Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-08-27

1
tionate as girl he was loyal to hi.
mother and sister, and true as steel tc
his employers but he was not remark
ably strong minded.
This deficiency of power of will hac
not shown itself, for the reason that be
had never been tried and all who knew
him looked on him as a model of manly
virtue and uprightness.
Before the crocus had blossomAd, the
engagement of this rich girl to the
young bookkeeper startled all who knew
them.
Some said, "She1l manage him Just
as she does her father and mother >
and others said, "What lucky fellow
he is u
At first this son of a Christian home
escaped from the wine at table by say.
ing
"I don't care for It. I never drink
it."
But now was the time for action on
part of Robina-the Sunday after the
engagement became public.
"Now, Harry" she said, "this rs oul
first family dinner, you know; and the
lady always rules at table. / allow
father to carve, and mother to pour, but
| sit as queen to command, and no one
dares to disObey me-
No one wants to-" said the young
fellow, laughing.
"I'm glad to hear it. Now you and
l will pop our first bottle of champagne
together, and drink to a blessed and
happy future" said Robina.
"But you know l don't drink wine, u
said the young man coloring deeply.
Champagne isn't wine, you young
greeney !" cried Robina. "Some folks
say the best French brands are made of
rhubarb stalks, in California. Come
Come 70
But you must excuse me, Robina. I
don't like it."
"Don't like It'll What a reason for
refusing to crafty me I'm afraid you'll
have to do a great many more things
that you don't like, before that beauti.
ful hair of yours is gray, sir! I'm going
to buy you handsome meerschaum
and teach you to smoke it gracefully. +"
And they all laughed.
Well" said the young man, ST have
a better reason than that selfish one for
not taking wine. I promised my dear
mother, when l first went into the store,
that no drop of anything Intoxicating
should ever pass my lips, and none ever
has,"
"Ay, my dear young fellow; but a
mothers law is one thing, and wife's-
that's what I'm going to be to you-is
another. And. Harry, You, as good
Sunday school boy, know that the Bible
says: ga man must leave his father and
mother and cleave unto his wife"
Do you want me to break my word
and to tarnish my honor?" cried the
poor fellow.
"Oh no! now you're turning into a
hero and a martyrl In minute you'll
insist on being roasted or boiled in oil
for c5nscience's sakel'"
Robina," said the young man, "Id
like to please you, but the truth is, |
am afraid of all these things. I've seen
so much of their work among young
men"
"Oh, that's it You're afraid, are
You? Well, you're not as brave as ]
am. / have yet to see the first thing,
or person, in this world that I'm afraid
of, " added the foolish girl.
The Young man conquered that day.
At night he asked his mother If his
promise of total abstinence was not
limited to the time of his coming o.
age. She replied that it was, and ex
pressed hope that he was not weary o.
1t.
He assured her that he was not; but
that he did not care to renew the pro
mise; that he ought to be man enough
now to stand without being held up oy
pledge.
"Harry, / hope they do not use win,
at table at Mr.. Mason's ?" said hi
mother.
"They do, mother, but have never
tasted it; and | will never allow it OF
my table"
Such look of despair at passed ovel
that good mothers face told her fears.
She did not feel greatly elated by tn,
erich match" on which others where
congratulating her.
There was a great church wedding
chronicled Marriage in High Life,
where diamonds flashed and pearls
!
ton and a long journey and a new
house, furnished as we'll as an uphol
sterer with carte blanche could do it
and there was q new business firm
formed, in which Harry Does name ap
peared. There was everything which
money and youth and health coulC
give.
But on the other hand, there was
widows modest home broken up, anC
two exiles from all their cherished
friends, boarding on a lonely farm il
western New York, where their meagr
income could be drawn out to its great
est capacity. A mothers and sister
pride was turned to shame; and thei
hopes of comfort and support laid low
A young mother lately entered tn
! drawing-room car in Boston, with he
child and nurse, on her way to NeN
York.
A very stout, handsome lady, showil,
dressed, eyed her sharply, and the
putting up her hand, roguishly pulle,
her ear.
The lady was frightened, thinking
her neighbor in the next chair was
lunatic.
But the jocose lady leaned forward
and said, in loud whisper, Did yo
ever know Rob or Bob Mason ?"
"No, I never heard of him." sal
the other, whose cheeks were all afame
"Htn1 ;. It is her, and I'm she !
was the reply.
0Whv R0bina fba,,obf thor