The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-17
Chr 3utland Iaily @lobs.
SATURDAY, JUNE II, 1876.
From the Portland Transcript.
SIGNING THE PLEDGE.



You TOOK surprised TO hear me say no drink.
wen, have your way,
And nil It. no, but let IL set. for I've got yarn
You know when I've been drinking, boys, /
can't talk nigh 50 well.
You're right, Aa,t been In to drink with YOU
for quite aspell; -.
And the ! ason 'ohy haint Is what I'm going
1 can Tell ho time correct, twas a week ago
tO-night;
tight.
fell into ditch or two, but managed to get
The road hadn't no right nor left, instead twas
right and tCrong.
LETT tue right and took the wrong, and so
Never got home iii brain and sky was clear
fUr another day.
Well, Ellen was up and watching, she hadn't
And faint the first night, neither, since tho
tiue i JOck - driuk;
Is all heat out and wand'fing Ike {; l laid down
on tle bed,
And iaid there like q log for hours. Jest as
though rs dead
But long In the afternoon, boys, walked up
clear and bright,
/ looked out into the kitchen--u want no
pleasant SIGHT;
ub TDOu Vas httib anu NASoht iOi -i'~' "a" -
we might have been swell to do" II I'd only
done my part.
Ellen sat by the window, in the only chair we
had,
Patching for mo aud the children, and looking
so worn and sad
/ Thought OF the wreck I'd made her-they
called her "handsome Nell"
When was the thriving falmer, and she the
village belle.
The children came from school, little Jenny.
and manly Be,t:
Bert was mad, and Jenny was crying as II snc
40, Mother said Bert, 81 know, I'm sure you'll
say us sin, ,--,,,.,.,
ny Gin
20, Mother, say, we aln't too blame for father
wouldn't drink II was a man, ! couldn't any
how. go
can remember father when he was like other
men, =.
Folks wuuldn'J have called us drunkard's
| brats say, Mother, would they them
laid so still and quiet like they thought me
The children kept talking and their words
they sunk In deep.
heard how little Jenny and my boy were
And ali because their father was u drunken
lazy lout.
| eldn't eat no supper, hadn't no appetite,
| But laid and thought II over, ana tried 10 &c
what's right;
| At first aid ia drown myself. then Thought
She seemed 10 love me Just as We'll, though I'd
led her such u lie.
So changed my mind again, and saw things
| wouldn't throw my life away, but Tx IL over
tight.
| And as soon as IL was morning went 10 far'
son Ray,
! And had HIM draw me up pleoge, anu iigueu
| that very day
You'd oughter seen my Nellie when l told hei
| Tue look that came upon her race was brighter
And tlcn It iaded right away, and left hei
worn and pale,
| read Il jesl as plain as day, she thought rt
sufei, TALL
| That look mauc mo sesl stronger. for 1t some
how touched my pride,
| put out my hand Tor kllen, and drew her tC
my side, .
And said wi II Heaven to help me, and those
love SO dear,
In keep the pledge IA taken, and she needn't
have a rear.
It's Just week to-day since I've tasted sim
And Il makes s inc kinder weak like, It's such
sudden stop,
so III take that glass you've mixed, BIZ, and
=Ssthrov It in The fire.
Did you ~ ose meant TO Kill my wife, and
make myself liar?
You may say Just what you please, now, but II
makes me think Orwell. go
| I've drinked lt with you often, but never VIII
Say boys, como sign the pledge with me, and
lel'S be better men.
| Come, BIZ, you know what cronies you and
hav- always beea,
We begun 1t when wes boys, and 1t lasted till
ives men,
And you married Ellens sister the day mar.
lied Nell;
How glad We Was 10 get them 'twouli be very
nard to tell.
| But you know we took TO drinking, In two OF
three short years,
And your wi c She look 10 Scoldlng, ana mine
We maze the road crooked one, but, BIZ, II
ulh'J lao Late
| rouH Sfgnf o, bless you, my old friend please
Goa wen make 1t tiaight.
And, Charlie, can't help but think you've uoed
YOUR tai, nts bad
You's al . ays clear ahead OF us when you was
but u lad,
| we ali went Gown TO see you of when you to
And ne Of us would been surprised II you'd
been President.
| But you was kinder weakly, and your stomach
wHIni jest right,
| And you lok u drinking wine. and finally you
got tight
You di INT b gin with whisky--'twas wine the
very best,
| And before you knew It, Charlie, you's low as
any OF the rest.
Your poor mothers heart is breaking, your
father bJe ed with shame,
And there's another, dearer yet, but / won'i
speak her name,
| She gave you up for drinking, but her love she
| don't for. ct
And ow that you have signed the pledge you
two'il be happy yet.
That's right, step up. and sign the pledge, put
down Nour name right here;
| George sui Ii, " III Foster, HenIy James you'll
| keep IL, never fear.
Landlord, Pm hurting trade, but l know I'm
| doing right,
It's Jest the same as making day out OF the
darkest night.
haint thing against ye Sir, only hate YOU
| trade,
And hate the kind OF failings your trade and
| you have made.
| Bat amt the kind OF man that gives others
| all the blame.
| take my share, and know right wen, tht
| restll 90 the same.
But by your hopes OF Heaven, sir; and by YOU
| fears or hell,
| Don't tempt IA from our pledges-W What not q
drop youW SHf
| You're going 10 JON the pfedye, ana poH oW th'
| cnssed stuff
| uurrah IN, landlords signed his name, he:
| beat us, sure enough
| ===---=-----=--==