The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-01-27

For several months the temptation 10
taste even drop vas steadily resisted, al
though the very smell OF the liquorteera.
ed TO make me almost Wild; and little by
little yielded a, last TO the oitrepcaied
opportunities and solicitations TO try the
dangerous lurnry. II is true nay con-
science troubled me sadly on every such
occasion, although ! oomiorted myself
somewhat with the reflection ths, not pen
ny bad ] ever spent for anything Of the
Kind, after all my mothers particular IN
junction. Poor. foolish boy tina, was
thus weakly to Mguel
But the subtle habit was beginning W
get stronger and stronger hold upon mo-
Several times ] had been assisted hom
from saloons, and more than once from a
private house; aud Is yet from the very
first drink / had ever taken at the mate q
expense, had always been treated b,
some one else.
AT last, one night, there was quite .
company of us assembled 10 brightly
lighted, richly gilded saloon. which Frank.
lin Harris. one OF my special chums, had
just started, greatly to the distress Of his
good pious mother, when suddenly the
boys" turned on me and demanded .
drink.
Come, said one. we've all stood treat
scores Of times, it's yonr turn now; don't
be mean, Hal; invite ms to "smile" for
once, can't you2
1t all flashed over me in moment--my
mothers petition to the fact that had
meanly evaded ever paying for the drinks,
yet always accepted them at the expense
of my companions whenever offered. How
could ] accede to their proposal yet
that tsunt OF being called "mean" espe-
cially when my course justified it-no, |
couldn't stand that
Just then remembered having rolled
up and placed away my money before 60
ing out for the evening.
Well, hold on moment, said, and try
ing hard to quiet my struggling conscience
| ran to my room, few blocks off, and
hastily snatching my roll of bills from the
drawer, relocked it, and hurried back to
Harris saloon.
Now, for it, ! said, upon re-entering,
take all you want; see, here is ample pay
for all you can hold, unwrapping my roll
Of bank bills. The next moment l recoil-
ed as il bitten by serpent indeed. /
Cool heavenl / exclaimed, what is this?
Tor, like a living thing. soft curl Of
bright brown hair swiftly uncurled itself
along the palm Of my hand.
While stood aghast, gazing as il in
terror at the muto power held in my out
stretched hand, l heard Frank Harris say,
inder his BREATH not unkindly, by any
means:
Hal some young girls hair, who has
gone, suspect!
And VIC all Of MS have something Of Tho
lind, I'll warrant, gently added Fred Rey-
iold,, whose sweet young sister had died
lbout year before. Come, Hal, put it
Up. boy; We won't drink tonight.
No'not tonight or any other night at my
Expense, thundered out, for to control
ny voice at all, / had TO raise it power
ully at first; then in softer key added:
Boys, this is my mothers hair; she is
zone, you know, dead and then preach
d them a temperance sermon. ! hardly
now what said, in fact never quite
new; but we all went home sober enough
hat night, about week later Frank Har
is called to sec me, and said that, greatly
0 his mothers delight. he had given mp
he saloon, and was going into an entirely
ifierent business. And chancing to meet
red Reynolds the next evening, we vent ,
D company and signed the Temperance
ledge. And by the blessing Of Almighty
Tod, added the merchant, have solemn.
! kept the pledge. Peace and prosperity
ave attended me; my old habit Of taking ,
are Of money not boarding all by any i
leans--joinsd with strictly temperance ]
abits. have gradually brought me the
omfort ! so coveted ., boy. and have ,
ever ceased to thank God that instead Of ,
rasping my roll Of bills that otherwise /
tal night. / took in their place that
inning curl OF golden brown hair. Yesl I
alu uays want II whore my eyes can rest q
pom it at any moment. Do you wonder G
it? he concluded with . smile --FmM '
ring ia Goiiea Rule. il
- -
How SHE PUNISHED HIN. mini
hat the lawyers name WAS. Suffice It ).
n us TO tell you that he lived IN one OF
udson river counties Of New York and !.
as more noted for those qualities Of both
sad and heart that make man disagree
de than for the qualities ofa true gentle
an. An unoffend:ng. simple-minded o
itness in his hands for cross-e1amination i
as, for tho time, far worse of that in the