The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1872-03-07

se t - pas Hu
Charles, win Jon do me a great
favorT'
1t was Irene Gray who thus ad-
dressed her only brother, a fine,
manipulating young man, whose
dress and carriage told his position
to be that of a gentleman in the
common acceptions of the term.
1t was the day before the New
Year holiday of 1870.
YES, dear sister, if in my pewer.
You know it is even a JOY to me to
add to your pleasures when / can.
What is it now2 Do you wish me
as an escort to the theater or a ball?'
mo, dear brother, it is this. Do
not make any New Years calls to-
morrow"
''Heavens, Irene? You astonish
me. What possible harm is there
in this dear old custom Of visiting
ones lady friends, and wishing them
a Happy New YearY'
Charles, do you remember in
what condition you came, or rather
how you we're brought home last
New Years Day, and the long, terri
bic sickness which fOllowedY9
"NO, sister; nor the tender care
which most likely saved my life, for
you were the watcher by my side.
But, sweet one, signed the pledge
at your request as soon as l got well.
i! i! Lave kept it ever since, for I feel
as you feel, that ms character aud
my very life both depend on nay to-
tai abstinence from alcoholic drink"
Yes, Charles, you signed, and so
far with Gods help have kept the
pledge. But, tomorrow will be
day of terrible temptation. Wine
and hot punches will disgrace nIaBy
table where you would visit; fair
lips will tempt sou to taste and
''Stop one moment, dear Rene
do you think any lady will ask me
to break my pledged word2"
"Charles-you viii find, even as /
have found, among our aequain-
tanees, those who win laugh at what
they term the folly of abstinence,
the fanaticism of Temperance. You
will be pressed to take but one glass
mere, or one there, and hen-alas
you know as well as ], that appetite
excited by single drop viii beceme
again the fgrGak, and you are lOst!'
Nonsense, darling sister! am
firm i will make my usual calls
and show them all that am and
will 6e mani"
"Charles-I trcmble for the re-
suit. At least promise me not to go
10 the house Of Mr.. William Tin
shopr'
@Why sister sfall the places not to |
neglect that is the one. 1 don't |
.hink much Of old TinshOp, for he |
3 a whisky -bloat;r but love Flora |
and she loves me. We are as good |
IS engaged now, and were not to /
,all on her, it would seem like a
cruel insult.' - %
"Ah, Charles, you know as well /
IS l, that the tables there will con-
ain the deadly temptation, and that /
Ter father win laugh at your scrup-
es. and that she, his pet aud his
leiress, will have to coincide in his
-iews."
yet for all that, nay sister, I viii
tick to nay pledge, for 10 keeping it
know exits all my safety. If break
{, honor, character. all that make
ife worth possessing, viii go. De
lot fear for me. ] love you, and l
will not swerve from the path you
'pened out TO me when I lay upon
az sick bed"
She said no more. She saw that
was useless: she could but
,ray to her Heavenly Father to save
he brother of her love from q
.runkard's death.
aAh, here comes 3 welcome visi-
or, FlOeF cried Air. Tinshop, when
'hRrles Grey entered his parlors
arly on that New Years Day. "Mr.
Trey, 1 am glad to see YOU"
Charles, you are very, verg vel
omer was the warm tender greet
ag Of Flora, as she clasped his ex-
ended hand in both Of hers.
"Dear Flora, / came to wish you ,
happy New Year, and / never saw
ou look so lovely as now! Oh, how
eautifui you arer'
This was in 3 low tone, for Mr.
'inshop at that moment was busy
{ the table.
He came to them q moment after,
18th a silver saiver in his hand. On
. three glasses of sparkling zinc
TODD but too visible.
sHere is to a hundred New Years
$ bright as this." cried Mr.. Tin {
mop, as Fiors took up one glass, and