Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-03-28
LEARN TO SAY NO.
BY MRS. F. F. CHAMBERLAIN

dctiVe, lie JOngeu 10 Dagin his part In
the drama of life. The day came on
which he was to leave his childhood's
home. His mothers parting advice was
earnestly given; she said, 81 have
prayed for the blessing of Heaven upon
you-ln life, leave such footprints on
the sands of time as you would wish
your dearest friends to follow. Let the
Bible be your guide, and in every temp
tatlon learn to say no. Ihave embroid-
cred the motto as book-mark fo-you
it is done with strands of my own hair.
Before we meet again all that is mortal
of me, except these few strands. may be
crumbled into dust. Then let the motto
be a reminder of all mother could
counsel loved son."
Young Haskell went to distant city.
His unseen guardian angel went with
him, and the tempter also, and now the
contest for mastery between the two be-
gan.
Well, chum, you've come to the
city in just the right time. This is fair
week, and we clerks can choose any one
day we please to go. There is always
the biggest crowd the day the horses
race. Oh, it's glorious excitement the
way they bet. And then you'll see
more 'blooded stock in one day than
in lifetime of common observation"
They decided to 60 together, and Has
kell felt secure in the thought that he
could not be induced to bet-oh no,
not he.
Look, Charley, here they come see
that arched neck, and how those hoofs
keep time to the music" The ring is
soon filed with spirited mettle, and
hurrah, bet" are sounds that fill the
air. " You bet ten dollars" said the
dark tempter. "Bet nothing" said the
guardian angel. Remember your
prayer, lead me not into temptation
and here you are in the midst of it."
go ahead and run your chance to
make your ten a hundred" said the
dark spirit. Remember the good
prophet Ezekiel says: Behold. there
fore, | have written my hand at thy
dishonest gain which thou hast made,"
said the guardian angel.
Haskell turned to his companion and
said. "IIl leave the crowd. I'll not
take the first step towards being gam
bier"
| SCENE II.
Again the tempter came. "Have a
cigar, Charley, these are royal Havanas.
Quite genteel article" The cigar lay
on the table before him. Be genteeI
and smoke" said dark voice, it's
very social when with a friend to while
an hour away, and forget the cares of
| life in the fragrant weed" "Don't be-
gin,' said mild, sweet monitor. 1T
will introduce a long scale Of physical
evils, and you cannot afford to discount
your time"
"Thank you,' said Charley, 81 do not
wish to learn to smoke. have no de-
sire to die of any Of the nervous diseases
of smokers"
"Hal ha Charley You're quite a
philosopher and Puritan. For my part
I'm not tied to my mothers apron
string, and as we don't go through this
vale of tears but once, I'm bound to
have a good time as 60 along. Good
by, Puritan Charlie"
Evil communications corrupt good
manners" said Charles. some cannot
smoke without spitting-the latter is
certainly considered ill-mannered, and
the former a bad habit"
SCENE III.
Months passed and New Years came.
| The tempter this time was as beautiful
as the tabled Helen.
"Here is wine, old and rare papa
only opens it for festive occasions like
this. Take it as pledge of good wishes
for the coming year."
Said the inner dark voice, "Drink,
you simpleton; don't offend the fairest
friend you have, just for one swal-
| low: :" Touch not, taste not, handle
not" said sweet still voice, " for at
last it biteth like serpent and sting
eth like an adder" The frosty air of
the winters morning seemed to watt
from his childhood's home" learn to
say no."
THANK you, Miss Emma, 1 have
never yet tasted anything that can in
toxicate, and will not begin. But 1
wish you joy, pure, like the crystal of
yonder empty glass, and may your life
never be shaded by sorrow, deep hued
as the wine of this goblet
With courteous bow he left the rich
apartment.
Three temptations had crossed Has
kell's life, and not without mental
conflict had he come off victor. The
step once taken in right direction, it
is more easy to follow it up. To-day
Haskell is an honorable man, and his
companion of the horse race and CT
CARS, makes selfingulgence his first
care, and is loved as much in a decreas-
ing ratio as is Haskell in an increasing
one.
Boys, learn to say no, not from policy
but principle. Don't say it in sickly,
feeble way, and by the tones of your
voices give others to understand "rll
say yes, if you will urge me little"
Let it be round, clear and distinct
NO as well defined and sparkling as
the full moon. A heather moralist
once said, sit is not because things are
difficult that we dare not undertake
them" Boys of the nineteenth GEN.
fury, what is it then? Is not self gl att
fcation the principal root of all the
evils? Dare to do right, be bold Of
spirit, but gentle in manner. Say no
to trifes of sin as well as to fragrant
transgressions. Let your inner and
outer life be at peace, and in the
end merit the higher eternal life
Interior.