talking who could grow so excited over johnny's little fire of matches to burn the carpet and house

and yet could deliberately with his own hand light the torch and feed the flame that was likely to burn on and on until it reached that point where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched and of section eighteen section nineteen of modern prophets and other sketches by pansy and fay huntington this librivox recording is in the public domain not for sale

such a little cosy breakfast-room as it was clean and sweet and shining the polished stove shone like a mirror the coffee-pot glistened while it sent up puffs of delicious-smelling steam the table was set for two and a half that is you might so estimate the number it was a little table but there were two good-sized stoneware plates laid on the crisp clean table-cloth

one opposite the other but midway between the two there was a tidy bright tin plate lettered all around the edge by its side a very shiny tin mug and near at hand a high wooden chair father and mother and a piece of man or woman you would have said were going to sit down presently at that table they thought differently mr and mrs burns

father and mother yes they would have agreed with you in that very pleasant happy-looking people but the rosy-lipped bright-eyed wondering morsel that father burns carries in his arms means all the rest of the world to them at least all that is worth making mention of

they came in just now to the waiting breakfast it is early morning yet but these two are hard-working people and have not even waited for the prompt and business-like sun to set them an example in the day's race breakfast has been waiting some minutes while mr burns put some vigorous strokes into the obstinate stump of wood that he meant should do the day's baking

Then there were his hands to wash and the boy to lift down from his perch on the wood pile. First the strap must be untied that kept him from traveling too far in any direction. Then father must set him on his feet and stand back about two inches, until the mother should see baby give his prodigious jump into his father's arms. Then all went in triumph to the table.

"'George,' said Mrs. Burns as she passed her husband his cup of coffee, "'isn't next Tuesday election?' "'Next Tuesday week,' George answered, feeding the morsel with bits of bread dipped in milk. "'Pretty soon the boy will be going to the polls to vote his ticket. What do you think of that, mother?' "'I hope he'll vote for the right man,' said the smiling mother.'

ay that he will you'll drop the ticket in the right place won't you my man da da da said the young america thus addressed making a vigorous dash after the butter-plate as if it were an unscrupulous office-seeker mrs jones says continued the little mother that john dix and henry wilson are both going to vote for esquire peters

the admiring look with which mr burns was regarding his son faded from his face his brow clouded he took several bites of bread-and-butter in stern silence then they are going to vote against their own bodies and souls to say nothing of their children he said at last in grave firm tones i can't believe it of them they've both been through too much to turn their backs on themselves in that fashion

but esq peters has influence you know and money and all that mrs jones says they say they've got to so they can keep their places what of it answered mr burns still sternly

what if he has got money they've got heads and brains why don't they use them if i was a man i'd be one and not be a machine to be wound up and set going by esquire peters or any other man mrs burns took a swallow of coffee with eyes meanwhile bent thoughtfully on her husband then she said it will bother you in your business some won't it george not to vote for him

it was surprising what a very stern look could come into mr burns's clear eyes he raised them slowly from his plate and fixed them on his wife and his voice also was stern as he asked in slow measured tones jane is it possible you would have me vote for mr peters

the boy puckered his lips at the strange voice and was half inclined to cry but in his mother's voice there was a sound very like a chuckle of triumph as she answered him never george never

and then the thoughts of both went suddenly back to a time not so very far distant when that same bright room in which they sat looked so utterly unlike its present self that you never would have imagined it to be the same it had been a drunkard's home

mrs burns shivered as she thought of those days of misery when there had been no brightness to the old cracked stove no cloth for the three-legged table leaning against the wall only old rags and rimless hats in the now clear-paned window nothing but poverty and degradation nothing to look forward to but a drunken husband staggering home from the miserable grog-shop where he had spent his earnings

an old story old enough and often enough repeated in story and in reality but not so old that mrs burns had forgotten just how it had been to live it vote for esquire peters when they knew it made little difference to him how many such miserable mockeries of home there were nor how much he did for the manufacture of such homes

not that she was afraid for her husband oh no she knew in whose strong arm he trusted but weren't there other husbands and brothers and sons all around them and then there was the boy should they do anything in the most remote degree to help on the foe that might some day come to ruin him even as it had well-nigh ruined his father

and at this point she repeated with stronger emphasis than before never never an hour later george burns was at work at his forge making the hot sparks fly right and left

he liked that work there was such luxury in bringing down the full force of his strong brawny arm on the anvil and remembering the time when it was so weak it could hardly lift the hammer and trembled like a child's

down the street in the direction of his shop came esq peters a tall well-dressed gentleman two companions with him their business all three that of becoming in a sense not meant by st paul all things to all men for was not election day near at hand and was not esq peters running for office

mr burns saw them and pounded away with greater vigour than before nor stopped until they were close upon him esquire peters at his side smiling and cordial holding out his hand to the honest coal-begrimed one in friendly greeting much they hindered george burns that morning several times he wondered if their business could be more important than his was and if they were ever coming to the point

still they talked of the best method of horse-shoeing of how superior every one knew mr burns's work was in that line as in all others connected with his business until after election said mr burns to himself grimly and answered nothing finally in esq peter's blandest tone i suppose you are prepared to do your duty by your country in the coming struggle

i mean to try to answered george with a firm set of his lips and esquire peter's tones grew smoother still i've no doubt of it you have always had that name in the past now be it known that the sturdy blacksmith had had no such name in the days of his darkness and he remembered it well

so he set his lips more firmly and made no answer and esquire peters plunged into the main object of his call of course you will remember an old friend in your vote i believe you and i have always been good friends george i can count on your name can't i i don't know about that said george burns sturdily

there is such a thing as liking people well enough and not liking their principles nor helping them along your principles and mine on some things wouldn't be alike esquire peters oh i don't know i don't know we may agree better than you think

perhaps we don't fully understand each other the fact is george i have always thought a good deal of you i'm glad you're doing so well in your business and i'm anxious to help you along

We ought to help each other in this world as much as we can, you know. Now, I have one or two friends who have, in the course of a year, a great deal of business that they could throw into your hands. I've been writing to them about you, and I have their answer here. Just look at it, Mr. Burns. You see at once what they pledge themselves to do, and all we ask in return is your vote in the coming election."

whereupon esq peters handed the blacksmith an open letter and one of his companions dropped a word of assistance you haven't given mr burns his invitation

oh surely no it almost slipped my mind mr burns i expect to entertain a few of my friends at riley's hotel this evening and we count upon you as one of the number we shall have plenty of good wine and brandy mean to have a good time generally may we expect you

the red blood rose slowly in george burns's face mounted up to his very hair and his eyes gathered tenfold their morning sternness he slowly folded the letter and handed it back to esquire peters speaking meantime with great deliberation

"'I'm not for sale, sir. You've mistaken your man. I hold that I'm a free citizen, that I have as much right to choose the men I mean to vote for as you have, and that it is as much of a disgrace for you to try to buy my conscience as it would be for me to try to buy yours. I didn't mean to vote for you, Esquire Peters, because you uphold the thing that almost ruined me, body and soul.'

i don't vote for any man who don't go with all his might against rum i can't as a christian as a man who has a boy at home to be saved

And if I had meant to vote for you, after this talk I'd take it back ten times over, because I hold that you've done two mean things since you stood here. You have tried to buy my vote with the promise of more work, and that's mean enough, but it's twenty-five times meaner to try to buy me with brandy, try to ruin me body and soul. You know what I've been. I'm a reformed drunkard, that's what I am.

I sold myself for rum once, but I've been brought back and I'm not for sale again. I mean to vote like a man, not like a piece of furniture that can be bought at a bargain. No, sir, I couldn't vote for you if I knew you would ruin my trade and bring me to beggary if I didn't.

i don't know but you will but that has nothing to do with the question i can stand beggary i've been there once for the sake of rum and i reckon it won't be any harder to bear for the sake of conscience them's my sentiments no sir i'm not for sale

and the sturdy blacksmith turned again to his pounding. A dozen times during this address of his had the amazed Esquire Peters attempted to interrupt him, but his voice had grown firmer and stronger with every sentence, and the instant he ceased the blows began to fall on the anvil thick and fast, and the

And the louder Esquire Peters tried to talk, the more tremendously did that ponderous hammer come down, until words and courage were drowned in the noise, and honest George Burns was left alone in his manliness.

great broad-shouldered roguish-looking mike irish from the crown of his curly red head to the soles of his bare feet there he sat of a summer morning among the reeds and grasses bare feet tucked under him leaning on his doubled-up fists looking down into the still cool smiling water mike's white teeth gleamed and his eyes danced with delight something pleasant had occurred to him

it's me very own too he chuckled and that's the best of it faith and i'd like to see the body that owned a shinier one got a frame too all green and pretty wouldn't me father have a time of it a tryin to smash this one with his fist

sure and he might double it up and pound with all his might and it would just laugh back at him mike's got a looking-glass this time that it will be rather hard to break and he'd have a bit of trouble about lugging it to the corner to swap for whisky sure and i'm ahead of him this time

whereupon mike donovan laughed outright and leaned farther over to get another view of his broad freckled face in the clear stream ere he retraced his steps to the donovan mansion

This was a sort that has been seen so many times that it hardly needs much description. A low, two-roomed hovel, with old hats and old rags in place of window-glass, a wreck of a stove in one corner choking the air with smoke, rickety chairs, a more rickety table, and a heap of ill-smelling rags called a bed.

a drunkard's home common enough places in this free american country of ours so common and so well approved that cultured christian gentlemen vote to perpetuate them poor mike donovan didn't know this or he would hardly have struggled so hard to become a gentleman for he hated rum with the hatred of one who has been stung with its poisonous fangs

there was an old shed back of this delightful abode wherein mike slept and hid his treasures once he had possessed a shilling looking-glass the gift of a good-hearted pedlar which gift had been mike's pride and joy he had spent hours in admiring the lovely contortions into which he could twist his broad red face he had made his glass reflect the sky and the grass and the trees

indeed i don't think i can make you understand what a comfort the bit of glass was to this comfortless friendless boy because you probably have many valuables and he had just this one but one luckless day it came to grief

he had neglected to hide it under the straw in the corner where he slept and his father being seized with overpowering thirst looked about him for something with which to quench that thirst and in another hour the treasured glass had been swallowed that is figuratively speaking

booty who kept the corner rum-hole could have told you about it he carried on his respectable business and took his pay in looking-glasses or bibles or bread anything that came handy it made no difference to booty he had a license of course it was all right

Poor Mike! Loud and bitter were his lamentations, but that was some months ago. Times had changed since that day. He had another treasure now, a smooth, white paper with a bright red border, and the paper certified that Michael Donovan was a member of the Society of Safe Guards, and their pledge was strong—to touch not, taste not, handle not—and

It was a quiet little society. The Mr. Booties of the village sneered at it. The aristocratic portion of the town smiled loftily and called it child's play, or else shook their aristocratic heads and said children should not be allowed to trifle with so sacred a thing as a pledge, and solemnly sipped their wines.

still the society moved quietly softly firmly on its way and very proud was mike to be enrolled as a member of the guards another delight had just come to him in the discovery of a grand looking-glass not a dozen rods from his own door the great clear smiling lake that showed him his face and imitated every movement more faithfully than the bit of shilling glass had ever done

No wonder he chuckled. He seemed to himself to have found another friend. It was the very next morning, after his discovery, that he was chopping up a bit of the garden fence for wood, when he heard his father grumbling, with that delicious unconsciousness of having brought his troubles on himself, that people of his stamp were apt to possess. A fellow might break his neck in this house, with no chance to look in the glass to fix it.

i've got a stick in me eye i know i have by the feel of it and never a way to find out or to keep it from working through to me brain and so killing me and it's little anybody cares if i should do that same anyhow and me with me eye black and blue for the want of a sight at it mike paused with his axe in the air and thought a minute then dropped it suddenly with a low chuckle i'll just give him a peek at himself in a hurry

He giggled as he burst into the main room. "'Father, it's me that's got a jewel of a looking-glass. If you'll come with me a bit, I'll give you a sight of yourself as is worth seeing.' Mike Donovan Sr. gave him an incredulous stare. "'You got another glass?' he said at last. "'I don't believe it. It's just some of your stuff and nonsense. If you've got one, bring it here.'

indeed then i'll not do that same i'll kape no more o me looking-glasses in the house you know yourself that it's not safe for em but i'll give you a sight at it if you'll come with me for a bit by dint of a little further coaxing he prevailed on this aimless man to hunt up his ragged hat and follow the steps of his eager son in search of the new looking-glass

brimming with mischief mike bounded over the grassy slope that led to the shore and finally turned his triumphant face to his father there now what did i tell you did ever you see the likes of that for a glass you can see every hair of your head standing up by themselves and count em too then he waited for his father's outburst of mirth or wrath whichever way the whim of the moment seized him

but mike the elder was neither angry nor mirthful other thoughts had taken possession of him he stood looking down into the clear shining water with a grave thoughtful face what a red-nosed blear-eyed ragged forlorn-looking wretched revealed to him he could remember the time when he was called the neatest most respectable-looking young irishman in the town in those days he worked well and faithfully

had his wages regularly of a saturday night and looked trim and fresh every sunday morning times had changed since then to be sure who thought of trusting drunken mike to do a piece of work nowadays it was long since he had taken a quiet sober look at himself and the effect was subduing

something in his father's face kept the young mike silent until the poor old fellow spoke slowly and meditatively still looking steadily into the water

"'Mike, my boy, I'm glad you hate the old villain of a whiskey bottle. I'm right glad of it. There's a difference in our looks, to be sure, though I was likely enough once. Your mother will tell you that. But the old serpent got hold of me, and a poor piece of work he has made of me. You let it alone, and you'll never come to look like your father.' "'Why don't you hate it too, father?'

mike questioned in subdued half-tremulous tones this matter lay very near his heart ah it's meself that wishes i could do that same but it's no use to talk o that there's no getting away from that old baste he's got me fast who'd believe old drunken mike was in earnest if he tried ever so hard young mike carried a sober face around with him the rest of the day

considerable wood was split, but very little whistling done, and in the middle of the afternoon he suddenly dropped his axe, seized his jacket, and whisked out of Mr. Smith's back yard, around the corner, down to the public square, where he threaded his way among the wagons and people, elbowed himself through the long, handsome store, and by means best known to himself, managed presently to stand before Mr. Smith.'

that gentleman glanced up from his columns of figures with a far-away look in his eyes his thoughts evidently still on his work well mike he said wood all split already no sir but me father wants to reform

this sudden announcement might have been joyful news to mr smith if he had been less acquainted with the character of the said father but unfortunately he was thoroughly posted as to the resolutions of mike donovan senior and had about as much faith in them as he would have had if they had been made of air

A less noble-hearted man than Mr. Smith would have laughed contemptuously and worked on at his figures, but Mr. Smith answered promptly, "'Is that so, my boy? Then you and I must help him.' "'Yes, sir,' said Mike simply. It is a great compliment to a man when a boy as sharp as Mike Donovan was says, "'Yes, sir,' and waits for the thing to be done.'

well for mike that mr smith still believed in the seventy times seven rule of action and though his faith might be weak yet he still had enough of it to say to himself who knows after all but that this is god's time to work and he may have called me to help him

behold old drunken mike as he was familiarly called installed the very next morning in the grand corner store for what purpose it would have been difficult for the owner of it to tell mike's brains were too muddled with rum to be good for anything at carrying messages or goods even if it had been safe to allow him to pass the rum holes in which the aristocratic town abounded

his hands were too shaky to do any of the porter's work and he was much too ridiculous looking an object to be placed behind the counter it was a question that puzzled mr smith all day how to employ a man who was able to do none of his work and who longed for nothing so much as a chance to go and get drunk

for truth to tell old mike's desires after reformation never very strong at the best were considerably fainter than they had been while he stood surveying himself in his son's looking-glass now i wish i had the space to tell you of the bewildering times that these two people had for the next few weeks the employer and the employed i hardly know which was the most in need of pity

of the times in which mr smith said despairingly it really is of no sort of use the man is too far gone i shall have to drop him and then was deterred from doing so by some clumsy effort to help on the part of the poor old fellow or by the look of quiet assurance in young mike's satisfied eyes it is something you know to feel that somebody expects you to succeed in your efforts

or perhaps that persistent old sentence would appear to his mind at the most inopportune moment, until seventy times seven, of the times when old Mike had resolved upon another drink if he swung for it, and was saved by the passage of Mr. Smith down the room when he paused long enough to say, "'The gangway looks very clean to-day, Mr. Donovan. It is a comfort to pass that way.'"

"'Mr. Donovan! It certainly sounded better than Drunken Mike. Do you imagine that Mr. Smith had other than a clean gangway to pass after that? There were days of utter failure and disgrace, days in which the Mr. Booties laughed satisfiedly, and the aristocrats smiled their contemptuous pity at such folly, and Mr. Smith went more frequently and stayed longer in his closet.'

there came once a white day a day never to be forgotten in young mike's life when his mother patched the old gray coat and washed his one shirt and old mike combed his hair and even cleaned his boots and went with his son to the meeting of the guards and signed the pledge old mike will not soon forget that evening no less than three men shook hands with him and called him mr donovan

he walked home with a firm tread and mended the leg of the table and the arm of a chair that very evening it was more than a year afterwards that mr donovan was hurrying home one afternoon from the store where he was now one of the most important and trustworthy porters he was late and in haste so he took a short cut across the fields and came full upon the lake in all its sunset glory

very little time had he nowadays in which to admire the lake and as for making use of it there was no need a three-shilling mirror hung over his wife's new bureau at home and one but a trifle smaller adorned the wall of young mike's private room so the lake gleamed and shimmered and reflected what it could find but rarely got a chance at young mike in these days for he was a hard-working schoolboy now

but on this afternoon mr donovan was taken by surprise it was such a clearly cut full-length view of his broad-shouldered well-proportioned frame that he came to a full stop to admire it for a full minute he stood silently surveying himself ere his feelings found vent in words

there's a difference there is sure me nose is no ritter than the master himself and me coat hasn't a rag nor a darn about it and me hair stands up on each side as it should and not all over me head at once like this is a fine-looking hat to be sure and a fine stream it is to give a fellow such a sight at himself for nothing

don't i mind the day when me boy brought me here to find the stick in me eye out of his looking-glass faith and the boy shall have a pair of skates come next winter and slip on it with the best of them ah but it's a beautiful stream and he's a fine man is mr smith every inch of him i've said it before but i never felt the difference like i do to-night after this glimpse of meself in this big shiny glass

I'll work for him faithful to the day of me death, and Mike shall have a house of his own, and a glass as shall cover over one side of the biggest room in it, like the one in the store, and if that don't come to pass, then me name is not Mr. Donovan.

trifles and results mrs arthur tremaine stirred her coffee complacently took a sip of it from her solid silver teaspoon then added another lump of sugar and stirred it in before she answered her daughter what a commotion you make about a very small matter estelle you don't give your brother any peace of life what is the use of teasing him so

because i want him to join us mamma will you to-night horace just to please me you know can't say sis perhaps i will and then again perhaps not there's no telling what effect your eloquence may have i must go now to the store good morning mother

and Mr. Horace Tremaine bowed gracefully to his mother, kissed his sister's cheek, patted it a little in a loving way, and left them to finish their breakfast while he moved leisurely downtown. Estelle, as she watched from the window his handsome form, gave a slight sigh and said, "'I wish you had helped me, Mama, just a little bit.' "'Nonsense, Estelle!'

the lady's voice was sharper than you would have supposed it could be to judge from her fair calm face i don't care whether he goes or not in fact i would rather he stayed away i am surprised at your taste in mixing in the affair temperance societies are well enough in their place among the low and degraded but to bring them into our circle is absurd but mamma intemperance is not confined to the low and degraded

yes it is who ever heard of the people who belong to our set lying around in the gutters as they tell about these miserable wretches doing estelle did not argue the point she had lived in this world long enough to know that it would be as sensible to argue with a pumpkin vine as with a person who talked in that insane fashion

so she only gave another sigh somewhat heavier than the last and betook herself to the window to have another glimpse of horace who had halted at the corner to talk with a friend when he was again started he did not go to the store it was his father's store and he had a right to use considerable license as to the time of his arrival there

so instead of taking state street he turned off in the direction of hamilton street and sauntered into fred archer's office that gentleman sat with his heels considerably higher than his head and his head almost invisible because of the cloud of cigar smoke around it but he lowered his heels on mr tremain's entrance and removed his cigar from his mouth

how are you tremaine have a seat and a cigar no doesn't the little sister approve of cigars well you are right please her when you can as well as not it isn't every young man who has such a sister mr tremaine heartily agreed with this sentiment and they discussed the little sister with animation for several minutes and naturally that topic led to another that was just then occupying the brother's mind

have they been after you to join the new temperance organization archer oh yes they have canvassed this end of the city pretty thoroughly been very energetic indeed going oh no i can't i would like to accommodate them but of course they want me to sign a total abstinence pledge and that i cannot do pledges are articles of which i don't approve mr tremain elevated his eyebrows slightly as he said

I am rather surprised at that, inasmuch as you are so temperate in practice. What objections have you to pledges? Several. The foundation is wrong. Giving a written pledge that a man will or will not do a thing is just writing lies. He don't know whether he will or not, and not not to be made to promise. Men must govern themselves by principles instead of pledges. But isn't the signing of a pledge the acting out of a principle?

not a bit of it what is a pledge anyway nothing but a piece of paper what moral power can it possess then wherein lies its harm why it is a promise and a promise very likely indeed to be broken by those who have any desire for liquor and a broken promise is a bad thing a man is always lowered in his own esteem for having made one

having broken it after he made it rather i should say which i should think would be one strong incentive for keeping it but wouldn't your style of argument carried out do away with a good deal of business what about promises to pay notes on a certain day mr archer put his cigar back in his mouth and puffed away in severe silence for some minutes before he answered oracularly a very different matter

he did not explain how or why presently he added that's another point pledges do positive harm it is a principle underlying human nature that at no time in his life does a man feel such an intense desire to do a thing as after he has promised not to do it mr tremayne laughed it strikes me that is a most unlawyer like argument for a lawyer of your eminence my friend he said gaily

at least i shall consider it my duty to warn the ladies against your peculiar views fancy having just promised to love cherish and all that at the marriage altar and then immediately according to the principal underlying human nature feeling an intense desire to hate your wife how about that pledge eh archer

said mr archer in a very argumentative tone then he gave contemptuous puffs at his cigar presently he burst forth again

The whole thing is a humbug and a nuisance. I've been plagued to death with it, chased up and down the street and petitioned to sign a pledge. A man of principle and strength of purpose doesn't want to be treated like a baby and tied up. I can be a temperance man without going through any such nonsense.

But I will persist in wanting to know why a total abstinence pledge is any more objectionable than a marriage pledge, for instance. Don't you imagine you could be a true husband without any such proceedings? Or don't you believe Father would pay you the money he holds of yours without the note that you hold as surety, the pledge in short of his intentions?

"'You see, Archer, this thing won't bear analyzing. Besides, if a man don't want to break the pledge—that is, if he is a temperate man from principle and don't want to drink—how does the pledge tie him?' Mr. Archer's heels went up to the desk again, but he laid down his cigar before he spoke.'

"'I'll tell you what, Tremaine, that little sister of yours has been making you think that white is black. Perhaps it is. If you are convinced of it, all right. By which I mean, if you believe signing the total abstinence pledge is your duty and your conscience will be easier, then my advice is sign it by all means.'

for myself i don't feel the need of it i drink a little cider occasionally and now and then a glass of wine but i don't care the snap of my thumb for either of them and could give them up to-day if i had occasion to do so i am a temperate man from principle and inclination not because i have written my name on a bit of paper tremayne arose at once and declared he must go to the store

still he did not hasten after he bade his friend good-bye but went along very slowly and thoughtfully through the busy street he smiled over mr archer's arguments they hadn't deceived him the least in the world he knew they didn't amount to a row of pins it's queer he said to himself that a fellow with such clear brains as he has can get so muddled and talk like such a simpleton about this thing

I wonder if he doesn't like his wine and cider better than he thinks he does. Oh, no, it was not argument that had influenced Mr. Tremaine that morning. In truth, it very seldom is argument that leads people astray. It is often, as in this case, covert sneers, an intimation of unmanliness, a hint of being in leading strings.

Mr. Fred Archer was a rising lawyer. He was spoken of as a man of rare talent, of excellent habits, destined to make his mark in the world. Mr. Tremaine had heard him so spoken of from the time of their first acquaintance years back. He was still steadily rising. He was sought after and admired. Tremaine did not like the idea of doing anything that Archer would consider foolish.

he did not like the idea of being led by the little sister mr archer's tone while it was respectful had contained an undercurrent of good-natured compassion for the man who was much under feminine rule albeit mr tremayne smiled when he thought of the little sister

poor little puss he said she is very much in earnest i believe i should have gone with her this evening and signed their foolish pledge perhaps just to please the wee morsel i thought archer might take a notion to join me but he is off on another channel and talks like a goose i must say if he is a smart fellow

Nevertheless, he knew in his heart that it was the goose who was leading him, and not the hopeful, waiting, pure-hearted sister at home.

he knew it so well that he sighed heavily over the disappointment that awaited the poor little puss and he dismissed the subject from his mind and went to lunch with allan pierce who had neither conscientious scruples nor principles and drank wine without the fear of pledges or consequences before his eyes

Six months afterwards, the papers told cautiously, with careful and respectful wording, about the sad and fatal accident.

Mr. Horace Tremaine, son of Arthur Tremaine, Esquire, of Park Place, while walking with a friend last evening about eleven o'clock, had, in a most unaccountable manner, lost his footing and fallen into the river, and although prompt assistance was afforded, yet so difficult was the descent and so dark was the night that they failed to rescue the body until life was extinct.'

then followed a somewhat lengthy and very carefully worded obituary mr fred archer read the account in his office with his heels elevated to the desk and his cigar in his mouth and between the puffs he said shocking and dreadful finally he removed his cigar altogether to soliloquize after this fashion

the poor fellow was intoxicated or it would never have happened when i saw him at ten o'clock he couldn't walk straight and that fellow with him was worse than he or he might have been saved it is strange how he has rushed to ruin a young man of very fair promise too all he needed was a little more stamina

it is a pity he didn't sign one of their foolish pledges that day when he was half inclined to i advised him to i remember i am glad of that well there must be some poor wretches in this world it seems

and Mr. Fred Archer went to the grand and solemn funeral and wore crape on his arm, and tried to say a word to comfort the poor, broken-hearted little sister, and mourned with Mrs. Archer Tremaine over this afflictive and mysterious dispensation of Providence.

the rev mr westervelt oh wad some power the gifty gee us to see ourselves as ithers see us it wad from money a blunder free us and foolish notion the rev harlan westervelt shook his head emphatically no sir he said with decision in his tones that would not be my way of doing business

"'And yet, Mr. Westervelt, the man is breaking the laws of the land every day of his life. "'I don't doubt that. So are many others. There are people all around us who are breaking the laws not only of the land, but of God, every day of their lives. Yet you and I do not consider it our duty to pitch into them in this summary manner.'

there are evils in the world that we cannot help of course but when there is a remedy isn't it manifestly our duty to apply it undoubtedly and when there are several remedies isn't it every man's duty to select the best conscientiously which means said his friend smiling somewhat sadly that your conscience does not approve of the one which we propose

"'That's the precise difficulty,' Mr. Westervelt returned, with a smile as frank as the sunshine that streamed across his study floor. "'And yet,' said the gentleman thoughtfully, "'you are an earnest temperance man. If I know my own heart, I am,' the clergyman said with fervor, and no one who looked at the earnest, manly face could doubt his sincerity."

It is a question of ways and means simply upon which we differ. And I tell you frankly, I don't believe in driving people into the kingdom or into temperance. I think there is a more excellent way. The fact is, Mr. Gray, though I hate the sin, I love the sinner. So does the Lord, and yet, Mr. Westervelt, he surely meets out justice with no sparing hand.

"'Ah, yes, but the Lord has a right to work in a different way from me. He sees the end from the beginning, and in the first place justice belongs to him, while I should feel my way carefully, lest I may in my zeal do more harm than good after all.' "'Then would you never be in favor of bringing an offender to justice?'

I do not say that by any means. I do not even say that you are wrong and I am right. I may be mistaken. But I am honestly striving to act out my convictions of duty. See here, my friend, you propose to prove a violation of law in the case of Blair's saloon. Miserable law it is, too, one might suppose it was made on purpose to be violated. But no matter, such as it is, Blair has broken it.

Now suppose you succeed in proving this and closing his saloon. You thereby make an enemy of him. You lose all chance of ever influencing him for good. And so long as Whitney and Haynes and a half-dozen others have their establishments in full blast, what have you gained for the morals of the village? At least we shall have tried to do our duty, Mr. Gray said somewhat coldly.

Yes, if that course has impressed itself upon you as your duty, you will have that satisfaction. Meantime, while I try to win them to a better way, I hope to be doing mine. And I hope and pray that the Lord will show us both the right way. If I am wrong, I want to know it. I know that with both of us this will be a subject of prayer.

Then the two gentlemen shook hands warmly, and Mr. Gray departed. Mr. Westervelt turned to his unfinished sermon and tried to fix his thoughts on it, but the sentence half-written, from which he had turned to greet his caller, refused to come at his call, and after holding his pen idly for a few minutes, conscious meantime that his mind was elsewhere, he suddenly threw it aside and descended to the sitting-room.

"'Fanny,' he said to the little lady who sat sewing, with one foot on the rocker of the crib, "'don't you want some oysters for supper?' "'Why, I don't know,' she answered hesitatingly. "'I guess you do. Shall I tell Mary to give me a dish of some sort to get them in? I want an excuse into Blair's saloon.'

mrs grey doesn't think it right to buy oysters there mrs westervelt said as she returned with the dish she seemed surprised to think we patronized him i know her husband answered as he drew on his gloves mr grey and i have just been talking about the matter not about oysters exactly but liquors mr grey wants to use law but i am anxious to try the gospel

"'Shouldn't the two always harmonize?' his wife asked, smiling, a question which Mr. Westervelt did not seem ready to answer. Blair's saloon was one of the neatest and daintiest in town. Everything was wax-like in its management, and the bland face of the host smiled a cordial greeting to Mr. Westervelt and his pail. "'Any good oysters to-day?' that gentleman queried, setting his pail on the shining table.'

"'Yes, sir, prime. I thought of you when I was counting out some just now,' says I to myself. "'The domine ought to come in this afternoon, sure. They would just suit him. If I'd had a soul to send, I'd just picked out a few and sent them over. Take a chair, Mr. Westervelt. It's quite a spell since you've been in. I didn't see you in church last Sabbath,' Mr. Westervelt said, taking the offered chair. Mr. Blair laughed.'

"'Well, no, I haven't got there yet. I ought to, that's a fact. I says to my wife, last Sunday, says I, "'Mr. Westervelt don't feel above a man because he's poor,' says I. He patronizes me, and I ought to patronize him, and I mean to. Says I, I've a great mind to go this very morning. But it got late before I knew it. It's apt to Sundays, so I had to give it up.'

i'm coming though i'll be there next sunday as likely as not meantime trade was not very brisk with mr blair customers came in lounged about for a few minutes then went away again somehow none of them seemed disposed to call for their accustomed refreshments while the clergyman sat composedly looking at them he noticed the result of his call with much inward glee

you wouldn't care about me for a daily visitor i fancy he said presently i seem to injure your trade mr blair laughed with the utmost good nature they seem shy that's a fact and it's just as well no harm done don't that show you mr blair what a mean sort of business it is none of your customers would be ashamed to buy oysters for instance because i sat looking at them

"'That's so,' chuckled Mr. Blair. "'I don't admire the business myself. True as you live, I don't. But what can a fellow do? You must live, you know, and I might as well get my living out of them as anyone else. If these fellows would all stop drinking, I'd give the business right up, I would.'

"'Poor argument, Mr. Blair. You don't say that, because there are people who will steal. You might as well get your living in that way as any other. But it's against the law to steal, you see. I should be nabbed in short order if I tried that. But I've got a license for my business, you know.' This remark recalled the conversation with Mr. Gray, and the clergyman said, thoughtfully,

there is such a thing as violating law even when a man is licensed do you think this business would bear looking into too closely the bland face darkened and a frown spread itself over mr blair's smooth brow as he said sternly there's some kinds of meddling that folks won't stand i'll take my share but there's such a thing as going too far and i'd advise them not to try it

and then mr westervelt said to himself that he was right and mr grey was wrong nothing could be gained by forcing this man but aloud he said i would quit the business if i were you it isn't suited to you you're too good a fellow to spend your life in selling poison you see i speak plainly to you you know just what i think of this thing mr blair's face had grown bland again and his voice was smooth

"'Oh, yes, I know all about it, and I don't get offended. You see, you have a right to your notions and I have a right to mine. Live and let live is my motto. I don't admire the business as I said before, and now and then I have sober thoughts of giving it up. Perhaps I may, who knows. Good afternoon, Mr. Westervelt.'

said a brisk bright young voice the clergyman was a little startled he knew the voice and was sorry to hear it there however proper it might be for him to be found sitting in one of the arm-chairs of mr blair's liquor saloon it was not by any means the place where he should like to meet one of his young men

so he was much relieved to discover that alan comrie had no business whatever with mr blair but came directly to his pastor's side full of a project in which both were interested he however accepted the chair which mr blair brought forward and the talk lasted for several minutes when he rose to depart his pastor arose also are my oysters ready mr blair

"'Already, sir, the biggest I could pick. No charge for them, if you please. I wanted to send some around. No, sir, no, I don't want money for them. I'm going to take it out in preaching.' "'Do you buy your oysters here?' And in Alan Comrie's question there was a tone of surprise and a slight emphasis on the last word. "'Frequently I do. Mr. Blair keeps a very fine article.'

I'll be happy to prove the truth of that to Mr. Comrie if he will give me a chance, Mr. Blair said, with his lowest bow and his most respectful tones. As the two gentlemen went down the steps together, the clergyman remarked thoughtfully, I want to get a hold on that man if I can, so I take every lawful means to do it with.

and neither of them heard that man's low chuckling remarks to himself as he watched the two down the street i don't mind his preaching i can stand a dose of that now and then so long as he sits in one of my chairs while he preaches and folks pass by my window and see him that young comry has never stepped a foot inside my door before this incident gave rise to two tea-table talks that evening

"'My son,' Mrs. Comrie said, as with a grave troubled face she passed a cup of tea to her only son, who sat at the head of her table and reigned supreme in her widowed heart, "'I thought you never went into Blair's saloon. I was so surprised to see you sitting there when I passed this afternoon. Never was there in my life before, mother, and I stopped this afternoon to speak to Mr. Westervelt.'

"'Mr. Westervelt? He surely wasn't there?' "'Yes'm. He was after oysters, in part, and partly to show his interest in the man, so far as he could. That is his idea, mother, and I am not certain but it is the right one. Mr. Blair seems to think a great deal of him.' "'I hope,' said Mrs. Comrie, still speaking very gravely,

i hope that while he is engaged in showing his interest in that poor miserable rum-cellar he will not forget how many young men in his sunday school are watching his actions without the means of knowing by what motives they are prompted at mr walker's there was not so much good cheer as usual the little wife had done her best and very bright and comely everything looked

but the husband ate one muffin in almost total silence and stared gloomily at his second one without eating it at all at last while his wife waited for an answer or comment on one of her bits of news wherewith she was trying to beguile him he burst forth irreverently i believe i shall have to take to selling rum in order to make a living why charlie what on earth do you mean

and this happy little wife could afford to finish her sentence with a merry laugh for she knew that her staunchly temperate husband was in no danger of doing any such thing well said mr walker setting down his cup with energy

that seems to be the way in which to gain sympathy and custom here i am struggling hard to maintain a temperance saloon i keep everything as neat as hands can make it and i keep the very best and freshest articles that i can find in the market and there is blairs right across the street from me selling rum by the glass and selling it against the law too every time he gets a chance

and men who pretend to be in favor of temperance march past my rooms that are every bit as nice as his and buy their fruit and oysters and what not of him

even mr westervelt goes in and takes a seat there and comes out presently with his pail of oysters or his fruit jar and young comry said to me to-day that mr westervelt was trying in that way to get a hold on blair and he more than hinted that it was the right way he'll be going there with his pail next

i told him that i wished mr westervelt would spend a little time in getting a hold on me since i was one of his church members and was trying through a great deal of discouragement to uphold one of his principles now isn't that rather exasperating the little wife had finished her supper and now came around and slipped into a seat on her husband's knee and stroked with soft hand his tired face as she said softly

don't you think charlie that god knows all about it how you are tried and don't you think he is on your side the hard vexed lines smoothed themselves under the touch of that gentle hand mr walker was silent a moment then said in a subdued tone yes he did think so with all his heart and he was comforted

mr blair brushed his coat and went to church on the following sabbath people stared to see him there young comrie was more than ever convinced that mr westervelt's was the wiser way and the young minister himself gave when he saw him a little inward laugh of glee such as a good man gives when he thinks he has outwitted satan and he said to himself

"'Aha! I've caught him. The rigors of the law couldn't have brought him to church to-day.' "'Did you see that Blair who keeps the corner saloon in church to-day?' Mrs. Gray asked her husband that same evening. "'Yes, I did,' he said gloomily. "'And I saw old Dixon stagger home from there drunk not an hour ago.' "'Why didn't they put a stop to that at least?' queried the indignant wife.'

"'People won't,' he said solemnly. "'They want a better law, and they won't use any until they get one that just suits, and they'll get it in a hurry at that rate.' Just five years afterwards, a dull, dreary November day, the wind groaning dismally among bare branches,

people walking with as little noise as they might among millions of rustling withered leaves those nearest the front surrounding a newly dug grave wherein they lowered a coffin earth to earth ashes to ashes dust to dust the reverend mr westervelt's earthly work was done

"'Heavy hearts were there around that grave, broken, bleeding hearts. "'Tears were falling from eyes unused to weeping. "'Many an undertone of benediction was breathed over the silent dust. "'Mr. Blair was there, tears in his eyes and an unwanted solemnity on his red face. "'His face was much redder now than it had been five years before. "'Mr. Blair still sold rum and drank much of it.'

still he had his word of comment he was a good fellow he didn't look down on a man because he didn't happen to think as he did there ain't many like him breaking in on the tender solemnity of the ministerial benediction came the loud discordant halloo of a drunken man a young man reeling along the street past the cemetery gate singing snatches of a ribald song

a policeman standing among the friends with uncovered head went hurriedly to hush the profane voice ah me that voice belonged to allan comry and among the comments made as they turned from that new-made grave was this from a widowed broken-hearted mother the first time my poor allan ever stepped inside a liquor saloon he went to have a talk with mr westervelt who was sitting there

and the rev harlan westervelt had gone where there is no opportunity given for correcting mistakes and of section twenty two section twenty three of modern prophets and other sketches by pansy climbing grandpa i have a picture to show you i remember you like pictures

Grandpa Thompson turned from his large print Bible and studied carefully the handsome boyish face looking at him from the canvas. The beautiful eyes and sweet, earnest young mouth I don't know how to describe. So it has been copied for you, and you can study it at your leisure. "'Is it a fancy picture?' Grandpa Thompson asked."

no sir said fair gertrude thompson his young lady granddaughter with a pink blush on her round cheek it is a picture of a friend of mine in new york painted on shipboard eh

yes sir there's a little story about it the boy was sent aloft during a severe storm and the circumstances were so peculiar that they interested an artist who was on board and he made a picture of it and gave it to the boy who was a pet of his and the boy sent it home to his mother and his mother lent it to you just for fun i suppose said grandpa with a roguish laugh

the best answer miss gertrude could think of to make to this was to laugh too well said grandpa that face reminds me of a story if you have nothing better to do cuddle up in my big chair and i'll tell you about it miss gertrude cuddled up in the great old-fashioned chair with immense satisfaction

"'The year you were born—no, bless me, it was when your sister Addie was born—you were six years old. I went a voyage for my health, and it came very near not being for my health. There was the very worst storm that I ever had any knowledge of, though to be sure that's not saying much, but the sailors thought it was no small matter, I can tell you.'

there was a lad on board that i took the greatest fancy to nicest boy that i ever saw looked some like that face there in your picture i got well acquainted with him during the voyage was he one of the passengers grandpa not he he was one of the crew and the quickest brightest sharpest little fellow that ever was all the time he could find from his regular work he was studying like a trojan

"'What do you study so much?' I asked him once. "'Navigation, sir,' he said as promptly as a soldier, and he wasn't much larger than my thumb, it seems to me. They kept him pretty busy, but he and I had a good many talks one time and another. "'Are you going to be a sailor all your life?' I asked him. "'I'm going to be a sea-captain,' says he. "'Oh, you are. Going to have a vessel as large as this to manage?'

i'm going to have one twice as large as this one of these days if i live he said with such a quiet determined air that i had to believe it then but i pretended not to i'll risk you said i you'll go and get drunk the first time we put into port and you'll keep on doing that until you can't let the vile stuff alone and that will be the death of you

i can see his great eyes flash this minute seems to me i shan't do that anyhow says he do what get drunk sir how do you know because folks can't get drunk without drinking liquor and i'll never taste one drop of it as long as i live god helping you you mean i said as solemnly as i could

God will help me, says he. I've asked him to, and I keep asking. And besides, I've promised. See that. He took a bit of crumpled paper out of his pocket and handed me. It was a pledge, Gertrude, very solemnly written, and as strong as language could make it. There were quite a number of names on it.

"'There,' said he, pointing to them, "'that's my father's name, and that's my mother's, and that's my Sabbath schoolteachers, and that's my minister's, and that's mine. Do you think I'll drink, sir?' Prouder than a king his voice was, and I couldn't help saying to him, "'I don't believe you will.'

"'Well, Gertrude, I saw that boy tempted, I tell you. The storm came on. I shan't try to tell you about that. It was awful, awful. The sailors worked with all their might. We should have gone to the bottom,' the captain told me afterwards, "'if every man of them had not done his duty. My boy worked with the rest, until when the storm lulled the next morning they were all completely fagged out.'

the captain had all hands on deck and after a few words of hearty praise he dealt them out each a thimbleful or so of brandy it wasn't his custom it is true he drank brandy himself moderately and in a gentlemanly way but he didn't care about having his men do so very often

he stopped before my young friend and said a special word of commendation about the courage and presence of mind that he had shown during the night of terror and then he gave him the brandy with his own hand i was some younger then than i am now and i had been on deck trying to help so i saw it all i thank you sir the lad said speaking up boldly but i never drink liquor

that's right enough as a general thing i don't disapprove of it said the captain though he spoke rather haughtily but this is for medicine you have been under great fatigue and you need the stimulus

now as a general thing the captain was a just and sensible man but he was used to having his orders obeyed his cheeks got very red and his eyes looked like two coals and his voice rang through the deck with a tone that all the men understood said he i command you to drink it you ought to have seen my boy then gertrude i wish i could have seen him said gertrude whose cheeks were aglow

"'What then, Grandpa?' the little fellow's lip quivered, and his voice trembled, but yet it was distinct and decided. Said he, "'Captain, you promised my mother that you would help me to be a true boy, and I promised her, and I promised God, that I would never taste nor touch a drop of liquor. I am afraid to break my promise, Captain.'

For about a minute the captain glowered on him, then he turned on his heel with a half-laugh, half-sneer, and as he went he said, "'If you have not sense enough to distinguish between drinking liquor for amusement and taking medicine when the surgeon advises it, why, I suppose I must let you be a simpleton and take the consequences.'

but every sailor on board knew that the youngster was in disgrace all that day he was frowned on and ordered about like a dog you see the captain could not forget that he had intended the lad a special honor and it had been refused at evening he sent the little fellow aloft during an awful gale the old sailors shook their heads and one of them whispered to him

if you'd mutiny now there'd be some sense in it and we'd stand by you to a man you ought to have seen the boys eyes then the eyes in the picture there reminded me of them sad they looked but just as resolute as eyes can and he never hesitated a second but went up the ropes like a cat

there was considerable muttering among the passengers over that but he came down all right and the trouble blew over only the captain continued to be very haughty and stern towards him well one night tired gertrude no indeed papa go on please

one night we anchored at one of those islands with jaw-breaking names i don't remember now which one of them it was the captain was out of something or other i don't recollect the unimportant parts of the story anyway my lad and his mess went ashore together the captain went and the first mate and a good share of the passengers but i wasn't feeling so well as usual and in company with a number of others stayed in the vessel

it was left in charge of the second mate he was a poor coot very unpopular he was mad because he wasn't on shore with the rest he gave pretty strict orders all around and then he went below which as far as i can remember he had no business to do it wasn't late at all when my young friend came back to his quarters i was sitting up reading a little and i called him to come to my state-room

Didn't you have a good time? I asked him. No, he said in great disgust. There is no such thing as having a good time anywhere in this world. There is so much rum in it. Then he told me how the boys were having a regular spree on shore. They had tried to coax or scold him into it, and failing, he had prevailed on two of the best-natured ones to row him back to the ship.

"'But I couldn't keep them here,' he said. "'They've gone back to the others, and they'll have no money nor sense left when they get back here. "'Did you see the captain?' I asked him. "'Oh, yes, I saw him, and he was in a nice room drinking out of handsome dishes. "'That was all the difference. "'The boy was sharp, you see, as sharp as steel.'

he went off on deck and maybe it was an hour afterwards that we heard the shrill sharp cry of fire we rushed on deck and followed the sound of the cries and the captain's stateroom was a blaze of light

There was some tall work done then, I can tell you. The youngster was on hand, working for dear life, and seeing he knew what he was about, which was more than some of us did, we just put ourselves under his command, and if he didn't order us right and left for a spell, then no matter. It was all done up in a few minutes, and a fire that had got a pretty decent start was conquered."

when we came a little to our senses it occurred to us that the boy and we the passengers had done the work where in the name of wonder was the crew left in charge my young man shrugged his shoulders drunk said he every one of em i told you there was too much rum everywhere

it seems as we got the story out little by little that the spirit of unrest and impishness generally entered into the men left in charge and having nothing in particular to do and with the maid asleep or somewhere else where he ought not to be they went prowling around to see what they could find they found the key in the captain's door he had turned it and forgotten to take it out

So in they went, and then they found his private case of liquors, a very handsome one it was, and well stocked.

the rest of the story you can easily imagine they took a taste all round i suppose telling each other that that little bit would never be missed and then that little bit began to do its work they didn't care whether it was missed or not nor what became of them they pretty near emptied the case and had just sense enough left to crawl away out of sight but not until they had contrived in some blundering way to set the papers on the table afire

the young man told me he had been gone from my room but a short time when he smelled smoke and set about hunting it up i've told you the story pretty fast and left out a good many of the particulars but the truth is the boy behaved like a hero and no one was quicker to acknowledge it than the captain

He just wrung the brave fellow's hand, and said he, You've saved human lives by the score. For you see, we would have been burned as sure as fate, and not a boat, mind you, not a boat to escape in. They had every one of them ashore. That was against orders, too, but orders get disobeyed occasionally, even on shipboard. And, says the captain, you've saved my ship for me.

"'Captain,' said the lad, "'it was my promise that saved the ship, I think.' "'I don't know but it was,' said the captain. "'However, I did not entice you to break it this time, "'nor give it to the drunken scamps who betrayed their trust.' "'Captain,' the boy said again, "'if you hadn't had the liquor in your room, "'the men wouldn't have been tempted. "'I thought the captain would be angry, "'but he was made of better stuff than that.'

that's true he said very gravely then after a thoughtful pause he added i tell you what my man you and i will have no more of it in our state-rooms after this and he didn't i've kept my eye on the lad too and you never saw a fellow mount up as he did what has become of him grandpa he is the captain and part owner of one of the very finest vessels in our waters what is his name

his name said grandpa very deliberately is captain john truman grandpa said gertrude her face all in a glow i am acquainted with your captain john truman i thought very likely said grandpa drily

I would know my lad's eyes anywhere. Besides, I was on board when that picture was sketched. I saw the boy only a few weeks ago, and I strongly suspect he is your Captain Truman. And let me tell you, it would be hard to find a truer man. End of section 23. End of Modern Prophets and Other Sketches by Pansy and Faye Huntington. Oh yeah.

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