The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-05
PART III.

PART H.
Sister" said Rose to Margaret, one day.
please, why won't you buy me that muslin
dress for examination -
My DEAR" said Margaret, sadly {" have
no money for new dresses now"
But why don't pa give you some, ike he
used to ~
Z" rs he used to, my dear, you should say"
Eyes what makes pa SO cross and curious 4"
said little Abby, coming up to them. The
other day he made me sit up in his lap, and
drink some of that bad medicine he drinks all
the time | didn't like it bit Then, by and
by, he pushed me right away, and let me fall
on the floor, and told me to 90 along off and
let him alone Margie, what ails pa
Margaret had stopped the fine stitching
which She had been holding close to her eyes,
and had leaned her face on her hand. Rose
and Abby were surprised to see tears flowing
down her cheeks. They had never seen her
cry before, except after mother and little Char
ley died They felt like crying too, from SYM
pathy and little Abby threw her arms around
her neck, and Rugged her with all her little
might, to coax her " not to feel so bad
Margaret very soon wiped her eyes, lifted
her head, and looked kindly on them.
II cannot tell you new dear children she
said, family go TO school, be good girls,
and tonight You shall go with me to hear
lecture and perhaps you will find out what is
the matter with our poor dear papa!P
Rose and Abby went away wondering and
wondered on until evening. Then, their sister
dressed them in their Sunday frocks and bon
nets, and took them out with her, to a large
Hall, which they found crowded almost to over
| flowing with people.
gentleman soon got up, aud began talking
very earnestly to the people Rose and Abby
listened very eagerly but could not hear much
at first, the people kept laughing so often and
then stamping with their feet; while others,
though only few, tried to hiss. At last, the
crowd became more silent; the lecturer began
to initiate a poor drunken man, staggering
about the stage, talking thick, and suffering
| being then suddenly he straig htened himself
up, and turning his eyes full on his audience,
exclaimed
"Who, that can be man, will make HIM
self brute like that A brute like men who
are stumbling about your own city streets, just
for the sake of the drink that is deadly fire TO
the body and to the soul! Don't say to your
selves, I / don't drink vulgar gin and rum
have my wine and brandy Poson-soul-
poison is in both and he who begins with the
one in the parlor, may look well to his steps,
lest he end with the other in the gutter"
Rose and Abby looked timidly around at
their sister Margaret had dropped her thick
black veil over her eyes They thought they
felt her trembling, and wondered if she could
be crying again, there in meeting, too. But
they turned their heads quickly again, for the
man had begun to talk to children
He told them Of the good one little child
might do--of the good many children had done
in coaxng their fathers or brothers to sign the
Total Abstinence Pledge. He talked to them
of the danger they ran, if they ever formed the
habit of tasting the poison and begged them
and warned them never to suffer drop to pass
their lips. 49,, 49,.
After he had finished he led little girl for
ward on the stage, who was not much larger
than Abby She was very sweet singer; her
voice rang out like young birds, AZ she sang
a temperance song 1t was the language OF
drunkard who is signing the pledge. Every
verse ended with these words: