The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-12-22
HIS RHAsons.
IL Nj. Dudley, in Yankee Blade.


 Well, Mary, when can we be married ? 1 am impatient b have the knot red. l never knew what home was, or hos kind and patient . woman could be, till you came here."
 How long is it since you swore off, as you call it!"
 Three weeks, my dear; three weeks yesterday"
 Not a very long time to establish your reputation as temperance man." The lips were smiling, but there was an anx- ious look in the gray eyeA
 know it Mary, but am in earnest this time and, with you always with me, know can hold out. So what do you say to my getting the license ,o-morrow r
 "lf was sure, John" was the hesitat- ing reply.
 -Well, you are sure you just trust me and you never will be sorry
 The speakers were both past the flush of youth, the woman being several years older than the man. Both had seen trouble and tasted poverty. He had been somewhat addicted to his cups; he had been married once and his wife had proved unfaithful. The grave had closed over her husband, leaving her friendless and in poor health to struggle with pow erty and heartache. They had met and were drawn together by sympathy she was keeping house for him now, and had consented to be his wife if he could leave of drinking. All the next day she went about her work smiling, and happier than she had ever expected to be again. IL IS so sweet to be loved.
 The day was stormy. one of those drsv- ing, clustering storms that only autumn knows how to get up. Seven o'clock came, the usual time for John to come home to his supper. The tea table was set, the kitchen tidy and bright with lamp and 6relight. He came, with a pleasant word of greeting, and saying how happy he was to have a cosy home to come to after such al of day outside. He had not used any profanity for some time, and that together with look in his eyes and suspicious smell abou, his lips gave him away, although he could walk as straight as he ever did.
 Mary was a wise woman and cid not say anything until after supper.
 John, l think you have forgotten your promise today" she said. quietly.
 What do you mean:" he exclaimed, trying to be angry, and only succeeding in looking guilty.
 Why did you do it - she continued. without noticing his manner.
 Hang 1t what fuss you make over couple of glasses of lager"
 You have drank something stronger than lager want to know why you did so!"
 "Well, got discouraged; it was wet and cold, and got to thinking two dol lars for taxes, right of this week; two dollars for the license, and then flve dol lars to the minister or he will think me mean and then owe as much as len dollars in little bills here and there, have been paying up some lately, but haven't got them ali paid"
 "How much have you paid during the last three weeks ?" was the quiet in- quiry.
 Well. guess about fifteen dollars
 And you have had enough to live on besides; so much gain for leaving of your whisky and lager. Now let us reckon up what thi, one day has cost you. You are a dollar poorer for what you have drank and treated to-day. aint you:'
 Yes, just about that
 thought so. Then you have weak ened your good resolutions, might say destroyed them, and lost your own self respect and last and suppose least in your estimation. you have lost the woman yos pretended to love- and before he could say one wor. she had left the room.
 This is picture from real life. Do you recognize il? And how many Johns. for just such foolish reasons as this one gave. break their pledged word and the hearts of those tha, trust them. and sink from honest r>spectabill,y into drunkards' graves.
 But we are glad to record that our ohm escaped such fate. Those few quiet words oi Mays opened his eyes as no,h ing else ever had done. He served another probation so faithfully that Mary gave her consen, to trust him fnr life and we are happy to say he did not ge, discouraged again.