Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-01-28

laVefn-Keeper. Alter reading the tract through,
he placed it in his pocket and continued on
his way
Stop and think said wife, in an appeal
ing voice to her husband, as The latter was
about leaving the house.
sDon't talk to me in that way replied the
husband in,patienIy. You couldn't act worse
if were common drunkard.'
But the danger, John. Stop and think
that! There is a lion in the way
am out of all patience with you, Alice
said the man. "A high respect you have for
your husbands good sense and GOOD princi.
pies As if couldn't enjoy glass now and
then, without being in danger of becoming a
miserable so'
With this, the man turned off, and took him
his way to the tavern, while his wife went
weeping into the house. As he walked along,
he words she had uered-sStop and think
-rung in his ears, and he tried to push them
from his thoughts, in order that he might nor
think. All at once fresh blast of wind blew
from field that adjoned the road, piece Of
paper, and as il fell al his feet, his eye caught
the words
SToP AND THINK
The coincidence of language startled him
for moment. He took this piece of paper
and commenced reading; and as lie read, he
walked slower and slower. One of Wilton's
temperance tracts had fallen into his hands
It was close appeal to the moderate drnker,
and set forth his danger in the fullest manner.
At last the man stood still. Then he sat down
| by the road side, still reading on.
There is DANGER he at length murmured,
/ oldsng up The tract as he spoke. Rising, he
STOOD irresoute as TO whether he should re-
turn home, or keep on his way 10 the tavern.
Had any one thrust the tract into his band
be would have rejected il; but coming to hin,
as it did,it found his mind prepared 10 hearken
10 It's appeals. Butt the love of drink had been
formed, and. at the prospect of having its ac-
customed qualification cut off, began to cry out
| Tor indulgence. A combat. in the mind Of the
man was The result: and this continued until
appetite gained the victory so far that he con-
cluded, for Ibis time, al least, 10 go TO the tay-
ern, but TO give up the habit thereafter.
Il hate to turn back after once start to do
a thing said he, as he moved on towards the
tavern, it's bad luck
Still the argument for ard against any for
er indulgence, kept going on, and he could
not turn his mind away from it,
At length the sign of the Punch Bowl
whittier he was vending bis way came ia
view, and the sight affected him with the ok
pleasure. In. imagination, the refreshing and
exhllaratlng glass was al his lips,and he quick
| ened his pace Involuntary.
AS he drew near, he saw the landlord sit
ting on the porch. The good natured old fell
low did not smile with the broad mile of
welcome, that usually played over his counte-
nance, when agcustOmer approached.
How are you TO day, landlord p said the
man cheerfully, as he stepped upon the porch
DO you know the road you come p asked
the landlord, with a gravity of manner that
surprised his customer.
Yes replied The man, I've come the road
to The Punch Bowl
Better say the road to rnin,' returned the
landlord.
What is the ma,ter?' inquired the man -
4 never heard a landlord talk in that way be-
fore.'
1T was the road to ruin to poor Bill Jeu.
kIns. That know too well, and has been
the road 10 ruin of good many more that /
don't like TO think about. It will be your
road 10 ruin if you keep so; SO would ad.
wise you TO stop and think little on the mat
Ter. lfyou want any liquor, you can get it of
jim, at the bar; but had rather not have
your sixpence in my till to day. won't feel
right about it,
whats the matter, landlord What has
put you in this humor!' said the man, who, l.,
turn, became serious.
Hound piece OF paper on the road, as /
walked along just now, and it had something
printed on 1t that has set me 10 thinking.-
That's the matter. All me wish was ia
better business. II does notmake man feel
very pleasant to think, that in building HIM
sell up, ne has dragged others down; and |
am rather afraid that is my position. So go
home, my friend, aud don't lei the sin Of your
ruin be on my conscience. You have got To
loving liquor too well. May be you don't THINK
so ; but know it. have seen great many
men go down the hill, and can tell the first
steps. You have taken them. Stop and
think before you go any farther
Look here, landIord,' said the man, after
Standing thoughtful for few minutes, Il viii!
make bargain with YOU.
Very well--what about p es
II you will quit selling, will quit drinking
Z The landlord did not answer for some min.
utes, but sat with his eyes upon the floor. AT
length, rising up slowly, he extended bis hand
TO his customer, and grasping it firmly, said
Agreed it's hargainr
hearty shake sealed the bargain
An hour afterwards those who went BY the
Punch Bowl saw the bar closed. Aud ia
less than an hour afterwards, the sad-heartei
wife, who had seen her husband walking the
road TO ruin, saw him return as sober as when
he len, and heard with ghdness, his promise
never again toput the cup Of confusion 10 his
Ups.
Thus Il is that truth scattered IN The felis
ND by the road side, finds its way into the