The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-08-19


that he was TO deliver temperance lecture
in the village school house. Here and there
little groups were gathered together, talking
The matter over;for it was indeed something
new to have temperance lecture there; the
oldest nhabitant could not remember the
like of it. Bills appetite, and an itching to
ascertain who and what The stranger was,
lurged him as far as the tavern, where he
arrived aooui noon. Of course he made one
Of the group there, who talked about the
stranger and his business, though precious
little did he do towards making up the con.
versation. m
Are you going 10 Jine the rev pledge
Bill!' asked an old covey,as he entered the
bar loom.
Bill didn'i know exactly what answer to
make, and so, true 10 his nature, he made
none a, all.
How is i, uncle Simon, continued the
same voice, addressing another of the loun.
gers ARE you going to Jine the Thomsoni-
ans 10 nighs!-they say It's all the go down
the city,
.The IhOmsonians?' said uncle Simon
\ don't know-.hey allow steaming it, l
suppose.
Old Simon was she wi, of the. town, and
Of course this sally produced laugh.
Not devil b!,' answered a square
ligged double breasted fellow, who had
stood in corner Of the room all the while.
I've seen 'em and hearn 'em lecture too;
but they don't hold TO steamin' any way,as
! know; nor they ain'l Th ompsoniaEs
neither
What arc they SAINT ssked uncle 81.
mon. :.
They are Washsngtonians.' said Sam.
'and they don't hold 10 drink1n' drop of
liquor
'.aforetolks,' added Simon, with empha-
sis--and here was another laugh.
The lecAfer was there, and in good timo
began his discourse. He dwell, long on tho
evil consequences of intemperance. and
among other things showed that it uniform.
ly produced laziness-the worst kind of la.
ziness-even disregard of duties, on the
performance Of which depend cleanliness,
health and happiness.
Bill heard the whole and winked.-
The others heard, and looked knowingly
at Bill.
Presently the Pledge wen. round, begin
ming with uncle Simon, who was the oldest
man and biggest topper 10 the house.
IN sign if Bill Smith will said Simon.
'And too, said the next; and the next,
and
But who is Bill Smith, asked the stran.
ger.
There he sits,' answered one, pointing
10 seat nearlthe door; for Bill had not 60!
far into the house-he was too lazy.
The Pledge was carried to him, and be
was requested 10 sign it.
Il can't, said Bill, I'm tlred.'
But you must said the stranger; here
are three more waiting for you to sign
:Don't you see can',l' answered Bill
And besides ',isnt best TO hurry; there's
nothing got by hurrying. I'm tired
Sign Bill said uncle Simon; sign Bill,
and then make speech
The audience laughed; Bill looked sober;
he was evidently thinking Of something
and this required an effort. I suspect he
was thinking Of the lecture and his own
laziness. Presently he spoke.
i spose l might sign il and make
speech .oo,' he said; for though Pm lit
tie lazy now a-days, seeing there's nothing
10 do, l used to be as smar, as sny fellow
In PePperelboro.'
so you was said Simon; now sign the
Thempsonian Society Bill; and make
speech
Il guess on the whole had better wait
said Bill; perhaps some ether time will do
as WE'LL
Qut iha stranoer ,nsisted for fnll half an