Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-10-27


the whole plan, "let's give honest meas
ure. I'll own up TO twenty-five. Let's
go the whole, il any"
Very well" returned Peter; Then lei
us commence and pledge ourselves not
to smoke or drink ale Tor one month from
this date. Every night We will lay away
dollar, and al the end OF the week we'll
90 on our mission. What say you?'
With one voice the other five joined in
The plan. The novelty of the hing may
have pleased them; but the real incen-
tive lay deeper down in the natural good
ness of their hearts The;c was 10
written pledge. but they took moro
speedy method. Peter then laid his hand
on the table and said:
Heres my hand pledged to the work.
And mine, aud mine, and mine,
chimed the rest, placing their hands one
atop Of the other until The six right
hands lay upon the table in pyramid.
This is Tuesday, resumed Peter.
"WiIl We meet neNl Saturday,
Yes. answered Sam, and call ii q
we K. Lets throw in the two days"
And 80 the woIk Was begun.
On the next day as Sam Green sal a top
OF his bench alter dinner, he icit rather
lost without his cigar, and Tor awhile he
argued the question with himself, wheth'
er It wouldn't do just as well Tor him TO
put an extra quarter into his box and
have his cigars As usual. But he remcm.
bered his pledge. lie looked forward to
Saturday, when he should lind himself an
AMBASSADOR OF mercy 10 The sick and
needy his resolution grew strong
again. That was his last real hesitation.
though il must be confessed he had some
trials and hankcrings,
Aud so with the rest they had some
moments OF doubt and mental warfare
with appetite and habit, but conquered
and were true.
Saturday came, and The six youths left
their work at noon. having done more
than overwork enough TO make up for the
loss OF the half day.
"Must have time once in 4 while.
ell ?" said Sans boss. as the young man
pointed 10 the work he had done. and
informed him that he should not work the
balance OF the day.
Some sort of q time" replied Sam.
VERY well. But YOU are too good
fellow to go very deep into dissipation"
"l'I be bright in the morning, Sir"
and with that be left.
The new Benevolent Society met at
Waller Mason, tin shop. EIeh took out
his money. and they had in all nine
dollars. it being in all thlrty.six silver
quarters.
Now said Peter. "lsl's visit The
three families We have taken under our
charge. Wen 90 together and expend
the money NJ We see It il needed. Let
US 60 10 Uncle Israefs first"
So off they went to Uncle Israel
TrasA's. The old couple lived in a small
hut at the edge OF the village. which Was
reached by a narrow lane. aud here the
six phianlhyopis,s found The old lady.
who was in her eighlieIh year, suffering
with n severe attack OF the rheumatism.
while The old man sat crouchcd over the
fire. shivering with cold.
Good day. good day. Uncle Israel"
AHA, good day, boys, good day. =
cried Uncle Israel, trying to smile. Can
We find seats ? Sit down somewhere and
MAKE yourselves At home. Bat ye see it
is poor home that poor old Israel can
offer you 10 day
"But how arc you getting alcnS?'
asked Peter. after the party had found
seats.
"Ah. God a'mercY. ! won't complain,
for he is taSin' meself aud Molly homo
fast. Only cold and hunger are no; kind
helpmatcs. Mr.. Hobbs. yo ken see that.
eh =
Right well, Unole Israel. And we've
come to help You. Do YOU want any
medicine?'
Nay. nay ; the 'oman's got all the med
icinO laid up we want. lis only the food
and heat we need. can't wade through
the drifting snow US | once could"
Suppose we send you dollars worth
oil -four, dollars worth 0: pork, and
another dollars worth OF other things,
such rs tea. coffee, sugar butter and the
like-coud YOU live u week on that -
"Ah, Good a'mercy, boy, meselt and
Molly would lico long while on that
But yeIl not do it for us"
"Yes. we will"
"Ah, it's too muchn
"No, no, cried Sam. "wc've got to do
it, Uncle Israel, Tor we six have sworn TO
help YOU through the winter. SO spunk
up little"
Dye mean that? ?" uttered the old man,
clasping his thin, tremul1us hands.
1--WE do" they all answered. and then
Sam added, "and while one Of us lives
you shall not suffer the want OF what we
can give"
A moment the old man bowed his
snow. white head, aud then, while the big
tears slreamed down his face, he raised
his eyes and murmurcd;
80. Gods blesin' be on ye, noble boys.