The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1880-05-27

vowed 10 touch driuk no mere, sDd ]
came home and tod my wife 80, sad We
both ioihed 10 etrnsss prayer that might
bave strength TO keep my vow Ths next
morning wcnt over to Geo, Stevens Snd
asked him bow ! could 60 Aboat ,lguiag
the pledge. lie helped me Ike a man
and Il was done.
+ With bis eyes wandering 70 and fro bo
tween Jerry and The ehAlks upos the
door, the amazed landlord slin remained
silent. Jerry went on:
Ny wife wanted 70 work herself TO
death 10 keep me, he said bat | sAid no.
You do what you can 10 keep the children
until my debts are paid, and then I'm
keep you snd the children Too. So went
to work, paying right and let and when
all was paid of, began TO DO what |
ought to have done years sgo feed NY
family. bad enough and 70 spare, and
would have spent some with you. And
mAny's the tine I've been tempted to
come aud I'm tempted still; but when
the feeling comes over me have q cup Of
waler or cup OF tea, iputs twoptnce into
boz have got on purpose, and scores
a chalk on the door All OF them chalks
are so many temptations aud so many
twopences saved.
Mr.. Rewitt was still unable to make
any particular remark; but be murmured
In confused manner, You've got lot
Of 'em.
Yes; there is large family, replied
Jerry, compacently, and the more looks
at them the better likes 'em. There's
not much standing disgrace sbout that
lot; credit II anything
OH yes--yes, returned the landlord; (;
but--dear me-this cold in my head is
quite distressing. You must have a large
box tor all your twopences
When get six together taxes them
of 10 the post.offlce, replied Jerry; there
is bank there better than any till. TilIs
give nothing out, but banks like that re-
turnH you moro than you puts in. Until
began to keep my own chslks bad no
idea how much your till swallowed up.
You would not trust me for pint; but
can have my money out of the bank when
ever | want It.
That's something, said Mr.. Rewltt, tart
ly.
II is everything TO aman who has wife
and children to keep, replied Jerry. The
best OF us have sickness and trouble and
rainy days, and then lis great thing to
have something to fall back upon. 1t is
better to be able to keep yourself than to
60 TO the parish. There's another thing,
too, about these chalks OF mine-yours
went down before my wife and children
were fed mine go down after that's done /;
and think my chalks are the better OF
the two. So says to all, Chalk your
own door.
Mr.. Rewitt had nothing TO say; he
could not deny and he would not admit
II, but took refuge like other beaten men
lin flight. With bis boots under his
arms he FASTENED home and presented
himself before bis wife In rather excited
condition.
What is the matter, Richard ?she asked
Nothing particular, lie replied, except
that Jerry Muddler has joined the temper
ance lot, aud he seems 80 firm in IL that
don't believe be will ever touch drop
again.
Mr.. Richard Rewitt of the Dram Arms
was right. And Jerry, who bears the
name Of Mudder no longer, but is called
by that to which he is entitled by right OF
birth, viz, that Of Marden, has not touch.
ed drop OF strong drink from the day OF
bis reformation 10 this. His door has
been filed again and again with the
score which he records in hs own favor;
and the beer he has not drunk ia every.
wAere around him In the form ofa COM
Portable home, respectable amount in
the savings bank, and a goodIy invest
ment in building society. PerJum sat
saptenti, which being freely interpreted
means, A word to you my reader, is suf-
iicieHt-Chalk your own door. - The
British Workman.