The Dawson journal., 1883-12-13

1 L y
tendent.
AOh! pledge r. said Mr.. Grant 10
a tone Of surprise
|Yes sir; and what is more, I am
going to keep it," replied Allison, in
firm subdued voice.
''Stick to that my man, and all will
be WELL said the superintendent
"And let me say this to you in part
ing, il you had whiskey n
lone, you might kase had foreman &
place here long ago. Nothing has
kept you back but drink For your
own sake, and especially for your
wife's and good mothers sake, let it
alone
"I1l do it sir. You may count on
that Good-day Mr.. Grant" and the
man held out his hand, his face work.
ing with the struggle Of feelings he
could not repress.
"Good-day, Jimmy returned the
superintendent rs he took the mans
hand. Think of me rs friend. It
goes hard with me 40 we'll as with
| you. But yOu left no alternative. Good
bye! And if all goes right let me hear
| from you"
| Jimmy Allison had no Vsics to re-
ply. Turning away in silence he left
the Office.
81 don't see how you can have be
heart to do il" said the book-keeper
as the man had gone. Hes taken the
pledge, aAd its my opinion he'll kesp
keep it. Why not give him q
chance!
can't get the poor, old, sorrswful
face Ofhis mother out Of my thoughts
for q moment; it haunts me like q
ghost"
Mr.. Grant did mob reply and the
book-keeper turned to his desk and
resumed his work. A little while
| aflerward, the whistle of the com.
| ing train was heard; a few minutes
later, and Jimmy Allison was borne
| awry from home, wife and mother,
on the swift wing Of steam, q sadder
and wiser man.
The day had worn on dresrily to
the miserable wife and mother of All
isop, the pleasant JHoe sunshine un.
felA until the sun hadreached the tops
of the western mountain, for the sha
dow of great trouble rested on the
little household. Suddenly the wild
scream of the lomotive cut the air
and went echoing among the hills;
and soon after the down coming
train dropped few passengers at
the station, and then went thunder
ing on its impetuous course.
"Mrs. Allison" a boy who rushed
lnte the room where the two womeI
sat in their helpless, half despair
here is letter form Mr. Grant, anC
lie says read it right away
| The startled wife opened, Will
hands that shook nervously, the fol
ded paper and read: "We've telegra
phed Jimmy to come back-look GU
for him by the down train"
| A wild cry of Joy broke from th
lips Ct Jennie Allison: "Oh mother
mother! they've sent for him 20 com
back, and shere he is noWl'
Springing up and boundini
through tn door half Crazy wit
Joy, she ran through TIE little gal
den, and flung herself, laughing an
crying all at once, into the arms c
her husband.
"Weye had a narrow escape
Jimmy son." said old Mrs. Allison
after they were all quieted dowr
"lt hurt me away down here IN
son"-and she laid her hand over he
breast, ''hurt me- more, may be, thA
you will ever know"
ooh, don't say that, mother. Blu
, you shall never be hurt again,
answered Jimmy, catching his bre at
! with something like sob. "NeveI
never, never I've taken the pled@,
you know, and when Jimmy AllisO
. puts his name 60 anything, it's got
: stand. The Allisons don't go bac
on their word of honor"
'G'll trust you my boy was th
mothers confident reply as the sur
: shine of gladness tell over her age
ace.
All this happened just one year ag
and has Jimmy Allison kept true t
v his pledge? More than true fo
p besides holding true to his own il
/, egrity he has induced dozen othe
workmen, aud is now organizing