Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-06-09
poetrp.
From the Portland Transcript.
Signing the Pledge.


BY MRS. MARY r. P. HATCH.
How are ye beysH No, thank ye, Bill. nothing to
You look surprised to hear me say no drink, we'll
And fill it up. but let it set for I've got yarn to
tell;
You know when I've been drinking, boys, can't
talk nigh SO well.
You're right, haint been in to drink with you for
And the reason ehv haint is what I'm going to
I can ten the time correct twas week ago to,
The road was never crookeder. for was pretty
tight.
fell into ditch or two, but managed to get along.
The road hadn't no right nor left. instead twas
left the right and took the wrong, and lost my
Never got home till brain and sky clear for an
other day.
Well. Ellen was up and watching. she hadn't slept
And faint the first night neither, since the time
rs all beat out and wand'ring like; laid down on
the bed.
And laid there like log for hours, jest as though
rs dead.
and bright, "' '''''
looked out into the kitchen-it want no pleasant
sight;
The room was neat and clean, for Ellen was always
smart,
We might have been . well to do if I'd only done
my part.
Ellen sat by the window. in the only chair. we had
Patching for me and the children. and looking so
worn and sad
thought Of the wreck I'd made her-they called
When l was a thriving farmer and she the village
belle.
The children came from school, little Jenny and
manly Bert:
Bert was mad, and Jenny was crying as if she was
hurt.
= 0. Mother" said Bert. know. I'm sure you'll
But doubled Joe right up, for calling our Jenny
Gin
g o. Mother say amt too blame for father. are
] wouldn't drink if I was man, couldn't anyhow.
can remember father when he was like other men !;
Folks wouldn't have called us drunkard's brats ,
say. Mother, would they then2"
I laid so still and quiet like they thought me sound
The children kept talking. and their words they
sunk in deep.
I heard how little Jenny and my boy were knocked
And ali because their father was drunken lazy
lout.
didn't eat no supper. hadn't no appetite,
But laid and thought it over. and tried to do
AT first said I'd drown myself. then thought of my
poor wife:
her such life.
So changed my mind again, and saw things in
wouldn't throw my life away, but fix it over right
And as soon as 1T was morning went to Parson
And had him draw me up pledge. and signed that
very day.
You'd oughter seen my Nellie when 1 told her what
I'd done,
The look that came upon her face brighter than
the sun;
And then it faded right away and left her worn and
read it Jest as plain as day she thought I'd surely
fail.
That look made me feel stronger. for it somehow
touched my pride
/ put out my hand for Ellen, and drew her to my
And said with Heaven to help me, and those love
so dear
I'd keep the pledge I'd taken. and she needn't have
fear.
It's just week to-day since I've tasted a single
drop.
And it makes me kinder weak like, it's such sud
So m take that glass you've mixed. Bill, and
Did you 'spose meant to kill my wife. and make
myself a liar2
Jest see the blue flames flicker. and smell the
sickening smell.
You may say Just what you please. now. but it
makes me think of-well
I've drinked it with you often. but never will
Say boys, come sign the pledge with me. and let's
be better men,
Come. Bill, you know what cronies you and have
always been,
We began ii when we's boys and it lasted till wes
And You married Ellen's sister the day 1 married
Nell;
How glad we was to get them 'twould be very hard
to tell.
But you know we took to drinking, in two or three
short years
And your wife she tookto scolding, and mine she
We made the road crooked one, but. Bill, it amt
You'H sign Q. bless you. my old friend; please
God we'll make it straight.
And, Charlie, I can't help but think you've used
your talents bad.
You's always clear ahead of us when you was but
We all went down to you of when you to col
And none Of US would been surprised if you'd been
President.
But you was kinder weakly, and your stomach
warn't jest right,
And you took to drinking wine. and finally you got
tight.
You didn't begin with whiskey-'twas wine thevery
best.
And before you knew it, Charlie. youNs low any
of the rest.
Your poor mothers heart is breaking your fathers
bowed with shame.
And there's another, dearer yet, but / won't speak
She gave you up for drinking, but her love she
And now that You have signed the pledge you twoIl
be happy yet
your name right here;
George Smith, VIII Foster. Henry James-you1l
keep it never fear.
Landlord. I'm hurting trade but know I'm doing
right,
It's jest the same making day out of the darkest
night
[ haint thing against ye, sir, only hate your
trade,
And hate the kind of failings your trade and you
have made.
But amt the kind of man that gives others all the
blame.
take my share and / know right well, the restll
do the same.
of hell,
Don't tempt us from our pledges WHAT not drop
you'll seHR
You're going 70 sgnhe pledge. and pour the cssed
stuff
Hurrah the landlords signed bis name, he's beat
us, sure enough
TRuTHFULNEss TO CHILDREN.-A pa