Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-01-01

not be neCeSSary-tllaC ue "ou'u oeo
the folly of this habit and give it up
but of late she felt that she must make
an effort to save him, and that soon
John, dear" she said, in answer to
the remarks he made at the com.
mencement of our story, at the same
time coming around tho little CEN
tre. table, seating herself on his knee
and taking his face between her soft
hands, "please don't worry this dear
old head about getting any present
for me this year. l know you can.
not we'll spare the money, and | am
quite contented with what l have
How could | be dssatisfed?' glancing
aga.n around the cozy room, and
then her eyes returning to their old
resting place face-with look
more expressive than words.
MY sef-5acrfcins little darling,
replied John, kissing the sweet lips
so near his own, "do you think |
would let the holidays pass without
some little remembrance! | am ex.
pecting every day that Simons will
pay me for that last job Of work, then
| shall have more funds on hand, and
be able to grAtlfy some lite wishes |
have formed.
"Well, "a wilfu man maun haze his
way" returned Bertha, rsslgnedly,
"pray, what is the news tonight?
she continued. "You haven't read
me word.
"Oh, nothing in particular, replied
John, taking up the discarded paper
The newspapers seem to contain
more nonsense about these temperance
movements than anything else Just at
present.
do you really think it nonsensicah
john" asked Berth,, earnestly,
80 a certain degree, yes. 1t is well
enough to shut up these low grog
shops, and a good work is no doubt
accomplished in trying to reclaim the
drunka.ds who frequent them; but
when it comes to closing the bars Of
our finest hotels, where these fellows
never congrsg,te, and even crying
down the taking Of a social glass be-
tween gentlemen whoce self respect
Will never permit them to overstep
the bounds Of sobrletj, then think
these temperance people are going too
far, and will do more harm than good
And vet think, John, that total
abstinence is the only safeguard for
any one. We ere all prone to yield
to temptation, and when an hon.st
man has pledged his word he will
keep it.
"YeS, but man cannot have much
strength Of mind who requires such a
safesnard' AS for me, | think there
is no harm in taking social glass
with nv friends whenever | fee so
inclined | hope have strength Of
character enough not to make brute
of myself"
Then ycu would not sign temper
ancs pledge if it were offered yo!?
asked Bertha.
Most certainly not he said, de-
cidedly.
mot even if | wished it, John?'
she persisted, anxiousy.
What nonsense you are talking,
child! Have you no faith in me?'
Bertha saw that argument WAS nse-
.eos, 80 retired from the field with a
little disappointed sigh.
Bertha" said John, on Christi tmas
morning, "csn you bear disappoint-
ment? Sinons has not settled that
bill yet, therefore | was unable to get
that little gift for you; but you shall
certainly have it by New year, for he
has promised to pay me this week.
"Very well, dear, replied his wife
II am not at all anxious about it, and
can surely wait week"
1t was New Years Eve. Bertha
was again in the little parlor, but
alone. John was away spending the
evening.
II shall not be gone long" he had
said as he went out. II have to get
INV money Of Simons, and one or two
other little matters to attend to, and
will be home early"
Two hours had passed since then,
yet he had not returned, but Bertha
expected him momentarily. and final
ly became uneasy at his protracted