The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-04-21
A TEMPERANCE STORY.

the pOor:hOuse only by performing
menial service for his food, by the
kindness Of Thomas Edgerton, de-
vout member ofthe Society Of Friends
who had known him from his youth
who had a strong hope that, in the
course of time. he would see his fol-
~ and turn again into the right
path.
HoslSins,tfe leadiSg liquor dealer
of the place, had let hun have drink
so long as his money lasted, but
would trust him no longer. He was
l0unging about the saloon one bright
moonlight evening, pleading with
the keeper to trust him for drink.
His reply was sharp and unfeeiing.
mot drop more, Daniel!"
He remained a while longer and
then left. AS the cool air of the
evening fell upon him, he, all at once,
gave utterance to his feelings in the
following strain:
"'NOt a drOD more, Daniel Am
| drunk or sober? | am sober. Not
a drop more, Daniel Did Hoskins
think drop would hurt me? No ;
but nv money was gone. He has
got alI-got everything J. had even
the Bible my mother gave me He
has got the boots which my wife,
with her own earnings, bought Jen-
ME. Not drop more, Daniel"
Daniel, what do you say to that ? |
say so, too. | once had good clothes,
but now | have nothing but rags.
Not drop more, Daniel, till have
clothes again as good as when Mary
and ! were married. | once had a
good watch, but that too is gone!
Not drop more. Daniel till have
another as good as the one | paWned
to Hoskins for drink. | have seen
the day when | had a good horse and
buggy, and could ride into town in
as good style a5 any man in the place.
Not drop more, Daniel till have
another horse and buggy as good as
l once had. L once had cows that
my family with butter
and cheese, but Hoskins has got them.
Not drop more, Daniel till those
cows, or others as good are mine
again. | once had this wallet full of
bills, now there is not a cent have |
got. Not drop more, Daniel till
this wallet is we'll filled again"
By this time he had reached the
place where he formerly resided, and
leaning up against the fence he mus
ed IA long time IN silence. He view
ed the desoiate place by the light Of
the moon, and his eyes ranged over
the house and farm once his own.
He then said to himself: "Once [
owned this house and farm. Here |
WAS horn. Here my father and mother
died. | was the pride Of their hearts;
but | brought down their gray hairs
with sorrow to the grave! Here /
began my married life and all that
heart could wish was mine. Here
Mary and took comfort together till
Hoskinks came and opened his rum
shop; and now he calls it his. In
that south room my children were
born, and there Jennie died. Oh !!
how sorroWful she looked when she
saw me take her boots and start for
the the store to pawn them for rum
while she lay sick upon the bed. And
then how she begged for me never to
strike her mother again l can see
her now-her pale, her wasted form
but she cannot come to me again.
And oh ! my wife! how shametulIy
| abused her! 1t was not your Daniel
that did it. No, it was Hoskins'
rum that did it. No wonder you
were taken away from me by those
who loved you, and would not see
you abused. They won't have me
in the house. They won't let me
live with you. Not a drop more,
Daniel till this house is mine again.
Not drop more, Daniel till these
broad acres are again in my posses
sion, an the wife and children that
are living are in yonder rooms, and
we are happy family once more.
Not drop more. Daniel SO help
me God, till all these things are ac-
complished thank you. Hoskins,
tor those words. L shall not forget
them"
He had become so much occupied
with his thoughts, and spoke in q
tone so loud that he had not noticed
the wagon, which, by this time, had
reached the road, in which was seat.
ed the kind-hearted Quaker before
mentioned. He stopped his horse
and heard distinctly the language