The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-09-21
MWEGDR0W&a
BILL JOHNsON's PLEDGE.

a GOOD OLD STORY REsTOLD ANEW.
4 Rev. ] ohm Abbott, the sailor preach
s.er, used to relate the following:
During the last war with Great Brit
ain, en- American soldier expressed q
strong desire to have an opportunity
Of displaying his valor, but when the
opportunity offered itself, he was the
first to seek hiding place. His eye
caught the sight of an old hollow tree,
(which he snugly ensconced himself
! and watched the movements Of the red
coats through knot hole, with the
same Interest that Texan lover did
when he beheld his gal sewing her bear
5skin petticoats, though with very differ
q $ent feelings.
~ AT last, when they passed he sighed,
tlhope every one of them will be taken
prisoners
His whole heart was in the ca,tse,
like many people who say they are
friends of temperance; but when kind
ly solicited to lend the influence of
theirnames and examples to the good
cause, they advance reasons for refusing
to do SO, are fitile and .cowardly as the
4 soldier of hollow tree memory.
Mr.. Abbot concluded with the story
of Bill Johnson, who was raised from
the pit of inebriation through his in
strumentality.
Mr.. johnson, at the close of cold
water lecture, intimated that he must
bepermitted to sign the pledge in his
own way, which he did in these words:
I,William Johnson, pledge myself to
drink no intoxicating liquor for one
year Some thought he wouldn't stick
three days, others allowed him q week;
and few gave him two weeks, but the
landlord knew him best, and said he
was good stuff, but at the end of the
year Bill would be real bender.
Before the year was quite gone, Mr..
johnson was asked by Mr.. Abbot,
Bill, amt you going to renew the
pledge?'
SWELL, I don't know Jack, but what
| will; | done pretty we'll SO far. Will
you let me sign itagain my own way?'
90, yes, any way, SO that you won't
drink rum
He writes, q, William Johnson, sign
this pledge for nine hundred and nine
ty-nine years, and if living at the end
of that time, | intend to take out
lease for life
A day or two after Johnson wcntt to
see his old landlord, who eyed him rs
q hawk does chicken. 'Oh landlord!'
whined Bill, accompanied with sundry
contortions Of the body, as il enduring
the most cxcruciating tormcnts, Ihave
such lump on my left side.'
That's because you have stopped
drinking you won't live two years
longer at this rate
lf | commence drinking, will the
lump go away?'
@sYes. If you don't you will have
another such lump on the other side
isDo you think SO landlords
q know it; you will have them OH
your arms, back, breast and head; you
will be covered all over with Jumps.
We'll, may be | will, said Bill
Como Bill, said the landlord, lets
drink together at the same time pour
ing out.the red stuff from dccantcr
into5his glasses, gug, gug, gug.
Mo, said Johnson, i can't, for have
signed the pledge again.
'You hain't though! You're fool
Yes, that old sailor coaxcd so hard
Icould'nt get off,
Il wish the devil had that old rascal
Well, how long do you 60 this time?'
'For nine hundred and ninety nine
years. whispered Bill.
EYou won't live year.
sWell, if drink, are you sure the
lump on my side will so away?'
'Yes.'
well, | guess I won't drink; here's
the lump continued Bill holding up
something with hundred dollars in it,
sand you say l'll have more such Jumps
that's what want
:5,. --S~~cr-~--. 100. .-~~~~>-.r~
IS them fellers alive now p said an
,irnhfn IN hic fao obar tIVhat fe11ors do