Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1886-11-03
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
EDITED BY THE w. G. Il. u.
A STRONG TEMPTATION,

lie rose AT ull, Ny illS Wv IL AClUioio'
His handsome, honest face, and free,
cordial manner, won him the friend
ship of all his fellow lab0rers, and
many were the invitations he received
to join them in the club
room, in the theatre, and even the
bar room. But Alfred Harris had
the pure teachings of christian
mother to Withhold him from rushing
headlong into dissipation and vice,
and all the persu ons Of his comrades
could not induce him to join them in
scenes like this. He feared the con-
sequences. One evening, one of his
fellow clerks, George Warren, the
most heightened and moral one among
them, invited Alfred to go home with
him to supper and make the acquain-
lance OF his family. The boy gladly
assented for he spent many lonely
evenings. He found his friends
family very social and entertaining.
Mrs. Warren the mother, was q
pleasant, winning, l might almost
say, facilitating woman; one of the
kind whose every little speech seems
of consequence, and whose every act,
praiseworthy. Mr.. Warren was Il
CHEEKY, social gentleman fond of tell
ing stories. and amusing young people
And Geoge's sister Jessie. a girl about
Alfed's own age. a half-bashful, half
saucy, dimpled-faced, rosy-cheeked
maiden, sparkling with wit and
pleasantly, and pretty enough for any
Young man TO fall in love with at first
sight.
This WAS Mr.. Warrem's family, and
it was no wonder that Alfred was
charmed with rhrm. They were not
wealthy people, hut were in easy
circumstances, and on a promising
road TO fortune. Alfred very soon felt
acquainted with them all as if he
had known them for years. The sup
per was delicious, especially to boy
whose small salary could afford him
only the plainest living. After supper
wine was brought Ill Mrs. Warren
poured it out herself, and with a Win
ming smile passed a glass of the spark
ling liquid to their guest. Alfred took
it with some hesitation, but did not
raise it to his lips. Each of the family
held a glass, waiting to pledge their
visitor. But Alfred feared to drink
He set the goblet on the table, while
burning flush over-spread his face
What! doyou not drink wine? asked
Mrs. Warren, in her pleasant tones
have been taught not TO drink it, said
Alfred.
You have had good teaching, doubt
not, "sald the lady," and 1 honor you
for respecting it, but think it makes
difference where and in what COM
pany you take it. I should not be
willing for George to go into a bar
room in company with dissipated
young men, and call for wine, but at
home, in the family circle, it is diff
ferent. A moderate use of wine never
hurts any one. It is only when carried
to excess it is injurious. You had
better drink yours. So little as that
will never hurt you. Jessie was sit
ting by Alfred. She took up the glass
he had set on the table and gave it to
him with charming smile. Drink
it for my sake" she said. Again he
took the goblet in his hand. The
glowing wine was tempting, but the
faces around him were more tempt
ing still. He raised it toward his lips
But at that moment there rose up be-
fore him pale, sweet face,
with pleading eyes-the face of his
mother IN heaven. The boy laid down
the glass with firm hand. and with
firm tones he said. ] can not drink
it. 1t was my mothers dying request
that should never taste of wine, and
if I disregard it now, I fear greater
G6upGdIIOuS WlIf IOllb"s
You must pardon my seeming dis
courtesy, but cannot drink it. A
silence fell upon the the little circle.
None spoke for several minutes. Then
Mrs. Warren said in voice choked
with emotion. "Forgive me my boy,
for tempting you to violate your
conscience.
Would that all young men would
show as high sense of duty. Every
one of the family put down their wine
untasted,
1.-THE boy is right" said Mr.. War
rem. drinking wine leads to deeper
rotations. We have done wrong in
setting such an example before our
children. Here, ELLEN" he called
to the servant, take away this decan-
ter. And, as the table was cleared of
the wine and glasses, Mr.. Warren said
solemnly. "Now here, in the presence
of you all, make solemn vow never
to have any more wine on my table,
or drink it myself as beverage, and
may my influence and precepts be as
binding OH my children as the re-
quest of this boys mother to him.
And Mrs. Warren softly responded
"Amen!
Mr.. Warren turned to Alferd. I'VE
are not drQplkaris or wine bibbers
here my boy. I have always preached
temperance to my children, but l
have never realized before how an oc-
casional glass OF wine if partaken ofin
good society, could injure. I see it
now. fla person can drink one glass
he can drink another, and yet another
and it is hard to know just where to
draw the line. thank you for this
lesson. 7 will show that I have as
much manlinese as mere boy. My
children, will you follow my example,
and pledge to abstain totally from
wine as beverage? I'VE will father"
a NJ