Smyrna times., 1878-06-19

who has the principles of true politeness,
of good education, within them. Only
those whose aim it is to appear rough and
fast"
81 never thought of it before" said
Katie, thoughtfully, "but | do believe
Fannie is right. Perhaps we never aimed
at being FAST exactly, but we are gradually
lowering ourselves to the ignorant level of
that class. There, Fan, shake hands, we'll
stand together. But" dolefully, there's
strength in numbers, and if the rest of you
would only promise, too, it would make it
so much easier"
"Well, here goes another victim on the
altar of politeness," said Susie. "Tll join
your anti,slang society, but l feel as though
| was entering a convent. Goodbye,
Mary, | expect soon to be too highly
educated to associate with the common
herd"
"You needn't say goodbye to me, for
I'm coming over too;" and Mary, holding
out her hands to the rest, said earnestly,
g Do come, all of you. Let US be an un-
broken band in the path of duty as well
as fun" and in another moment the group,
halflaughing, halftearful, were clasping
hands Ill an earnest compact.
"Susie has given us a grand idea," said
Fannie. Why not form ourselves into
society, and call it the 'Anti-Slang So
ciety" And to keep our resolution
strong, we might meet once q week, and
read, or sing, or sew. What do you all
say?'
Perfectly elegant! Magnificent! Splen-
did Grand! There, I've let off steam, and
now Pm sworn Off for evermore," laughed
Katie, as she meekly folded her hands and
waited for the opinion of others.
81 think it would be just ele-pleasant.
| And at the end of six months let us have a
grand gathering, and invite all our friends"
| said Susie.
"That would do nicely. Now let's make
up our minds about the time OF meetings
&c, and then we ought to be getting home
| before the sun sets"
| Six months later might be seen, one
bright moonlight evening, many forms
vending their way to Mr.. Ford's handsome
residence; and as one by one removed
their coats and wrappers, there were re-
vealed the faces of many members of our
young society, together with their brothers
and young gentleman friends, and a large
number of the older ones, parents of those
who gave the party. Music, talking and
supper filled the evening. AS they all re-
turned to the parlor after supper, Mr..
Ford called the company to order, and
then in few words stated the object ol
the society, and their work Of the last
few months, and slowly unfolding paper
said:
"As in temperance reform we circulate
4 sort Of pledge or contract, to bind those
who sign to perform the promised duty, SC
now | ask all present who are in sympathy
with our young socety's effort toward tenn
perance in speech, TO come forward anG
sign themselves members of the Anti.Slane
Society. Age, sex or station not to be con
sidered. Come one and all.
There was a silence for one moment anC
then Charlie Langdon, Katie's oldes
brother, and an inveterate user Of slang
came farward and enrolled his name upol
the paper. The ice was now broken, ant
name after name signed, till every on,
present had made themselves members Q
the no longer small society.
"To think" said Fannie, as the societ
adjourned, 'of so much good coming iron
} one little picnic Now that we have 90
the boys and girls, we must look out tina
they do not get away again. We sha
have to think up everything pleasant an
t entertaining for our meetings, and not onl
teach ourselves and others to be polite, bu
l keep some from going to places where the
= hear nothing but wicked words, and lear
intemperance in its worst sense"
t Yes" said Kitty, 81 used to think
o schoolgirl eyuldn't do much of anything
and | really felt it would be like retirin
g from the world to try to do as others di
It not, but it isn't so hard, after all. | thin
we have done wonders in six months, an
$ | know | express the sentiments Of a
a when | say we do not mean to weary
well.doing.'
E? $50 say we, all of US, said Susie, soberl,
'e and then with startled expression, "
d dear is that slang? But don't think it
le this time, for it says just what mean, ar
means just what ! say. 1t is so easy
y drop into the habit that have to keep II
. wits about me all the time"
K YES" answered Fannie, as she sa
good night, 81 find there is only one ru
r. for this, as for every other duty in life, al
20 that is to watch and pray that ye enter n
n into temptation. '"-IouseAoM.