The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-13


made one of the group there, who talked a.
bout the stranger, and his business though
precious little did he do towards making up
the conversation. ia ,.aT
: Are you goin' 10 jine the new pledge,
Bill" asked an old coyey, as he entered
the bar room.
Bill didn't know exactly what answer to
make, and SO, true to his nature, he made
none at all. . M r,.
How is it, uncle .Simon,' continued the
same voice, addressing another Of the loun-
gers, "are you goin' to jcin the T'homso-
mans to-night1-they say it is all the 60
down the city'' M j oacs.s l
{ The Ihomsoaians," said uncle Simon,
!" don't know-they allow steaaning ii,
suppose"
Old Simon was the wit of the town, and
of course this sally produced laugh. e
IL" Not a devil Bit" answered square
rugged, double-breasted fellow, who had
stood in the corner Of the room all the
while. S'Pve seen 'em and hearn ,'em lee
ture too, butthey don't hold to stearnin' any
way as know; northey aint Thomsonians
neither VI. 8a I,gs .aeas VI
!" What are they, Sam ~ asked uncle
Simon.
g They are Istotalzers,'' said Sam, e and
they don't hold to drinken' a drop Of Ii
quor.D a .
"s.Afore folks,' added Simon, with en-
phasis; and here was another laugh.
Bill heard all this but took no part, even
in the laugh, for he was too lazy. Towards
night the company dispersed, the great por-
ton OF them to meet again at the school
house. Bill got chance to ride, and so he
went to the school house too
The lecturer was there, and in good
time began his discourse He dwelt long
on the evil consequences Of intemperance
and among other things, showed that it uni
formly produced laziness--the worst kind
Of lazness-eyen disregard to those duties,
on the performance Of which depends clean
illness, health and happiness!
Bill heard the whole and rwinked The
others heard and looked at Bill.
Presently the pledge went round, begin
ming with uncle Simon; who.was the old
est man and biggist topper ia the house.
III sign if Bill, Smith will,," said Si-
mon. And too" said the next-and the
nex--and-
"But who is Bill Smith?r asked the
stranger
"T'here he Sits" answered one, pointing
to seat near the door; for Bill had not
got far into the house-he was too
lazy.
The pledge was carried to him and he
was requested to sign it. g i can't,n said
Bill, 6 Pm tired.'
But you must" said the stranger
" here are three more waiting for you 10
sign"
"Don't you see can't,' answered Bill.
"And besides, 'tisn't best to hurry; there's
nothing got by hurrying Pm tired.''
"Sign, Bill" said uncle Simon; aSign,
Bill, and then make speech.' I'LL
The audience laughed--Bill looked sober,
he was evidently thinking about something,
and this required an effort suspect he
was thinking Of the lecture, and his own
laziness. Presently he spoke.
"Is'pose | might sign it, and make a
speech too," he said, C for though Pm lit
tie lazy nowadays, seeing there's nothing
to do, 1 used TO be as smart as any fellow in
Pepperelbro."
$50 you were," said Simon G now sign
the Thomsonian Society, Bill, and make a
speech"
"Iguess, on the whole, Pd better wait
said Bill "perhaps some other time will do
as well,n
But the stranger insisted, for full half an
hour, and strange to say, Bill finally signed
the Pledge.
" And now make Speech" was the cry
from every part of the house. Bill wouldn't
make speech that night, and the topers
wouldn't sign the pledge till the speech had
been made.
"rll come here next Tuesday night, and
make good long speech," said Bill with
more energy than he had displayed for
months before; off uncle Simon and the
rest Of you will come and hear me'
Agreed agreed ~ was heard from all
parts of the house. And then the audience
dispersed.
CHAPTERIv
'Tis strange to say what havoc intemper-
ance will make of intellect and ambition
When William Smith was twenty-five
years of age, he was considered the most
industrious, intelligent and noble hearted of