Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1870-03-31
A STRONG TEMPTATION.
By WILMA eRoDNO.

/ Nh1 o lkAh lAA INV ~ NAAN % NV fe@ffN
camille establishments of Ney
York, An orphan, and poor. IL
must rise, if he rose at all, by hi
own exertions. His handsome
honest face, and free, cordial man
ner, won him the friendship Of al
his fellow -laborers, and many wert
the invitations he received to joir
them in the club-room, in the thea
tire, and even the bar-room. BuI
Alfred Harris had the pure teach
ings of a Christian mother to with
hold him from rushing headlong
into dissipation and vice, and all
persuasions of his comrades could
not induce him to join them in
scenes like this. He feared the
consequences.
One evening, one of his fellow
clerks, George Warren, the most
high. toned and moral one among
them, invited Alfred to go home
with him to supper and make the
acquaintance of his family. The
boy gladly assented, for he spent
many lonely evenings, with only
his books and his thoughts for
company.
Hefound his friends family very
social and entertaining. Mrs. War
rem, the mother, was a pleasant,
winning, I might almost say, fasci-
mating woman; one of the kind
whose every little speech seems of
consequence, and whose every act,
praiseworthy. Mr. Warren was a
CHEEKY, social gentleman, fond of
telling stories, and amusing young
people And Georges sister, Jes-
sie-how shall ! describe her? A
girl about Alred's own age, a half
bashful, half-saucy, dimpled-faced,
rosy-cheeked maiden, sparkling
with wit and pleasantly, and pretty
enough for any young man to fall
in love with at first sight.
This was Mr.. Warren's family,
and it was no wonder that Alfred
was charmed with them. They
were not very wealthy people, but
were in easy circumstances, and on
promising road to fortune. AL
fred very soon felt as well acquaint
ed with them all as if he had known
them for years The supper was
delicious, especially to a boy whose
small salary could afford him only
the plainest living.
After supper wine was brought
in. Mrs. Warren poured it out
herself, and with q winning smile
passed a glass of the sparkling liq,
uid to their guest. Alfred took it
with some hesitation, but did not
raise il to his lips. Each Of the
family held glass, waiting to
pledge their visitor. But Alfred
feared to drink. He set the COB
let on the table, while burning flush
overspread his face.
"What! do you not drink wine ="
asked Mrs Warren, in her pleasant
tones.
II have been taught not to
drink it," said Alfred.
"You have had good teaching, !
doubt not" said the lady, "and |
honor you for respecting 1t, but l
think it makes a difference where
and in what company you take it.
l should not be willing for George
to 90 into a bar room in company
with dissipated young men, and
call for wine, but at at home, in the
family circle, it is different. A
moderate use Of wine never hurts
any one. 1t is only when carried
to excess that it is injurious. YOU
had better drink yours. So little
as that will not hurt you"
Jessie was sitting by Alfred. She
took up the glass he had set on
the table and gave it to him with a
charming smile.
Drink it for my sake" she
said.
Again he took the goblet in his
hand. The glowing wine was tempt
ing, but the faces around him were
more tempting still, He raised it
toward bis lips. But at that mo-
ment there rose up before him
pale, sweet face, with pleading eyes
the face of his mother in heaven.
The boy laid down the glass with a
firm hand, and with firm tones he
said:
IL cannot drink it. 1t was my
mothers dying request that |
should never taste of wine, and if |
disregard it now, | fear greater
will follow. You must
pardon my seeming discourtesy, but
cannot drink il"
A silence fell upon the little cir
Gle. None spoke for several min
utes.
Then Mrs. Warren raid, in a
voice choked with emotion
"Forgiye me, my boy, for tempt
ing you to violate your conscience.
Would that all young men wotild
show as high a sense of duty
Every one of the family put down
their wine untasted.
"The boy is right" said Mr. War
rem. drinking wine leads to deep
er potations. We have done wrong
in setting such an example before
our children. "Here, Ellen" he
called to the servant, "take away
this decanter,"