Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-04-04
THE LIPS THAT ToUCH LIQUoR.

Alice Lee stood waiting neT lover one night,
With cheeks flushed and glowing
And eyes full OF light.
she'd placed sweet rose mid her bright
golden hair.
And no flower OF the forest meier looked
half so fair
As she did, when she stood by the door
OF the cot, where she dwelt by the side of
the moor
Her lover had promised to take her walk,
And she'd built all hopes on long and
pleasant talk;
But the daylight was waning, and also /
we'en
Her temper was failing, might plainly be
seen.
For now she'd stand still, then tune she
would hum,
And impatiently mutter, 81 wish he would
come.
You may talk as you like, it isn't pleasant
to wait;
And William has often kept me waiting OF
late.
And / know where he stays; tits easy to
tell
He spends many an hour at the sign of
1.-THE Bell,
/ wish he would keep from such places
away,
His evil companions do lead him astray.
She heard quick step and her young heart
beat fast
AS she said, 81 am glad he is coming at
last:''
But twas only neighbor who FASTENED TO
speak
AS he marked the quick flush of the young
maiden's cheek;
And his aged eyes twinklsd with pleasure
and glee,
And he merrily laughed, "Ah, so you are
waiting. / see:
Now don't think at all I'm intending to
blame,
For surely loue's not a subject for shame;
But I'll tell you to warn you, fancy my
That William is getting too fond of the
glass,
And, if truly you wish for the love that en-
dures,
say, the lips that touch liquor, shall never
touch yours y
aWhen next William comes, | will soon
let him know
He must give up the liquor, or he must go.
Twill be good chance by the way, too,
to prove
Ifhe's really sincere in his vows of love;
He must give up at once and forever the
aQine,
For the lips that touch liquor, shall never
touch mne."
She heard quick step coming over the
moor, Aa
And the same merry voice she'd so oft
heard before;
And e'er she could speak, strong arm
held her fast,
And her lover said gently, "Pve come love
at last;
Pm sorry kept you long waiting like this,
But know you'll forgive me, now give me
a kiss
But she shook the bright curls on her beau
tiful head,
And drew herself up while quite proudly
''Now, William, I'll prove If you are real
ly true
For you say that you love me, don't
think you do;
But if really sincere, you must give up the
wine,
For the lips that touch liquor, shall never
touch mine."
He looked quite amazed; "Why, Alice,
IT'S clear, you are getting quite jealous,
my DEAR"
SIN that you are right" she replied.
ssFor / see, you will soon love the liquor,
far better than me-
Pm jealous, / own, OF the poisonous wine,
And the lips that imbibe it, shall never
touch mine."
He then turned quite angry, 'Confound it,
he said,
what nonsense you've got in that dear
But Pll see if l cannot remove it soon
thence"
She replied: "'Tis not nonsense, butsound
common sense;
And mean what say and this, you will
find,
That don't often change when I've make
up mind"
He stood all irresolute, angry, perplexed,
She never before seen him look half sc
veXed.
Still she said, '1f he talks all his life
won't finch"
He talked, but he never could bulge her
an inch;
And at last. without tear, or a sigh,
She said, civilian, Pm going, so bid you
good-by."
NAY, STOP he then said, 81 choose one
of the two;
IN give up the liquor for l cannot lose
you."
Now, William had ever great cause to re-
joice.
From the hour he thus wisely made Alice
his choice;
And he best through the whole OF long
and useful life, . ,...,
The decision that gave him MS oear iitue
wife.
oh, IL every rair girl in our drink-cursed
rand,
Would say, 81 would ne'er give my hand
Or my heart to one whom had reason tC
think,
Would touch one drop of such poisonous
drink"
And reply, when she's wooed, "I'm fot
70 the wine,
And the lips that touch liquor, shall never
touch minev