The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-03-03

WASHING SHERP.-A few years since,
when the subject Of Temperance was being
freely discussed, the citizens of u little town
in the western part Of Massachusetts, called
n meeting TO talk over the matter. There
had never been a temperance sooie y in that
place, but after some little discussion, it was
voted to form one. They drew up Il pledge
of total abstinence, and agreed that If any
member oGthe suciety broke il, he should be
turned out.
Before The pledge was accepted, Deacon
ID. arose and said he had one objection to
ii; he thought that Thanksgiving day ought
to be free for the members to take some
thing, as he could relish his dinner much
better at this festival if he took u glass OF
wine.
Mr.. l.. thought that the pledge was not
perfect. He didn't care any thing about
Thanksgiving bu, his family always made a
great account Of Christmas, and he couldn't
think OF sitting down 10 dinner then without
something to d,ink. He was willing TO give
it up OH all other days, and, in fact, thai was
the only time when lie cared anything about
il.
Mr.. B. next arose, and said he agreed
with the other speakers except the time
He didn't think much Of Thanksgiving OF
Christmas, though he liked a little any time
There was one day, however, when he must
have il, and that was the Fourth of July
He always calculated upon having a 'regu-
lar drink on that occasion, aud he wouldn't
sign the pledge il il prevented him lro'n Gel
ebrating independence.
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 If it
would give him the privilege of imbibing
when he washed sheep. He considered it
dangerous for him to keep his hands in cold
water without something to keep him warm
inside.
After some consideration it was conclud-
ed that each member of the society should
take his W occasion to drink-Dcucon ID.
on Thanksgiving, Mr.. l.. on Christmas, etc.
The pledge was signed by n large number,
and tie society adjourned in Il flourisbing
condition, after voting that il should be The
duty Of the members to watch each other Ia
see that they did not break the pledge.
The next morning Deacon d. walked into
his next neighbours yard, who, by the way
was Mr.. s., the sheep man, wondering, II:
t was a bitter cold morning, whether 8. was
up yet. He met his neighbor coming out o
the house, and, to his surprise gloriously
drunk, or to use u modern phrase, burning
Il very beautiful kiln
why s.! exclaimed the astonished Dea
con, what does this mean, sir! You havl
broken your pledge, and disgraced our soci
ETY. and the temperance cause
'Not-hic-ns you knows on-hic-Dea
con- said s., | Observation-Disclosures TIT
pledge, Deacon
Certainly you have, sir, and | shall report
you to the society. You agreed not TO drinl
except when you wnshed sheep. You cal
not make me think that you ARE going t.
wash sheep such a culd day as dis
'F-follow me-hic-Deacon.'
s. started for the barn, and the Deacon
followed. On entering the door, the Dca'
con saw a large wash tub standing in the floor
with an old ran tied to it, the poor ANNA
shaking dreadfully with the cold, and blcat.
ing pItirully.
'Hic-there, D-d-dcncon,' snid s., point
ing to the sheep with an air Of triumph, 'thul
old hic-ram has been washed s-six timel
Notwithstanding, and I--hie--uint donC
with acknowledgement
f 1t is hardly necessary to say that the Dea
con mizzled.