The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-05-13

Why, mother dear, you don't sup
pose / would ever 90 into saloon, or
gambling den or any such place, dt
you -
mo, my boy" she looked fondly a
his handsome refined face
But you talk 50 much about tempta
ton coming to boys How could any
one tempt me when ! despise sucf
things2 You don't think any one could
lead me into sin against my own will ?
You know so little Of the world
George, that you can not tell how temp
tation may come 10 you. 1t viii proba
bly, come in some way which you Least
expect for Satan loves to make his at
tacks deceitfully. He will try you when
you are off your guard Remember, my
dear one, always with watching and
prayer to keep Oh the alert against the
enemy of souls.
George was just prepared TO enter
college. He was bright scholar aud
conscientious student, so it i unneces
Sary to add thal he had so far success
fully travelled the road toward a good
education, and he was now looking for
ward with hope ana ambition, full OF
determination still to so order his lie as
10 be a credit 10 himself, a comfort and
blessing to his mother and q worthy
follower of the Master to whose service
he had given himself in ais youth. He
was full of bOvish confidence in himself,
and while willing to listen TO and re
speet his mothers cautions, Sometimes
felt that she was fearful Overmuch.
Il shall have a grand day, mother, -
he said gaily, wishing her goodbye one
morning, Fishing and boating on the
lake, and supper in the evening with the
young college chaps. They are all older
notice me 50 much
He found things As pleasant as he had
expected. Phil Archer was a young
man belonging to the college he him
self looked forward to entering and he
was much gratified at finding him dis
posed to treat him with great courtesy.
He was manly, high-spirited and gen
tlemaflly- exactly the kind Of fellow
mother would wish me to make a
friend f,"-said George TO himself.
He expressed himself warm advocate
of temperance, glancing with a disap-
proyal equal to Georges own at a
saloon door from which a poor sot
came staggering, with the remark
'What shame to have such a blot on
this beautiful lake shore"
He played the part of host at supper
with an ease and polish which increased
Georges admiration of him. His man
ners were quiet and elegant. He talked
we'll, and in every subject involving a
question of right or wrong seemed en-
Enthusiastically ready 20 stand up for the
right.
Judge, then of the amazement Of his
ardent admirer when, supper being
nearly over, he said to the waiter:
You put that claret in ice when /
told you|'
"Yes, sir"
Bring it now
The dainty glasses clinked musically
as they were placed around the table
and soon the wine glowed in them like
huge rubies.
"Ho" said one Of the company with
a laugh, Il thought, Phil, you professed
to be a temperance man"
"I do" said Phil with dignifed air,
but | am not one of those who live in
a e-bound fear of imaginary evils.
What is temperance, pray, but the tenn
perate use of all the good things the
good Lord has given US? What more
harm is in this drop of light wine than
in that bunch of grapes? Your good
health"
His glass was gracefully raised and he
presently bowed over it to George, in
whose mind and conscience a great
struggle was going on. What Archer
had said sounded so well and so reason
able-might there not really be two
sides to the question? Surely the opin-
ions of this bright young fellow were
entitled to consideration. Low company,
disreputahe places, whisky, brandy,
rum, and all their vile kin were to be
stunned, but after all, what harm could
be found in this shining drop of grape
juice, taken in company of these well
bred young men2
But Just as Phil's frank eye met his,
his mothers words flashed across his
mind: "Your temptation will come as
you least expect" How his re erence
for his mother arose and increased
How keen had been her judgment in
such matters. Here was his temptation
not in the glass of wine, but in his
strong impulse to conform to the ways
of those about him.
He returned the bow, but without
tasting the VINE.
won't you take wine with me| said
Phil, looking surprised.
You must excuse me, said George,
firmly, II never take it"
"Ahl You are one of the teetotal sort,
then? But of course | wish you all to
do as you please here" There was a
shade of contempt under the elaborate
politeness, which was very cutting to
George, coming from this person whose
goodwill he so desired to secure. But
the strength which always comes through
a victory over self came to him In large
measure, as he sat and quietly listened
to what went on about him, feeling,
after the first moment of false shame,
most thankful for the stand he had been
enabled to take. He had met tempta-
ton in an unlooked-for shape and had
come off conqueror.
He soon entered into the interests of
the hour with renewed spirits, listening
eagerly to discussion on the merits of
different societies of the college. Be
fore long the discussion arose to a dis
pute, in which Phil and one other grew
excited, carrying on with vehemence
an argument in which appeared so little
point on either side that George gazed
in wonder at his admired friend. The
intellectual face grew flushed and the
eve beamed with an unnatural light.
Sneering tones and course expressions
soon followed, and Phil presently re-
turned an answer to q simple inquiry
by George in a mnnner so offensive as to
cause the latter to start in anger from
his seat.
Don't notice it, said Brand a quiet
boy at his side speaking in a low tone
HE would not speak so if he were not
excited by the wine.
"What are you whispering about p
cried Phil, turning fiercely upon the
speaker, being just then exasperated by
something said 10y his opponent. "Only
sneaks whisper-gentleman neverl =
at the same moment seizing one of the
small glasses and finging it at him
His unsteady hand missed its aim and
| il struck George, shiyering to pieces IL
| inflicting slight wound on his fore
head. He sprang up and was about tt
speak, but checking himself, quickly
turned and left the room.
Brand followed him out of door;
finding him choking with mingled feel
ings of indignation and disappointment
Gentlemen he exclaimed in angr,
contempt, as he wiped away the blood
ssthis is a fitting mark that | have beer
in the company of gentlemen at win
supperl Why did | ever go anon.
| them?"
aDoE't regret it, said Brand, earn
estly. ssLet me tell you what you hav,
mother died, long years ago, she begges
me never to taste liquor of any kind