The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-10-19
Taking the Pledge.

Thanksgiving night la New YOrK
A chilly, windy night, sleety, that
drove homeward with ever-hastenine
steps all who had homes to seek.
Alas for the fOTiOrn who had none
Only the good God above them could
know and pity and alleviate the
misery that was theirs.
One home there was In the great
city that night that was scarcely more
shelter than the cold aud stormy
streets. In the cheerless and dilapi-
dated attic Of 3 squaIid and crowded
tenament-heuse crOuched a mother
and three children on the floor before
CRATE that held no fire. Their
clothes were thin and scarcely suffi-
cient to cover them. A lamp with a
broken chimney smoked aud Il Ired
upon the mantelpiece, and cast fee
BILE light around the room. There was
but one chair, and table with three
legs and broken leaf was propped
against the wall. A heap Of rags in
the opposite corner served as q bed.
It's solitary covering was blanket
thin and worn into many holes.
No fire, no food, no comforts, and In
the mothers heart no happiness or
hopes.
Ten years ago that very night she
had stood at the altar with q hand
some, healthful, industrious young
man, who had loved her fondIy and
made her the hAppiest Of wlves-for .
time.
Now another Thanksgiving Eve
was here, and, with her shiVering,
hungry children she awaited with
dread the return OF the husband and
father, whose passion for strong drink
had brought them so low.
Would he return too much intoxi.
Gated to abuse them 2 or must they on
the anniversary of her wedding-niEht
te forced to fly? The heart of the
poor woman was almost broken as
she asked herself that question, and
listened anxiOusly for the expected
step upon the stairs.
''pm so hungry, mOther,n walled
the little girl, who sat at her feet,
with her arms wrapped around her
brother in a vain attempt to keep
warm. "D0 you think father will
bring US something to eat 2"
"I hope 80, darling" said the moth
er, wiping the tears from her eyes.
" ny 0OA 1OA Lnduh6-
giving like other people 2" asked the
boy.
The artless question thrilled to the
quick. Before his mothers eyes rose
the memory OF so many glad Thanks
givlngs in her own childhood when
her parents were living TO brighten
her New England home. She bent
her head lower and lower above the
infant that slept upon her breast, aud
tried TO answer her little son-tried to
check the sobs that shook her feeble
frame. But the tears would have
their way.
'Don't cry, mother, dear" said lit
tie Alice, winding her arms around
her neck.
"No-don't cry. mother-don't
cry,n added Dick, Kissing her. 1--WE
don't want any Thanksgivings, do
we, Alice ?'
"DeAr, good children" sobbed the
mother. "Oh, If could only give
you some Of the happiness 1 used to
have 1t is hard for you; but
heaven is good, my poor little ones.
Perhaps you will see better days yet
before die"
There's father !" said Dick, shrink
ing nearer to his mother.
She looked up.
A tall, thin, pale man, shabbily
dlessed, stood near the door. He had
entered UnheArd, and something OF
the Old-time love was In his deep blue
eyes as they met her own. He was
perfectly sober and apparently deeply
depressed.
81 heard our boys question, Alice"
he said. "Why don't we ever have q
Thanksgiving? 1t is because I am a
wretch It is because l take the
money that ought to buy food and
ssblethff sbehf Il fR5r HqRe HHe 6fhk that Is destroy
ing me. You all have good reason to
hate me, and I wonder often that you
don't. But Alice, tell me. Do you
think there could be one grain Of hope
for me, even yet, II | should take the
pledge ?n
"Tske the pledge - said the pale
woman, rising and going up to him.
"Oh, Richard, God has surely put 1t
into your heart Will you /? WI
you ? For my sake For the sake
Of these poor little children who are
cold and hungry on this Thanksgiv-
ing Eve ?"
She hung upon his arm and looked
into his face as fondly as she had
locked at him upon their wedding
day,
The tears came into his eyes and
rolled down his cheeks one after an
other.
"AIice-poor Alice" he said, brok-
enly, 81 wonder you haven't deserted
me long ago."
desert you, dear? Oh, never
When 1 married you, Richard, 1 took
you for better or worse. I'm not
going to fail you, nOW, because you
are down, and low In spirits, and sick
st heart. No, Richard, let happen
what may, 1 will not leave you. I'll
live with you, beg with you, IL we
must beg, and die with you ut last.
But I never will desert yOu-never !"
"Not even II I do not give up
drinking, Alice ?" he asked, search
ingly.
Her sweet face grew pale and sad
once more, bnt her eye met his steadi.
mot even then, Richard"
he kissed her fondly.
"YOu are good, true wife, Alice,
and for your sake I will try to give
up this habit that is destroying US all.
Look here, dear. AS 1 was turning
into the grocery tonight man began
to lecture On temperance In the ball
adjoining. went in TO hear him,
and then I came home for you. His
lecture will end in q few minutes, and
then be is to give the pledge to all
who will take It came to ask you
to leave the children 3 few minutes
and go there with me. / have not