The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-10-05
Bill Johnson's Pledge.

! ~~ AcNSC.
Rev John Abbot, the sailor preacher
used to relate the following:-
During the last war with Great Brit
ain an American soldier expressed q
strong desire TO have an opportunity of
displaying his valor, but when the oppor-
tunity offered itself, he was the first to
seek a hding-placc, His eye caught
sight Of an old hollow tree, in which he
snugly enseoncod himself and watched
the movements of the red coats through
a knot hole, with the same interest that
Texan lover did, when he beheld his
gal sewing her bcar-skin petticoats,
though with very different feelings,
At last when they passed, he sighed,
II hope every ono Of thom will be taken
prisoners p'
His whole heart was in the cause, like
many people who say they are friends of
temperance; but when kindly solicited
to lend the influence Of their names and
examples to the good cause, they ad
vance reasons for refusing to do so, a.
futile and cowardly as the soldier Of hol-
low tree memory.
Mr.. Abbot concluded with the story
Of Bill johnson who was raised from the
pit of inebriation through his instrumen.
tality Mr.. johnson, at the close Of a
cold water lecture. intimated that he
must be permitted to sign the pledge in
his own way, which he did in these
words
Il William johnson, pledge myself to
drink no intoxicationg liquor for one
year" Some thought ho wouldn't stick
three days, others allowed him week ;
and few gave him two weeks but the
landlord knew him best and said be was
good stuff but at the end Of the year
Bill would be on a real bender.
Before the year was quite gone, Mr.
johnson was asked by Mr.. Abbot, '3ill
amt you going to renew the pledge ?
, We'll, | don't know, Jack but what
will | have done pretty we'll so far, will
you let me sign it again my own way :
%, yes, any way, 50 that you won't drink
rum
lie writes, Il, William johnson, sigr
this pledge fer nine hundred and ninety
nine years, and if living at the end @.
that time, intend to take out a lease
, for life
f A day or two after, Johnson went tC
: see his old landlord who Dyed him as
= hawk does q chicken. 'Oh landlord
wnined Bill, accompanied With sundr,
extortions of the bod i, as if enduring til,
J most egcrutiating torments, j have suci
lump on my left side That's be
S cause you havo stopped drinking yol
wont live two years longer at this rate
, III [ commence drinking will the lumT
=, go awayl' Yes. If you don't you vii
! have another just such lump, on th'
, other aide DO you think so, landlordl
} Il know it. you will have them on you
l arms, back, breast and head you will b,
- covered all over with Jumps We'll
s may be | will said Bill.
5 Come Bill, said the landlord, let
, drink together : at the same time pour
I, ing out the red stuff from dccanter in
r to his glasses, gug, gug, gug. No sai'
= johnson, Il can't for l have signed tn
) pledge again.. You, hain't though
You're a fool Yes, that old sailo
coaxed so hard I couldn't get off, :
3 wish the devil had that old rascal WEI
how long do you go this time 9 'Fo
5 nine hundred and ninety-nine years
4 whimpcrod Bill You wont live year
c We'll, if drink, arc you sure the lump
t on my side will 90 awayP Yes Wei
5 | guess won't drink, here's the lump
9 continued Bill, holding up something
0 with hundred dollars in it, 'and yo,
) say I'll have more such lumps-that'
r what | want p