Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-29
HARRl'S ANTI-sOCIETY.

1t was startling sight that met Mrs.
Goodwius eyes on Tuesday afternoon as she
crossed Sixth Avenue and turned into Four
teenth Street on her way toward home.
" Could il be2" She hastily brushed aside
her veil Yes there was her own boy, Harry,
walking along the street with James VIII
iams, each putting a cigar Both boys were
young, bright and intelligent looking. Mrs.
Goodwin stood moment in blank astonish-
ment--her boy smoking! And what other
bad habits might he not have contracted, all
unknown to her? Harry passed on without
seeing her, but she faneied he looked pale
aud i'll.
The mother want hnmn with bnrdened
heart She had trusted her son believed
that be had been frank and confding toward
her. Was this the FIRST cigar? Had he been
tempted to taste Of the intoxicating cup also ?
Mrs Goodwin was judicious mother; she
watched Harry anxiously that evening, but
said nothing about what she had seen in the
afternoon She was earnestly considering
how she could best accomplish the object she
had in view.
Wednesday afternoon Harry returned from
school earlier than usual. As he entered the
library where his mother was sitting she
greeted him with a smile, saying
" | was hoping you would get home earl Y,
Harry. was going out aud wanted COM
pany."
Harry made some vague reply which at
tractcd Mrs. Goodwin's attention She saw
his face was serious and troubled. Harry
turned to his writing table, and soon COM
watched his grave face At length she rose,
and went softly toward him. She laid her
hand gently on his shoulder
Harry"
The boy looked up and met his mothers
loving glance.
What is the trouble, Harry ?"
I'm forming an Anti-Society," said he,
with an impctuosity which would have amused
his mother, had she not known instinctively
that it resulted from deep, suppressed feeling.
"Aah means against What are you
against ."
" Mother, | am against smoking, swearing
aud drinking"
A rush Of joy came to the mothers heart.
She leaned over and pressed her lips upon the
boys open brow, and silently thanked God
that he was saved. Then she sat down beside
him.
&" Now tell me all about it, Harry"
We'll, mother, Of course | know that
smoking and drinking and swearing are bad
habits; but ever so many real nice boys in
our school do these things, aud they are al
ways asking me to take cigar or something,
and laugh at me because | don't. Yesterday
| did smoke a cigar-and sick enough it made
me, too-and at recess james Williams gave
us boys some kind of wine or spirit he brought
to school in bottle, and we all talked as
know is wrong. But, mother, isn't it dread
iul2 james was found drunk in a grog-
shop last evening-really drunk. Our teach
er told US about it just before school closed.
And want to sign pledge to help me to
keep from drinking and smoking See,
mother, this is my Constitution"
And Harry read aloud; " Whereas drink
ing intoxicating liquor does not do any good
and leads to drunkenness and Whereas to
swear is sin against God aud whereas to
chew and smoke are useless and filthy practi-
ces therefore, in order the more effoctually
to keep free from these vices, do, praying
for the Divine blessing and help, form myself
luto u soclcly 10 Dc Culleu lno Anti-tooclelyi
and bind myself to observe strictly the pledges
contained in the following articles;
81, | will not drink anything that intoxi-
Gates.
H. | will not take the name of the Lord
in vain; nor make use of vile or profane
language,
Ill. will not use tobacco in any form.
(Sgnedl HARRY GOODWIN"
+" An excellent pledge, my son, said Mrs.
Goodwin, "only you should have hundred
names signed to it instead of yours only"
And they talked over the matter together.
The next day at recess Harry collected the
boys of his class together, and said
+" | hold in my hand the constitution of a
new temperance society, called the Anti-So-
ciety My name is already down. Shall |
read it2 All who are in favor, say Ay.'
Gay, ay,n ran round the circle.
Harry read it slowly and distinctly. A
deep silence followed. The boys looked at
each other with sober, questioning faces.
my name is down." repeated Harry, as
he placed the paper on which the pledge was
written upon the desk before him. "Who
will join2"
Another moments silence; and then Jam0s