News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-04-15
A WOMAN'S INFLUENCE.
BY ELLA HINES sTRATToN.

BY ELLA HINES STRATTON.
''Heard the latest news, Norman9
What, is it possible that you haven't
heard what is causing such excitement
among the fellows of our set2 Well,
Dora Ellsworth has joined the tenn
perance novel No more rare, old wine
for US at the Ellsworth receptions! Cad,
it's too badl Such delicious wine as
they always have there. wonder what
possesses all the women nowadays2 1t
looks as though they suspected we would
not be able to control our appetites and
had taken the reins in their own
hands"
And the speaker, young man of
twenty-four or five, threw the stump of
his cigar from the open window, and
settled himself comfortably in the easy
chair for discussion with his lawyer
friend, whose Office he had just entered.
Norman FitZ James started, and his
face flushed hotly at his friends words,
but he answered calmly, so calmly, in
deed, that Charlie Kelly, with all of his
eager curiosity as to how he would take
the news, did not detect the tremble in
his voice, nor know that the shadows
had suddenly overspread the bright
springtime of his love, as the clouds
sweep across an April sky.
Dora Ellsworth was his promised
bride, and in this new move he read
anxiety for his welfare-and knew, with
quick intuition, that his liking for an
occasional social glass was secret from
her no longer. Not that he was drunk
ard, oh, no, pride still held the will in
obeisance, and the appetite was not yet
strong enough to overcome self respect.
He never went reeling through the
streets, singing bacchanal songs, but
more than once he had gone into her
presence with flushed face and wine
frightened eyes, and love, ever watch
full, had read the shameful secret and
planned for his reform. He realized it
all as he listened in shamed silence to
his friends versatile account of the tenn
perance move, which occupied all
minds
'tAnd she has reception tonight A
gay snare to entrap us poor fellows there
to sign the pledge, suppose" Charlie
went on. ''You will go, of course, Nor
man"
"Certainly," answered Fitz James alb
sently, wondering what his reception
would be.
"Shall call at your housei It's on
my way, you know" said Charlie as he
arose to go.
'1f you please" the lawyer answered,
and his friend went out, convinced that
there was something, some mystery, in
| Fitz James calmness that he could not
| fathom.
81 thought he would be terribly cut
up about it," he muttered, as he saun,
tered down town to hear the latest news
81 fancied he had better chance to wiz
the fair Dora's love than the rest of US
But one thing is certain, if it is so he
will have to give up his wine. know
Dora Ellsworth enough to know that
Heigho, time will tell"
Left alone in his office, Norman Fit;
James locked the door and walked the
floor with quick, excited steps anC
downcast gloomy eyes. Memory, eve
faithful, held before his mind scenes O
the past and sternly asked if there wa
not reason to fear the power of the wine
cup, even for Norman Fitz James. Low,
and anger waged the war and ange
conquered.
t'If she cannot trust me now she neve
will, !" he muttered, land if she think
to drive me to reform she will find ou
her mistake"
Then, as a sudden wave of Tenderness
and love swept away his angry doubts
he san upon a chair, buried his face il
his hands, and cried aloud:-
''But l loved her so! Oh, Dora, m,
darling, came back to mep'
| Tb,1u with human inonOS1StenoU an(
Jealous blindness, throwing the who'll
blame upon her, who stood before hin
in social reform.
The sun was dropping below tn
western horizon, and evening shadow
covered the spring landscape, whel
Norman Fitz James at last left his Office
and threaded his way along the bus.
streets to his home. AS he entered tn
family sitting room he found his favorit'
sister fashioning rosettes from knots o
ribbon; he took one from the table.
"What are these for2" he asked will
an attempt at playfulness.
''For our temperance band" sh
answered with bright smile.
"AhI" he said bitterly, as he dropped
it.
This fanatical movement, then, was t.
enter his own home, his own sister, hi
confdant in all things, was to be turnet
against him too2
eyes, and you must join us, Norman
You have an influence over the men O
your set that we want to use on the righ
side. There's no knowing what goo,
we may do. Dora Ellsworth has joined
and is working bravely. She will hav
no wine at her reception tonight Sh
will exert great influence as she is sue
society leader. What brave, nobl
example she is giving, isn't she, Nol
man2 was afraid that she would shrin
from active work, but it's plain to
, seen that her heart is in the cause.
called there this afternoon, and she wa
practicing a new song for to night.
] stood by the door until it was finished
, could not disturb her She sang it O
though her heart was in the words.
D could almost fancy she had a drunke
lover, but that's absurd, of course, No
man. We all know you do not drink
1t was lovely song, so sad and tende
You will hear it tonight, and d.
clare, it is time to dress. Here, Norman
you shall have one badge if you are nj
vet a member" and fastening it to Ii
coat, she ran lightly up the stairs, unmint
full that every word she had uttered CT
her brother more keenly than tw
edged sword,
Norman gazed at the tricolored badl
with mingled feelings of wounded pyi(