National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-06-16

mind after Fred had left. She could not
help thinking there WITS some truth in
what he said, and as a lithful member Of
the Sons OF Temperance, she could but feel
some qualNs of conscience at the thought
that she was helping to perpetrate lust.
She had never thought of il in that light
before And besides she liked the deln-
quent Fred more tnan she was willing to
own, and she did not care to offend him
too deeply.
A few days after this tobacco tract ac-
cidentally fell under her notice. She had
previously taken little interest in such
matters, but now she read it with newly
awakened attention. 1t portrayed most
wildly the evil effects OF tobacco, and told
of many horrible results following its use.
Nora had heard little about such things,
and the tract made quite an impression
upon her.
Fred Foster called into the store again
not many days afterwald. Moth-like, he
could not avoid the flame that attracted
him, though his Wings were singed at ev-
cry encounter.
Have YOU come for some more tobacco,
Fred l'i asked Nora. a. he entered.
"Not this time" was the reply.
II am glad of it," said Nora, ''there i,
something that think will do you more
good than all the tobacco in the store, y
ard she handed him the tract which she
had laid away with view to this very
purpose.
Fred looked it over with scorniul
smile. 81 know everything that this tells,
twenty times over" he said, but what
good are these kind of tracts going TO do a
fellow who has acquired such habit as |
have They had better write tracts for
the girls. They are the cause of more than
half the young men forming the habit in
the first place"
"Why Fred " and Nora's countenance
put on woefully grieved expression.
at is so. Hayn't seen YOU offer cigars
to young men and tell what nice flavor
they have You have done it many a
time in this very store, to say nothing OF
the score, of girls who request their gen
tlemen friends to smoke in their presence
as particular favor. They are so fond o.
the aroma"
But never liked to have young man
chew, or smoke more than few cigars, y
said Nora.
80 no." was the response, "it is like a
lady's offering gentleman a glass of wine.
She would be disgusted if he were to get
drunk, or drink rum or brandy but she
takes the very method to make him a
drunkard. Cigars form an appetite for to-
bacco Just as certainly as wine forms =
taste for stronger liquors. A young lady
SAYS To gentleman, o., cigar went hurt
YOU. 1t is very nice. | admire its trag-
rance. So she tempts him with one and
another, until he has formed a habit which
he is unable to leave. Then perhaps he
cannot always get the best and costiest
cigars, and is obliged TO take up with those
of an inferior quality, or even pipe, for
nothing drains the pocket more rapidly
than the use of tobacco, unless it is the use
of liquor.
When man reaches this extremity, or
even goes further and takes up chewing,
then the young lady will say, SLOW filthy +!
How disgusting | didn't mean You
should do that only wanted you to
smoke few cigars ~ You see it is not
principle with these girls. If it was, they
would sacrifice their enjoyment of the
aroma of Gig Is, and discourage young men
from using them.
1t is pure selfiShness. The habit otiends
their taste and so they condemn it, but
tLey don't care fig because it is killing
the young men,"
Nora was leaning on the counter, her
face shaded by her hand, while Fred was
opposite her on the other side CT TIE coun-
ter They were all alone in the store and
the time was between daylight and dark.
BY and by Nora looked up, and Fred saw
the sparkle of tears in her eyes. %
Fred, do you think you could leave Oft
tobacco?"
81 don't know, Nora" he answered, de-
ectedly. "Fm afraid couldn't 1t is a
second nature with me now"
so how wish you would" said Nora,
earnestly. II will tell you what am 90
ing to do. ! am never going to speak in
favor of smoking again, and ! am never
going to sell another ounce OF tobacco or
another cigar l'll leave the store first
And Fred knew that she meant it, We
leaned across the counter and said in an
earnest tone. "Suppose leave the use of
tobacco forever, Nora. Shall not be re-
warded ?"
''You ought not to expect q reward for
doing your duty" said Nora, spritedly ;
''you should do il because it is right"
"But it is SO hard" he sighed, 'if could
only have the hope"
Fred you need not nope ANYTHING"
SAID Nora "A man who will only try to
do right because he thinks he can accom-
pish some tavorte purpose by so doing Is
no man at all. But one who goes brayely
about his duty without asking any reward
but the approval of his own conscience Is
the one who may be surest of thorough
usually win whatever he wishes"
There was peculiar significance in these
last few words that gave Fred hope al
most as strong as he would have asked for,
and he went out of the store with new
resolution in his soul.
Nora remained true to her promise to
discourage the use of tobacco, even to re-
fusing to sell it from the store, until her
father became so incensed that he required
her to leave, and put another in her place.
But she was so firm in her principles that
she was at last the means of her fathers
banishing the weed from the store entirely,
when she was again reinstated in the old
place.
We will not follow Fred Foster through
all the trials of conquering an acquired ap-
petite, but will only say that after many
and severe struggles he accomplished his
purpose. as many another noble man has
done. Then he could thank God that he
Was no longer slave, but free man.
Nora Fielding did not disappolnt his
hopes. She waited antll he had attained
complete victory, and then she gave him
Tho reu-ard he had so cpaycd AT first, her