Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-10-09
youths Column.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
BY AUNT JULIA.


We were all at a strange hotel to din
ner. We were little late at table. SO
that We could not all sit together. Bert
lie sat little apart from US between
strangers. but so near me that / could
see that he was well served and. besides.
be could be trusted not to ask for what
he ought not to have.
Near him at the table was a man who
had bottle Of wine for though 1t was
q temperance hotel. they could not pre-
vent his bringing what he liked to the
table. This was something new to Ber-
tie. and could see that he looked with
wonder at the man. and l thought he
looked as if-he would like to know how
that bright-eOlored drink tasted. The
man saw it too, and soon he began to
talk to BERTHE about it. don't 70 u
think this looks nice, my little man ?"
said he; and BERTHE said. "Yes. SIT"
Then the man went on: Suppose you
try the experiment of tasting it p
BERTHE did not quite understand what
he said but when some of it was pour
ed into little glass and set down be-
fore him. he understood that he was
to drink it. Now, the man had not call
ed it wine, and BERTHE did not know
what it was; so l leaned forward to
catch his eye. and spoke up promptly
and pleasantly, Tell the gentleman,
No. l thank you; don't take wine
'.NO. thank you" be repeated, a
little shyly; FOR when l said swine, it
quite took him by surprise. There was
no more said, for the man was ashamed
of himself. as he ought to be, for tempt
ing child in that way. As soon as
BERTHE finished his dinner he came and
stood by me until | was ready to 90.
When we were in our room he said !:
why. auntie, did not know that was
wine, and if you had not told me | should
have drank it, and then l should have
been sorry. How could tell p
"You could ask" | replied; '.but
the safest way is never to drink anything
but water or milk-they are the best
drinks for you and then ifanything else
is offered you, learn to say No politely.
l must give you some lessons on that
So poured some red ink into tum-
bier Of water to make it look like wine,
and said Now. when l ask you to
take glass of wine, 1 want you to
make your prettiest bow, and say, just
as gracefully as possible. No, thank you,
l never take wine This We practised
until be did it to perfection. Then
varied the Invitation, and asked him &c
take homemade wine. some that had
made myself. saying: Just take little
it viii not hurt you" Then he laugh
ingly replied: Excuse me, please; il
certainly will not hurt NE if don't
take it"
We praetised often after that In various
ways, until was quite satisfied witt
the pleasant and graceful manner il
which he could say. No thank you.
whenever it might be necessary.
One day when we we're talking abou
it. he said: Why, auntie. | used t.
think it was not polite to refuse to d,
I what an older person asked me to do
; but since you taught me to say. No,
, thank yOu,' | don't mind it at all ant
: people seem just as well pleased as if
did what they asked me"
= well. BERTHE. you should always b
3 Obiging. and do what you are aske
3 when it is right to do it /; but when it
a right to say No. it is worth goo
n deal to know how to say 1t pleasant,
f and stick to it.-TenlperGnce Ba1aaer