New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-07-22
WASHING SHEEP.

The following story, which has been told some
time ago. though it has never appeared to any
extent in print, is decidedly rich
Once upon a time, when the subject Of tenn
perance was being freely discussed, the citizens
Of little town in the western part of Massa-
ehusetts called @ meeting to talk over the mat
ter. There had never been temperance co.
ciety in the place, but after some little discus
sion it was voted to form one They drew up
pledge of total abstinence, and agreed that if
any member Of the society broke it he should be
turned out
Before the pledge was accepted Deacon D.
rose and said he had one objection to it; he
thought Thanksgiving Day ought to be free for
the members to take something, as he could rel
izh his dinner much better at this festival if he
took HE glass Of wine.
MIR L. thought the pledge was not perfect
He didn't care anything about Thanksgiving,
but his family always made a great account of
Christmas, and he couldn't think of sitting down
to dinner then without something TO drink. He
was willing to give it up On all other days, and,
| in fact, that was the only time he cared any
thing bout it.
Mr.. T. next rose, and said he agreed with the
other speakers, except in the time. He didn't
think much of Thanksgiving or Christmas,
though he liked little at any time. There
was one day, however, when he must have it,
and that was on the 4th of July He always
/
that occasion, and he wouldn't gn the pledge
if it prevented him from celebrating Indepen-
dence
Squire s, an old farmer, followed Mr. B.
He was not in the habit Of taking anything
often, but must have some when he washed his
sheep. He would sign the pledge ii it would
give him the privilege Of imbibing when he
washed sheep Why. he considered it danger
ous for him to keep his hands in cold water with
out something to keep him warm inside.
After some consideration it was concluded
that each member of the society should take his
own occasion TO drink-Deacon D. on Thanks
giving. l. on Christmas, etc. The pledge was
iourned in ahourishing condition, after it should
be the duty of the members to watch each other,
to see that they did not break the pledge.
The next morning Deacon D walked to his
neighhor's yard, who. by the way, was Mr. s.,
the sheep man, wondering, as it was bitter
cold morning, whether S was yet up. He met
his neighbor coming cut of the house, and, to
his surprise, gloriously drunk-or, to use a
very modern phrase, " burning very beautiful
, kiln .
"sWhy. s." exclaimed the astonished Deacon
q what does this mean, sir You have broken
your pledge, and disgraced our society and the
temperance cause
Not-hc-as you know no-hic-Deaoon,
haint- --hic-broke the-hic pledge, Deacon. "
Certainly you have, sir, and | shall report
you to the society. You agreed not to drink
except when you wash sheep. You cannot make
me think you are going to wash such cold day
as this"
Follow me, Deacon"
S started for the bnrn and the Deacon fol
lowed On entering the door the Deacon saw q
large wash-tub standing on the floor, with al
old ram tied 10 it., the poor animal shaking
dreadfully with cold. and bleating pitifully.
" "IIic-there, D.deacon," said S, pointing II
the sheep with an air of triumph, '' that old
hic-ram has been washed six times this-hic-
morning, and I-hic-ain't done with him-hi(
yeti
The Deacon mizzled,