Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-26

at was the pledge not to drink wine or rum.
or anything that has alcohol in it. except as a
medcine,) that | signed" said Margaret, as
they turned from the crowded sidewalk into a
more quiet street that led to their home a few
minutes after.
"oh sister why didn't you put our names
down z"
:" 1t was only for those over twelve years Of
age; and neither of you is so oldo
: But he SAID little children ought to be 'tem-
perance,'" urged Rose. " | don't see why he
don't let them write their names too!n
There will be children's society, perhaps"
SAID Margaret as they reached home She
stopped on the steps, and rang the bell
Don't say anything to your father about
this" she whispered
The next Sabbath was a beautiful dav of
summer Rose and Abby went to their Sab
bath-school class, and to church, and then sat
down at home to read their library books.
They could not read much, however, there
was such noise in the room at one sde--ther
fathers parlor. They had seen five or six men
go in there, and had seen the maid bring up O
great many bottles from the cellar They sat
talking sadly with each other, or looking out
of the window for Margaret, who was away,
having gone to Bible class.
ooh, what wicked men, to laugh so on Sun
day! exclaimed little ADby.
"Hush; be still, Abby; pa is calling us!n
MIR. l. had rung his bell violently three
times, with no success, as the girl who had
waited on the band thinking they would want
no more wine for while, had stolen bottle
herself, and sneakcd off with it under Ler
shawl, to share it with u married sister, who
lived in a neighboring street.
Mr.. L. impatently called his children.
They came timidly into the room, where the
rude, tipsy companions of their father were
riotng and swearing. Some were tipped back
in their chairs, with their feet higher than their
heads; others were tossing their arms about
laughing shrilly, making most foolish speeches,
or using great, swelling oaths; some were drink
ing the last dregs of the empty bottles that
strewed the table One, young man, lay, hic-
cuping and suffering on lounge evidently too
far gone to sit up. Their father did not look
so drunk as the rest; but his face was red and
angry, and his breath was fiery with the fumes
of spirit, as he told them to go down into a
certain cellar-giving them the key-and
bring each as many bottles as she could carry.
"Ca-can't you br-bring four bottles apiece!"
he called after them.
ayes, pa" Rose answered, family.
As they went down stairs, through the wide
hall, Abby whispered to her sister
"Oh, Rose ! am afraid he'll make me drink
| ale can't make me! :" Rose said, very firm
| ly. "Don't you know what the little girl there
sung?"
| And both, who were accustomed to singing
songs together, joined in the chorus, as they
went slowly from step to step
"No-no-no-no
| III never drink any more"
The echoes rang through the hail. startling
the house cat, who lay mapping on the rug be-
fore the door. They did more: they reached
the ears of the father, in the midst of his rev.
elling companions; and they startled him. as
nothing had startled him since Charley's
death
Howl Was he fallen so low as to be re-
proved, taught, by his very children-hs own
despised neglected little girls? He leaned his
head on his hands and tried to clear it from
the mist of drunkenness. He seemed to hear
his blessed wife's tone in that clear sound of
singing. 1t was as though the sky had opened
above him, and Charley and Charleys mother,
two angels all in white, had looked down on
him. and hidden him aeCer drink any morel"
"I neUer wiH!n he solemnly exclaimed,
within his heart, atthat moment. He started
up; but recollecting himself he sat down, just
as his pale, sad sorrowful-looking little girls
came back with their arms full Of the bottles
he had demanded. He could not look in their
faces nor speak to them, but motioned to them
to 90 out. He then uncorked the bottles, and
passed them to his guests, excusing himself
from taking any more He did not touch an
other drop.
That night he did not sleep an hour. Early
the next morning he went out, found and
signed the pledge of Total abstinence from
all that can intoxicated"
Margaret was looking sad, when he came
again to his home Poor girl, she saw nothing
but ruin before her father and his whole fam
Iilv. He sat down by her side, and spoke to
her more affectionately than he had done for
months.
margaret, my daughter" he said, in q
trembling voice, III have made promise
which, by Gods help, will keep till my dying
day.
She looked up, bcwildered-afraid to believe
what she most wished on earth.
IL have signed the Ptedge!' he said, looking
firmly in her face.
ooh, father !" she began, lifted her hands,
clasped them together; and turning instantly
away, she began to cry aloud, like a little child.
Rose and Abby came running in, with their
school bonnets on their heads, ready to go out
They did not know what to make of their quiet
sober sisters unaccountabe behaviour.
They had not much time for wondering for
their father, with a look of love in his face that
had never fallen on them before, caught them
both in his arms and drawing them to his
heart, exclaimed
"My children my angels you have saved
your father
And, bending his head over them, the strong
man wept as babe.
ooh, God forgive mel he exclaimed, at
last. brokenly. II IhaUe enough TO ttUe for!H
That pledge was kept-that family is happy!