Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-30
The Temptation.

Past twelve O'Clock sang out the watch
man, as young Delamere staggered down Lib
er,y Street towards his lodgings. His attire
was of the finest material, but form there was
none. He had been drinking, and had fallen
once or twice, so that his elegant toilet was
now most indignantly disarranged. Still he
was no. drank, by no means. 1t was the
street commissioner fault, there being so many
obstacles in the way. How could lamps burn 10
such a smoky atmosphere? He would COM
plain to the mayor, to morrow morning, and
have Watchy removed for insulting him.
Show him to his lodgings lie was paid to
mind his own business, and not for troubling
gentlemen. The watGhman, however, guided
him home, assisting him in finding the key
hole and departed, singing Justify, Pas:
twelve O'Clock, and cloudy morning !"
Late in the morning Delamere woke with 4
bad headache-a parching thirSt--a sense Of
weakness-lone,incss The boarders were all
gone out. The servants were busy. lie
washed in cold water, drank copiously OF the
healthy beyera9e-met the land!ady in the
hall, who, instead of scolding, mildly said:-
Il am glad your mother dId not see you
last night
So am T." he lightly said, bu: the express
sion was Ike a dagger in his heart. He was
then an object of pity.
At dinner some of the boarderS jeered him,
some cautioned him, few advised him to per
severe until he became more seasoned. Turn
ing to one who was hi5 friend indeed. he asked
what he world advise in this interesting case.
Sign the pledge" his friend blurtly re-
piled.
This was received with laughter by all the
lest
"Oh! yes said one, singing; ave have no
confidence in your resolution"
Does your mother know you are out'?"
snecred another
THE pledge has magic power" exclaim-
ed q third; at is so much more binding than
your word Of honor"
"Siga,' said his friend earnestly.
"YeS, do" added the IandIady.
al will" he exclaimed, " this very night Of
the meeting"
All was silent, now they knew his resolve
was taken.
How did you get home last nght?' jocu.
larry asked the doggery keeper, as Delamere
passed his door in the evening.
Your business is INTERNAL" replied Della
mere; "you drained me last night of twenty
ed caring not whether | was lodged in the
watch house, or crushed by the locomotive.
How did you treat other victims?"
Boniface was taken a5ack. Had he been
a nan, such a speech would have excited re-
pentancc, or brought on fight, but snch erea-
lures are half friends so he merely remarked,
Come in and take drink: we are all friends
here" .....
Drop the from the word friends" con-
temptuously added Delamere, and you accu-
rately describe yonr crew"
Delamere signed tue pledge, and would have
kept it against all temptations save one. On
earth no influence, save one, could have shaken
his resolve Poor fellow! One beng could
overcome any resolution of his. DeIamere was
in love! One Of the pretteSt and sprightliest
of Ewes daughters had woven net of silk aud
gold around him, and might have led him any
where! This beautiful creature had heard
that her lover had signed the pledge, and was
proof against all temptation, and conceived in
her silly heart the desire to show her influence
over him was paramount
"Take glass of wine with me, Delamere,"
she suddenly said, at party; feel Ia
tigned." -.-... ...... 49,.
My dear, I cannot, in honor; for have
signed the pledge"
Cannot Fiddlesticks! do You think |
would ask you to do anything unreasonable =
Neither of these young creatures were aware
Of the fact, but amidst all of those lamps, dev,
lis awaited the result Good angels gathered
anxiously around the side-board. She drew
him reluctantly to the fatal spot, and while
the feDds gibbered, and the angels made signs
of warning, she poured out the deadly potion.
They drank. In one moment she repented of
her trinmph, for he instantly filed again, say
ing, Drink now to my dshonoFi" Laugh
ingIy he led her to a seat, and poured out all
the eloquence Of lore in praise Of beauty and