The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1884-03-06
Temperance.
WlLLY'S PLEDGE.

IL
he was induced to sign the pledge. The
following Sunday he came to his teacher.
before the opening of the school, and
said:
~ want my name taken off that
pledge"
That would be impossible" replied
Miss Miller. 1--WE never take names
from pledges. Sit down"
During the singing Willy took ten
cent piece from hs pocket, and, hand
ing it to his teacher, whispered:
"Tll give you that if you'll take my
name Off
Miss Miller motioned the hand away.
But, during the lesson, this persistent
ten-year-Old boy drew twenty-five cents
from his pocket, and said:
~ will give you this, Miss Miller
Put your money in your pocket, and
let us hear no more about it,"
But after the school was dismissed,
and the rest of the boys had gone, this
determined little lad held out a handful
of change. and begged:
"Miss Miller, III give you half dol
lar, all the money I've got, if you IL take
my name off that pledge"
Then the teachers resentment van
isbed. and she drew the child toward
her, and said:
"Willy, can not do it, if l were ever
so willing. You have promised the
Lord, and yourself, and me- that you
will never touch ardent spirits. You
must not, ever. But tell me why you
wish to take back your promise"
The boy hung his heal.
Fourth of July four of us is goin' up
to Valley Wood on a picnic. We al
ways take beer. We're goin' to-"
"Willy, can not take your name
from that pledge, but you may come to
my house on three o'clock Thursday
afternoon, and bring those three boys
with you, and l viii promise you way
out of your difficulty"
There was but vague idea in Miss
Miller's mind of the "way out of the
difficulty" but long before Thursday
afternoon the problem was solved.
Promptly on time these bows were
present at Miss Miller's elegant home,
on one of the fashionable avenues. The
other members of the class had been
invited. After the lads had enjoyed
blind-man' s-butf, with numbers, and
many other romping games which de-
light the hearts of boys, they were sum-
moned to tea, which was served on the
lawn. Such tempting biscuits, tender
tongue, frosted cake, large ripe straw
berries, and cool. delicious lemonade,
these boys had never before tasted.
When it was time for them to leave,
Miss Miller quietly requested the picnic
party of four to remain behind a few
moments.
70 Boys" Miss Miller asked, ''did you
enjoy your supper?"
"fip-top," said one.
bully" echoed another.
"You bet," shouted third.
Willy, the only one who went to Sum-
day-school, who was naturally refined
lad, and observed that Miss Miller never
used any such slang phrases, said
quietly:
1--WE liked it very much, Miss Miller ="
"And you enjoyed the lemonade?"
she questioned.
Prime" said one.
Couldn't be beat" said another.
When each one had given an atiirma-
tive answer in his own phraseology,
Miss Miller said:
boys, I've a proposition to make to
you. Tomorrow you are going on a
picnic. Willy Raynor has signed the
pledge; he can not drink beer, nor any
kind of strong drink. 1t would not be
manly, nor honest, nor right. Now,
want to help him keep his pledge, and
want you all to help him. So if you
will promise me that no beer shall go
on that picnic tomorrow. will agree
to furnish lemon and sugar, and a recipe
for lemonade, just as delicious as that
you had to-day. Do you agree?"
ayes, ma 'am-yes, ma am" was the
eager chorus. And one youth shouted:
"Three cheers for Miss Miller
They were Justify given. and the boys
departed. just as they were leaving.
Miss Miller said:
willy, bring your friends to Sunday
school next Sunday. Wen make room
for them in our class"
The boys came, and, more than that,
they all signed the pledge; but that
was not the only good resulting from
Willy Raynor's pledge, nor why tell
this story.
Late in September WHY'S father.
who was Captain of small sloOp, came
home to remain a few days. The
second evening after his arrival three
of his intimate friends were invited to
spend the evening and play cards with
him. Soon after they were seated
the boys father said to him:
"Willy, take the pitcher and run over
to Jones, and bring us couple of
quarts of beer"
Little Willy, trembling and anxious,
went slowly to the closet, and took
from the shelf the pitcher which he had
so often brought from Jones filled with
the liquid which he had promised never
more to touch nor to taste. He came
back, some time after, without the
pitcher.
"Willy," the father said. sternly,
"where is the beer? You were never
gone so long before"
II did not bring any,"
.'What is the matter? Where is the
pitcher? Have you broken it? Get an
other one; hurry up"
But Willy stood, the very picture of
dismay. Something in the boys face
touched the father, and he said:
"Out with it, my son."
al left the pitcher on Jones' coun-
ter"
"And will he send it over soon?"
al did not tell him you wanted any,"
"What do you mean? You never dis
obeyed me in this way before. my son." :"
20 papa! papar the child said,
bursting into tears, "I couldn't help it;