Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-12-23

Mrs. Hartford "but just 60 and make
yourself spruce, and 60 out with Fred
this once We may never meet together
on Christmas day again, you know"
"Look at Fred's Coat-what a beautyw
cried Susie, as Fred took it from peg be-
hind the door,
"Why, Fred, you look as though you
were getting on in the world said his
father. How did you manage to get that
and your watch too?"
"You must know / haven't spent
farthing of my wages on them," said
Fred.
"Then how in the world did you get
themg"
THE price of half pint of beer day
for nearly three years got these for me"
said Fred. "All the fellows at our place
are allowed half pint day. told
master that I'd rather not have any, and
if he liked to make me any allowance for
my not having it he might; or I'd just
leave it, and say nothing about an allow
ance He said he liked to encourage
young fellows to be abstainers, and allow
ed me three halfpence day. That has
been faithfully given me for about two
years and nine months, and has been
something like six pounds five shillings
in my pocket. With that, you see, have
been well able to buy my watch and coat,
and to send home some little Christmas
gifts last year, as well as to bring these"
Who'd ever ha' thought that three
halfpence day saved would have run up
to that in less than three years?" said Mr..
Hartford, thinking dolefully of the many
pence, and not only pence, but sixpences,
he had spent day after day during that
time and for years before-sixpences that
made many pounds, which would have
bought him coats, watch and perhaps
house too-so many had he squandered.
Ned was trying to do sum of the same
kind in mental arithmetic, though with
lower figures than those which came to
his fathers mind and both began series
of self-reproachings, and both felt that
they had been foolish in the highest de-
gree.
you did well--you did WELL Fred"
said his father with sigh
Then Mr.. Hartford and his children
Mrs. Hartford seemed much surprised to
see her husband returning with the rest,
and she hustled about with u glad heart
to get her Christmas dinner, justas in the
happy days of long, long ago.
Mr.. Hartford managed to eat pretty
good meal, and felt the better for it.
When it was over, and oranges and other
good things brought by Fred were being
discussed, his listless dir quite passed
away, and he playfullv helped the child
rem to make wonderful things with orange
peel By-and-by he leaned back in his
chair and said, 81 can't believe it's me sit
ting here at home like this - something
like the poor fellow as our parson was
reading of this morning, as was sitting
clothed in his right mind +"
All Il does me good to see you, said
his wife with glstening eyes.
He looked down at his coat to avoid her
glance, and said, "This may look tidy
missis, but it don't keep the cold out; |
was regular nipped coming home from
chapel
"You ought to have great-coat like
Freds,' she replied "You might easy
get one, as he did, afore next winter
"What save three half-pence q day
Course could, and I'll begin he said.
"But did something more than that,
father said Fred "If hadn't, might
lust have gone on saving for a month or
two, and then let it all go"
what did you doH"
"Why, | Just kept right away from the
public houses They re the places to keep
one from having a coat to ones back; they
strip you, if you frequent them but they'll
never clothe you You'll begin to save
! three halfpence q day for grcat-coat
father, as you say but will you do thai
other thingY If you only would, I'll tel
you what you'd get besides. Why, gooc
boots, good hat, watch in your pocket
clothes for the youngsters, good food anC
plenty of it, a comfortable, happy home
and wife, health of body, and clear ant
peaceful mind"
"Surely, surelyr chimed in Mrs, Har
ford, in half sad halt.hopeful tone
And only one thing robs you ofall that
father. You know what it is, and how Il
conquer II. too; out minister told it all 81
beautifully this morning. God gives tn
victory over all evil, through our Lor,
, Jesus Christ. Only we must not be still
and leave the Sighting to our Captain; W
must strive and struggle hard to overcome
relying on His help You remember tina
he said all that, htherY'
"Yes, | minded it we'll 1t seemed a
for me thought then, If | could onl
, begin striving might overcome. Other
hundreds and thousands of others
! have fought against this cursed habit c
/ drinking, and overcome il,
$50 may YOU said Ms HarforI
"Why, you've begun already, jane
Think YOU haven't had a drop to-day
All you've got to do Is just TO go on
G you've begun, that's all.
"That'll be enough, guess, as the day
' 90 on. Still, folks say as The first step
r the hardest, and I've taken the first, 20
!. say"
$ "Yes, yes"
t "Ah, and feel it too. Fred, my boz
Y If we ali live till next Christmas We
1 have dinner of our own buying, pleas