News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-09-21
not force man to drink who is not

not force a man to drink who is not
thirsty ?"
"O-fudge Harry you're afraid to
risk a dollar You'd drink a hot
Scotch, or glass of wine with us, if
you dared play. o, Hal I didn't
think you'd grown SO timid p
And now the young mans face flushed
to some purpose. Il was handsome
face; and he looked really grand
noble-as he drew himself up to his
full, manly height.
"Boys, you have spoken freely to
me; let me say word to you in reply.
l am timid, I confess. I am fearful
but you know-you know very we'll
that fear not the loss of dollar.
will tell you, presently, what do fear.
Do you remember D. H-?" nam.
ing young man who, not a year. pre-
viously, had been apprehended, tried
and convicted of forgery and emblezzle-
ment to large amount and who was
at that very time serving his penalty
in State prison. And, further-that
young mana trusted bookkeeper and
cashier-had been intimate with these
very youths.
"You remember him, know" Harry
continued; "and you can remember the
time when he was as jovial and happy
over his billiards and whisky, and his
gambling, as you are now. Oh do not
vince. I call it by its right name. If
it is not gambling, what is it9 All,
boys if Dan had been little fearful in
those days he might have been differ
emily situated now"
He paused for a moment, looked
around upon the players, and presently
added, in lower tone, and with deep
solemnity:
"And now, boys, I'll tell you frankly,
of what am afraid. 1 have q mother
you know whether she loves me or
not-and I have dear sister, looking
to me for Joy and comfort in life. I
have, also, business character; and, l
trust, broad, bright future before me.
Must tell you-I am afraid shrink
in mortal dread from anything that can
endanger those sacred interests. Not
for all the wealth of all the world would
knowingly and willingly bow my dear
mothers head in sorrow. And since
even the appearance of evil may weaken
the props of sterling character, I will
- hot nd nd
me. Go on if you will, and enjoy your
selves if you can. 1t would be misery
for me to join you here.
"One word more: If anything of
this interview should become known
abroad, be sure that did not tell it, for
my lips will be closed when go out
from you.
"Philip," turning to one of the young
est of the party, ''will you step aside
with me for a few moments 1t was to
speak with you that came hither."
The youth called PhiIip-a lad of
or nineteen-bent a thoughtful
look upon the man who had thus hailed |
him and then turned his gaze upon the
table. Only two balls were left on the
board unprotected.
"Say, boys" he at length cried,
I" take my money, / shan't finish the
the game" And then, without waiting
for reply, he put up his cue, and had
turned to take Harry's arm, when the
leader of the game came up and touched
him on the shoulder.
"Take your dollar, Phil. You've got
spots enough to cover it."
"Honest? Have I?"
"Of course you have"
The lad took the dollar, after which
the twain walked away and quickly dis
appeared.
l had moved away to a distant seat
but could still see and hear; and I |
will simply add: Those two balls re-
naming on the table were not pocketed. |
The game was suffered to end where it |
stood. There was question asked, by |
one of the five remaining as to what |
should be done with the money in the |
"pot." The chief answered instantly, |
and without argument, by giving each
man back his dollar. Then they put
their heads together, and after brief
confab, which could not overhear, they
left the place, leaving full one-half the
drink in their glasses untouched.
Six months later I had occasion to
spend another night in that same house,
and during my soiourn 1 spoke to the
host of the six young men whom 1 had
seen engaged in that game of pool. He
knew what [ meant, because 1 had told
him the story at the time.
He answered, that three of those |
youths had not been seen in the billiard
room since that evening; two of them
had occasionally dropped in together,
and played o social game; but had
neither put up money, nor drank. OF
the sixth man he would not speak.
And then thought of the personal
influence of that one young man. And
the end is not yet. The end no man can
see for good and healthful example
is like pebble cast into the peaceful
water, the circling ripples of its infu-
ence extending and extending until the |
bounding shores are reached. -Ledqer,