The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-10-08

UNI tlitti W ltdI tlC lGdIIul ObbIIS slllu
maudlin songs, they scarcely dared to
move, lest some sound should provoke the
anger of the half-crazed man whose voice
was londest and whose laugh was the most
reckless. At length, when comparative
silence had reigned for a few minutes,
one said:
"Let us try something different. We
have been hard cases a good while. Won
der how it would seem to turn over a new
leaf? | promised my wife I'd be home
early and get up some wood to burn; but
when Cotton invited me to help empty
his jug | forgot all about the wood"
s'Too bad about your wife," responded
another with a sneer. sCold night to be
without a fire. | left plenty of wood for
my folks to burn, but | suppose they'd
feel better to have me round. | promised
my old mother | wouldn't touch a drop
of liquor for Il month; but | can't keep
any such promise when Cotton has a
party" And the speaker laughed at
what he considered a sally of wit.
His, however, was the only laugh.
Something had sobercd the company.
"Wonder if | couldn't give yoa an in
with an oath.
Try us and see" was replied.
81 WILL he answered quickly" will.
viii yon sign pledge not to drink an
other drop of liquor for a year? How
many will do that ~
'.WilI you do it yourself?" asked one.
Il will so help me God!a he responded,
bringing his hand down upon the table
before him.
Taking from a cupboard pen, ink, and
paper, he wrote the pledge. to which he
and the others signed their names
Then, throwing open the door of the
room where his family was sitting in cold
and darkness, he babe them to come out
and hear what he had to tell them. But
words failed him, and he could only give
the crumplcd paper to his wife, who read
it, and then passed it to his mother, who
exclaimed:
"Thank God, my son, and may He give
yon the strength to perseverc to the end.'
There were tears, and prayers, and
thanksgiving, the children hardly COM
pretending the situation until their grand
mother explained it, and their father kiss
ed them as he had not done for many a
day.
Then wood was hcaped higher in the
broad fireplace. and such food rs the
house contained was brought forward.
1t was enough for the aged mother that
her prayers were answered, enough for
the wife that her husband cravcd forgive
ness for neglect and unkindness, but the
Younger members Of the family were eager
to. satisfy their hunger.
1t was soon known that six drunkards
had pledged themselves to a years absti-
nence from all Intoxicating drinks, in
Guiding cider. Their friends reioiced,
although with many fears; yet as months
went by, and they gave no sign of return
ing to their former habits, they gained
more and moro the confidence Of the peo-
pie.
A relative of Freeman Cotton advised
him to seek employment in the city, of
fering to assist him with both none and
influence. This offer was accepted, and
the family soon left the old honsc for a
home among the strangers.
In a rapidly growing city the skillful
mechanic found his skill appreciated;
and, having free scope for his talents, he
proved himself a competent architect.
Orders flowed in upon him, until he en-
ploycd a large number of men. His work
was thoroughly done; his contracts were
fulfilled to the letter. He was accounted
a prosperous business man, and the rela-
tive who had assisted him felt more than
repaid for every effort made on his behalf.
Never once had he broken the pledge,
which at the end of a year had been re-
newed for life. As he had accumulated
no property, he was still obliged to ask
for credit, which was readily granted,
with the same name upon his notes as
surety for their payment.
At last he contracted to build an addi-
ion to a large hotel. and while suporin-
tending his workmcn the proprietor came
to him with a foaming pitcher of strong
beer with which he proposed to ''treat'
all present. Mr.. Cotton declined it firm
ly even after much urging and the repeat
ed assurance that it was as harmless as
cold water. Most OF the men drank, and
then there was another temptation for the
master-mechanic. to which, however, he
did not yield. But the beer was pressed
almost to his lips, and whether by acct
dent or design, it was spilled so that he
could not avoid tasting it.
For a moment ho looked around as if
dazed, thcn seized the glass and drained
it. Another and another was drained,
and then he went his way. His pledge
was broken. He knew only too well that
the beer contained alcohol. He did not
attempt to deceive himself in regard to
this, ana it was not long before he drank
the strongest liquors, careful only to con-
eeal the fact AS much as possible. He