Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-01-11

his ewes were opened, he might turn
back before it is too late. Charlie, l
want YOU to do this good work"
"You want me, Lizzie"
"IO". Charlie"
Mr.. Wickif laughed.
well. really. Now, little woman,
I'm willing to DO my part"
,"Charlie. some one must be9in the
good work; why not you 2
But, my dear, how-where-when
am to hegin?"
Mrs. Wickiffe pushed aside her
work, and looked at him with two shin
ing eyes.
Ill tell You, Charlie. The hall be-
! longs to our Christian Association for
thi, season; you can begin there. I'll
beg enough to get lights and other
necessities, AMI we'll announce tenn
pprance meeting for next Thursday
night. AMI you shall address the audi
encc."
Mr.. Wicklitfe whistled this time.
II make a temperance speech? Why,
child, you had rs well ask me to preach
sermoL.
You can DO it, Charlie" persisted
| his wife. You canvass for elections.
and your political speeches were pub
lished and highly applauded. You can
work for Your patty, Charlie, but you
are not willing to work for God"
The shot went home.
ooh, pshaw, said the gentleman,
petulantly, "you let your sympathies
run away with your common sense,
Lizzie. Such step is wholly out of
the question"
Scarcely one woman ont of thou
sand but would have striven to carry
her point; but, as we have mentioned,
Mrs. Wickliffe knew when to speak, and
she also knew when to be silent. She
did not utter another word, but took
up her basket and went on with her
mending.
Her husband applied himself to his
papers again, but his politics for once
failed to interest him. He was restless
and little moody. and went to bed at
an unusually ea:ly hour.
But not to sleep. His wife heard
him tossing on his pillow, and smiled
to herself, although there were tears
on her cheeks.
At last. when the "wee sma' hours
were pretty we'll advanced. he turned
his face toward l.er, and put his hand
upon hers.
Lizzie, are you awake ?"
eyes, dear; haven't slept we'll to.
night"
Neither have I. I wish it was day
break. The fact is, Lizzie, I've been
thinking of what you said to me down
stairs. l cant get over it. You've
spoiled my peace of mind for me, and
there seems to be no alternative but to
do your bidding"
Lizzie understood him, and she
turned toward him. and put two tender
arms about his neck.
"My dear love-" she said, happy
little sob in her voice, ~ was sure You
would. You've granted every wish of
my heart since the hour you've made
me your wife,"
He held her very closely for min
ute, and then he laughed.
"a pretty fist I shall make of it, I'm
sure,' he said. "If | make you feel
ashamed of me, the blame must be
| yours"
"All mine, Charlie, Tn not afraid of
that. You'll not fail, dear"
/ Before noon of the next day, Mrs.
] Wickliil'e was deep in her project. She
| went from house to house, and from
store to store, and being just the sort of
| person to coax mans money out of
his pocket, she succeeded even beyond
! her own expectations.
When the appointed time came round,
the hall was decorated and Illuminated
i'll splendid style, and crowded with
curious people. A temperance meeting
was something new, and every body
went, Sam Clayton and his two sons
with the rest.
Charlie Wickliffe took the stand and
facet his audience; but he seemed only
to see two faces--his own wife's bright
with hope and expectation, and the
haggard face of the woman whose hus-
band was drunkard. He began, and
was soon carried beyond himself by
the fire of his feelings. His words
flowed out in stream of thrilling elo-
quence, taking the hearts OF his hear
ers by storm.
''Neighbors," he said in conclusion,
We've launched new craft tonight
who'll come aboard? Here we are
now, with our sails all spread and our
flags unfurled, and an open sea before
us, anu the blessed isles of Reformation
ahead of us. Who'll come aboard?
Now, comrades, who'll be the first man?
Look behind You at the Sodom and Go
morrah OF sin-the land of drunken
ness and debauchery-the land of lost
opportunities and crushed hopes. and
disAonored manhood-the land of gin
sh,ps and sqnalii homes. of brutal
fathers and husbands, of broken hearted
wives and starving children! Look at
this outer durkn IS, and turn your
backs upon it forevermore. Here we
go now, IN the oil ship of Zion, with
! the glorious motto of Temperance aud
Total Abstinence streaming from our
mast head. Nri9hbors, fri-u.s. who
of YOU will come on board?"
He paused, and in the midst Of the
waiting silence. a man arose and made
his way up IN the desk--a man bowed
down AID haggard, but no. 10y years
man with the brand of that curse of
All curses set upon his poor bloated
lace. He made his way to the desk.
and the speaker met him with omen