The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-12-05
A GRAND SUCCESS.


Perance Pledge.
We just had a dreadful time at our
house that morning. Papa looked so
stern and yet 50 sorry, and mamma
was sick, and Cousin Clare's eyes were
ell pink with crying.
May and l didn't know what it all
meant, only we guessed that Brother
Ned had been doing something very,
very naughty; for he didn't come to
breakfast till we were most through;
and then. papa was so angry with him,
though he didn' say much.
Ned just drank a cup of coffee for
his breakfast, and as soon as he could
get away, he went off for ride.
After awhile, Cousin Glare told us to
put on our things and we would take a
walk together. She wasn't a bit like
herself that day, for she walked along
so quiet and solemn, and only said
yes and mo- to what May and
said. Pretty soon Ned rode up behind
us, and he GOT off his horse and walked
along beside Cousin Glare.
May didn' t pay much 'tention; she's
a little thing-only six and half; I'm
eight, and listened to what they were
saying, and tell you twas awful! L
heard Ned say;
Il want to know just how it was; l
want to get at the bottom Of this
thing"
She just bit her lips asst she were try
ing to keep from crying, but she kept
still till he said:
Let me feel that know the very
worst"
Then she spoke up real firm, though
her voice trembled;
''Aunt and ] were sitting up when
we heard noise of stumbling and
shutting; and then the bell rang.
When the door was opened, you were
held up by two or three men, all Of
them tipsy; and when you got inside,
you fell down"
Say it out" said Ned, real excited.
Il was dead drunk. or beastly drunk
whatever you call it.
Clare kept still, though the big tears
kept dropping to the ground.
"And how-did mother take -
it?' as if every word hurt him.
''She thought at first you were hurt
or sick, but when she found it was
worse, she clasped her hands and
looked as if She wanted to die"
well he said, Il hadn't any idea
that | was taking more than usual, but
l suppose did. and made fool of my
self
That's Just what he said, truly My!
but did feel badly! | told May when
we got home, and we Just cried and
| cried. Then we went to Cousin Glare,
and had long talk with her about it.
She told us then that the wrong was in
taking it at all. May and I was sur
priScd at that. for didn't papa have his
glass of sherry every day after dinner?
But Glare said that if no one tasted it,
no one would be a drunkard.
We both said we'd never, never
touch it, and she wrote out a pledge,
and we put our names down, and 50
did she. | like Cousin Glare; I'm 60
ing to be young lady just like her
when | grow up.
All at once, May looked at me, and |
looked at her. We both thought the
same thing.
Why couldn't we try to get papa and
Ned to put their names down, tooP
We took the paper to mamma
room, and she kissed us, and said we
might try. But, before we went, she
had us kneel down with her, and she
prayed that God would save her boy
and help us all to do right.
| | tell you we felt solemn! We most
wanted to give up-that is, did, but
May said she was going to 90, anyhow,
and | felt 'shamed to have little thing
| like that beat me; so we waited till
after dinner, and went to the dining
room when every one was gone and
papa was alone with his bottle and
glass of sherry. He looked 'stonished
when we walked in and laid the paper
and pen and ink before him, and then
we thought he was angry, he looked so
for minute; l wanted to run, but
| said
"It's to save brother Ned, papa"
| Then he put his head down on the
| table and cried, and said, 40 dreadful
like, Just as if his heart was breaking
"Oh, my son, my son! would to God
l had died for theer'
We would have gone away, but he
hadn't signed yet. May kept her arm
over his neck and sroked his hair and
petted him lots-she's the lovingest lit
tie thing!
BY and by, when papa raised his
head and put his arm around us, l said
again:
Papa, please, and then we can ask
| Ned. ~
He took the paper and read it all
over again. and then he put us down
and walked up and down the room for
the longest time; and there was the
glass of sherry he hadn { tasted yet.
At last he went to the table, took up
the glass--and we felt SO disappointed,