Saturday morning visitor., 1849-02-17
THE COLD WATER BOY.

A BOY named Frank, who had heard a
perance, was passing the door of tavern
kept by man who drew good deal of
custom by his agreeable manners, and the
pleasant way he had talking to every one,
Frank was whistling lively tune as he
went by, and the landlord, who happened
TO be standing in the door, said to him in a
jiking, playful way
Good morning, my fine fellow WORT
you step in and get something TO drink ?n
Now Frank had some lun in him, as
Well as the landlord, whom we will call
Hartley. And he replied, in an off hand
kind of way
81 don't care if do"
And he Strengthened himself up and
walked with an ereot air, as if he were
hian, INTO the bar room.
"Wel sir! What will you take p said
the landlord, who was always ready TO he
pleased with any thinkg liuie out Of the
common order. "a brandy punch mint
jnlep, sibfry cobbler, or hot whskey
punch All capital drinksw
there were two or three old tippling
customers in the bar.room, idling their
time away instead Of being at their work.
Here was little novelty for them, and
they gathered arotihd the new conner,
pleased as could bea the prospect Of some
rhing to bre1k in upon the dullness of the
hour. II one of them even thought of the
dangerous course the lad was apparently
entering, il did not occur TO his mind at
fhe same time, that il was his duty to warn
him oil his folly, All rather felt like hav-
ing some sport out Of the boy.
"'rry sherry cobbler," said one, speak
Ing up quickly ''lls first rate"
No no." said another. Nothing like
hot whiskey punch Try that"
And one pulled him one way and one
another. while the landlord said, with
fnock gravity-he was enjoying the scene
wonderfully
"Come-coine, sirs. Let the gentle
man chose for himself. reckon he knows
what's what as well as an, of you. Now
SIR" addressing Frank-"which will you
take p
Frank had not been in the least con-
fused by all The hubbub his appearah!e
had crea,edy and soon as he could gt
chance to order what he wanted, said,
with the utmost coolness,-
'I'll take glass Of Adams ale, If you
please, landlord"
Il was little curious to see how the
laugh began gradually to change 10 the
s,olher side OF the mouth" the moment
Frank said this.
"Oh! Adams ale,' returned the land
lord. doing his best TO keep up the little
farce be was acting. "Yes-very good
Aslbk that. only little too weak. And
he poured Frank out aglass ofpure, spark
ling water, which The lad drank off with
the air Of one who enjoyed it.
i"How does il taste?'' inquired one of
the tipplers, thinking still Ito thow the laugh
off upon Frank.
.sTry little, won't you 9' said the boy.
with q serious face. "I'm sure you'll
like the taste. II makes you feel good all
over, and hasn't particle of headache nor
fever IN H.
dIndeedl So you are young teetotal-
ler,"" remarked Hartley.
aI'm cold water boy" said Frank, as
he stepped back from the bar. "And in
rslurn for your compliment this morning,
Invite you 10 join our army. Wen make
you captain"
Frank did not say this pertly, nor inn
Prldently, as most boys would have done,
but with such grave good humOr that ii
was impossible for any one 10 be offended.
The landlord was taken by surprise, and
before he could recover himself and renew
the attack, Frank bade him good morn
ing and retired.
A day or two aAer, while Frank was
passing Hprtley's tavern again, the land
lord happened to be at the door. He had
been good deal amused by the lads oif|