Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-09-27
RUTH AND HER 10 YER.

What is it, Ruthie? Are you an
gry that you will not kiss NE good
night?
Henry Harland stood at the thresh-
old of fine old mansion and looked
into the black eyes of Ruth Ward, to
whom he was engaged to be married
who stood little back in the shadow
of the hall and refused to kiss him
good night.
I cannot kiss you Harry she said
because you have been drinking, and
| can not kiss a man whose breath is
contaminated with liquor.
The yourg man dropped his eyes,
and blush stole up to his brown
cheek, and then he offered the same
excuse that all men offer when first
they commence to tamper with strong
drink.
is that it, Ruthie?' he said. have
only been drinking a glass of wine
that Mrs. Gleason offered me. You
don t object 10 that, for you know |
don't drink
Henry my only brother was ruined
from taking glass Of wine, and |
made vow when | saw him in his
coffin that | would never receive the
attentions Of any young man. who
would trust himself to drink even
winl, and felt that he was safe in do
ing so. In the beginning is the time
to speak. The first glass is the one to
avoid. If you knew what terrible
anguish your breath scented with
wine calls to my memory, you would
understand better my firmneso and
determination.
Then you are going to break our
engagement because | have drank a
glass Of wine !? said Henry, a little
disdainful!y.
No, Henry, I love you, said Ruth;
and | think you will for my sake be
abstemious in the future, and | wish
you would sign the pledge. You have
drank wine often of late, though did
not fully realize it until to-day, and
if you do not bstaln from it now,
must refuse your attentions in the fu-
ture.
You profess to love me, said he ;
but you do not, for love would in
duce you to stand 10y me and try and
keep me from temptation but, in
stead, you drive Inc to destruction.
Listen to me, Henry, said Ruth,
her eyes glistening and her voice trem-
bling. You say | do not love YOU,
because | will not sacrifice my happi-
ness and welfare and that of others,
for you when you will not make the
slight sacrifice for me Of signing the
pledge Reason is as necessary as
love, and how could | keep YOU from
destruction when you are determined
not to listen to me, but to 50 on in
the very path which am sure leads
to ruin and a drunkard's grave.
You are too hasty, Ruth your ex-
rprience with your b,other blinds you.
Wine doesn't harm me and as it is
offered me continually, cannot we'll
refuse it.
Change Your boarding place, said
Ruth ; Mrs. Gleason is doing more
harm than she dreams of in treating
her boarders to wine. Go to Mrs. An
drews to board. She is strong tenn
perance woman. If you love me,
why will you not grant me this re-
quest 2
You know l love you, Ruth, but
you are unreasonable. l am in no
danger and can govern my appetite
You talk as though | was very near a
drunkards grave.
1t was all in vain that careful black
eyed Ruth pleaded with her lover,
and when she saw that pleadings were
all in vain, she said, in voice firm
but full of anguish
Then, dear Henry, farewell l
cannot break my vow. My brother S
dead face would come to haunt me. |
pray that you may see the error OF
your way-farewell.'
She was gone and though Henry
Harland called after her she did not
return. He walked slowly down the
steps and along the graveled walk
More and more his feelings softened,
and before he had reached his board.
ing house he said softly to himself
"A glass Of wine shall not separate me
from my darling Ruth. l can much
easier dispense with that than with
her love, and | will sign the pledge
to- morrow, and then we will be happy
again
He entered the house and was pas
sing on to his room, but young man
opened a door and stepping into the
hall said pleasantly: That you Har-
land ? walk in a moment, | want tc
speak with you.
1T is too late, said Henry, passing
on but the young man urged, and
finally grasping his arm, half dragged
MIN lnto the apartment.
You shall have taste of this wine,
he said, the best you ever drank here
is glass ready for you
No, | thank you, said Henry, look
ing as he said this, lonsingly at the
wine. No, Dart, | don't wish for any