Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1853-02-21
Washing Sheep.

Washing Sheep.
A few years since, when the subject
of temperance was being freely discussed,
the citizens Of little town in the western
part of Massachusetts, called meeting
to talk over the matter. There had never
been temperance society in that place,
but after some little discussion, it was vo-
ted 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. arose and said he had one objection to
it; be 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 a glass of
wine.
Mr.. L. thought that the pledge was not
perfect. He didn't care anything about
Thanksgiving but his family always made
greataccount of Christmas, and he cold'nt
think of sitting down to dinner then with.
out something to drink. He was willing
to give it up on all other days, and, in
fact, that was the only time when he cared
anything about it.
Mr.. B. next arose, and said he agreed
with the other speakers except the time.
He didn't think much of Thanksgiving or
Christmas, though he liked lite any
time. There was one day, however, when
he must have it, and that was the Fourth
of July. He always calculated upon hav-
ing regular drink on that occasion, and
he wouldn't sign the pledge if it prevented
him from celebrating 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 some
thing to keep him warm inside.
After some consideration it was con-
cluded that each member of the society
should take his own occasion to drink
Deacon D. on Thanksgiving, Mr.. L. on
Christmas, etc. The pledge was signed
by a large number, and the society ad-
journed in fourishing condition, after
voting that 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
into his next neighbor's yard, who, by
the way, was Mr. S., the sheep man, Won
dering, as it was bitter cold morning,
whether S. was up yet. He met his neigh
Dor coming out of the house, and, to his
surprise, gloriously drunk, or to use a
modern phrase, burning very beautiful
kiln t
! Why So exclaimed the astonIshed
Deacon, what does this mean, sir You
have broken your pledge, and disgraced
our society and the temperance cause
Not-hic--as you knows on--hic-
Deacon said S., 4 Observation-Disclosures
the pledge, Deacon,
! Certainly you have, sir, and | shall
report you to the society. You agreed not
to drink except when you washed sheep.
You can not make me think you are 60
ing to wash sheep such cold day as this.
/ iF-follow me-hic-Deacon.'
S. started for the barn, and the Dea-
con followed On entering the door, the
Deacon saw large wash tub standing on
the floor, with an old ram tied to it, the
, poor animal shaking dreadfully with the
cold, and bleating pitifully.
/ sHic--there, D-d-deaeon, said 5. point
ing to the sheep with an air of triumph,
that old-hic--ram has been washeds-six
times this--hic-morning, and l-hic-
! amt done with him-hic-yet.'
1t is hardly necessary to say that the
Deacon mizzled.