Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-18

children, in the furniture Of the dwelling,
and in the air of comfort which pervaded
the place. The story was soon told.
Charles had kept the pledge. 1t was a
terrible struggle with him at first; but he
is a man of strong will and great force OF
purpose: so he perSevered-gave up his
former acauaintanceS-aban the
drinking houses, and stuck to his work.
Youknow CharlesiSa capital workman
the best shoemaker in the place, sir. so
the wages came in on Saturday nights
regularly. We soon redeemed our furnl-
ture and eightdav clock, which lay IN
pledget bought better food and better
clothes and month or two since we re-
moved to this better house We have
now all that we need to make US comforta-
BILE and if Charles persevcres, by Gods
blessing, we shall be an honor to the cause
in this place, sir. Only last night Charles
was speaking of sending the youngest boy
TO school where the others already are
and then we shall be all in the way Of be-
coming wiser and better. Oh, sir, twas
blessed day for us that which brought
you to this place, and led Charles TO take
that pledge 1t has been the making Of
us all And the tears were now stand
ing full in her eyes, and dropping down
her checks. For me, | was quite over
come by her story, and felt more en-
couraged to persevere in the work than
ever | had done before.
Charley soon made his appearance
he had been carrying home some OF his
work. The alteration in his appearance
was so great that | could scarcely have
recognized him; he was clean and well
dressed, and on conversing with him L
found him intelligent and manly-really
fine hearted fellow at bottom, though
his better qualities as a man had so long
been obscured and blighted by the &C
cursed drink We had some delightful
conversation together, and the upshot of
| it was, that a teetotal meeting was de-
! termined on for the following evening.
when Charley was to appear by Inc on
the platform. The meeting took place,
and it was a most successful one. The
ice had been fairly broken, and the cause
now made steady progress in the town.
Years passed, and again visited the
scene of my early labors. | wrote to my
friend Charles that was coming by the
coach on such a day: and as we drove
up to the inn where the coach halted, who
should be there but my friend Charles.
more improved that ever in appearance.
He was now dressed in supertine cloth.
and was as spruce as shop-keeper. He
insisted on carrying my carpet-bag, but |
almost thought it shame to allow him to
do so-it seemed so much beneath his ap-
pearance.
"'You will scarcely know us now, sir:
the good cause has prospered us so much.
Il was surprised, indeed, when he led
me into the market-place; and there point
ing to a sign-board over a respectable
looking shop, | read the words, in gold
letters, Charles Brown, Bootmaker. |
was indeed amazed My astonishment
was increased when, entering his shop,
and passing the valuable stock Of goods
which it contained, | was introduced up
stairs into a comfortable, even handsome
| lv furnished room, where the tea-thingS
were set out upon the table, and Mrs.
Brown was anxiously waiting to give me
a hearty welcome.
Il need not pursue the story further.
Charles Brown is now one of the most re-
spectacle, respected, and thriving inhab-
itants of his native town. Heis owner of
| house and lot: and, what is better, is
himself member of Christian Church:
and | cite him wherever [ 60, as one of
the most memorable and blessed in
stances of the renovating, life-giving, and
happiness-bestowing power of Teetotal-
| ISM"