Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-12-07
A WOMAN'S INFLUENCE.

! $50 you've allowed yourself TO be be
witched by that little siren, Miriam Tol
bert, I'm told, Dukeheart:' -
I'm afraid | can't contradict the re-
port" said the major.
His companion laughed and shrugged
his shoulders. They were having q
charming little dinner at the club, with
some half dozen other conyivial souls.
'See here. now. old fellow" he con.
tinued, a. he uncorked second bottle
of old port aud filled the majors glass tC
the brim. you're fond Of your glass,
think. as well as the rest of us-your old
port. your sparkling champagne, youl
brandy, old rye, and all the rest of them
Ism; it so:
Couldn't do without them. My dear
fellow, what are YOU driving at:' said
Dukchear,. tossing off his glass.
III tell you, Major. You aeknowl-
edge that YOU are bewitched: Very well
now do you know what your pretty siren
is"
"Of course | do. She's the prettiest
woman in Boynton."
Granted; but she is something else.
Dukeheart, my poor fellow, she's re
former; an out and out temperance ad-
vocate. Did you ever notice that coquet-
tish little blue ribbon she wears jus,
above her heart; Well, that's the badge
of her order. She's a temperance re-
former, old fellow; and if YOU marry heI
she Il reform you, just as sure as your
names Tom Dukeheart." "
The major laughed, and all his CON-
panions joined him. He was the leading
spirit of the club, a wild, dashing, hand
some young fellow, rich, gay, and just
the leas, bi; too fond of his glass.
Have your laugh out, boys" he said,
pleasantly; "but it all amounts to moth
ing. I'm bewi,ched. I'll confess, but
not TO the extent you imagine. Itpretty
Miss Tolber,, has a fancy for the blue
ribbon crusade, well and good, but she
won't catch me in that trap. I'm too
old bird to peck at that sort of chatf,
YOU know.
''Ah, but we don't know" cried East.
ham. ''do we, boys: III lay a wager of
almos, any amount that in less than a
month you'i Il sport a blue ribbon in your
button-hole, and roll up your eyes in
holy horror at the sight of demvohn.
Done" cried the major. pushing for
ward his empty glass; put up your
stakes, comrades. And | lay wager
tina, | make my pretty charmer haul
down her colors before she is a week
older. What do you say
Done! DONE cried half dozen
voices in chorus, and then the stakes
were put up, and the glasses clinked
merrily, and the laughter became up
roarious.
=
my dear Miriam, really hope you
have no intention of encouraging Major
Dukehear,,' said Miriam'S mother, as
that young lady was dressing for Mrs.
Growers party. "lie is handsome,
agreeable person, I'll admit, but so very
wild, and fond Of his glass, too, I've been
told. His attentions are becoming quite
marked of late. My dear child, pray
take my advice and discourage him at
once"
Miriam went to her mothers chair and
kissed her.
Don't worry, mamma, love-" she
said in her low, soft voice. II shall do
nothing wrong. Perhaps l may be able
to win Major Dukeheart over to my way
OF thinking"
Il am afraid not, Miriam; the safer
way will be TO let him alone" ;"
A wistful look crossed the girls beau
tiful face.
~ cannot agree with YOU, mamma, y
she replied. When we nave an influence
it is surely our duty to use it for the good
OF others. But DO no, distress yourself /;
you may trust me.
"les, my pet, said the mother, kiss
ing her daughters cheek, but these
handsome men are so enticing, and wo-
mans heart SO weak
And woman's influence SO strong.
You must not forget that, mother" said
Miriam.
&
Miss Tolbert, won't you drink a
philopena with me =
1t was Major Dukeheart who asked this
question, laying one hand on Miriam S
arm, while he held in the other little
crystal goblet filed with sparkling wine.
Miriam turned and looked up aud her
dove eyes lit. The handsome, pleasant
face of the tall soldier was growing very
dear to her girlish heart, and the touch
of his hand on her arm made all her
pulses bound and fiutter
IL would like to oblige you, she said,
with her sweet, winning smile, "but
there is a matter of right and wrong in
yolyed, you see, and I'm very sure you
"a lo..-o 49, 90 IL ,p~Nn- Ma.n,