The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-12-18
TEMPERANCE READING.
The CHILD MESSENGERS.

Two little girls with curly hair.
AND wlnsome faces sweet and fair,
With ribbons wav ng in the breeze
IhaU came from tops of maple trees,
walked down the street one afternoon,
Each humming as they went tune.
Ihey passed some dwellings large and grand
Which mad been bu 1t by skilful hand;
Others, where poverty had come,
whose predecessor oft is rum.
=" on Bessie, lookl' cried ster Nell,
What is that costly building, tely *
why, that is a saloon oh, dearl
lwlSh there Was no rum-shOp here. -:
TN! Nelly, say, let's you and
Go in and talk W tn Mr.. Guy, IL
And tell him that he musE sell
The poison people Ike SO well.
And may be he will stop it then
And never sell the stuff again.
~'Oh! Bessie, if he only would!
But m ARA we II do no good.
But we can try it any now;
ON, look! he 5 in the doorway now"
The two approached him with some fear
Lest he at all the talk should sneer
- Good morning, Mr. Guy" they said;
Inc Itquor-dealer raised his head.
- Who are you? What do you want hereY'
The old mans tone was rough and queer.
" We're Bess aud Nellie Ames" sa d they:
ANA as we came along this way,
We thought we stop and talk with you,
. AS we had nothing else to do"
= Please, sir, strong DIR nix does lots of hurt;
II meaner than the worst of DIRT.
i, what makes you sell it, Mr. Guy,
n II lOtS OF lOlks 40 want 10 DuyI
For in the Bible have read
a, verse which should tn NIX you'd dread
Woe to him who oward neighbors lips
Holds out the glass from which he sips.
E please, Mr., won't YOU stop it, thought
Some people will be glad. know"
SobS now CONFUSED the old mans frame
AS IN his eyes the dew drops came.
lie SAID: 81 had two little girls
With rosy checks and flowing curls,
With pretty ways and eyes of blue
Ihey looked little bit like YOU.
And many time with me they've plead,
But now, the little ones are dead"
lie stopped. ana wiped away the tears
Which had not flowed before for years.
- Poor man! perhaps you didn't think
How wrong il was to sell the drink: -
But you won't sell it now, know,
because you see it hurts folks so;
But in its place have lemonade;
Or that you needn't be afraid.
In summer time, when it is hot,
Ihats nice and cool; but rum is not.
lt heats the brain and makes men mad,
Who once good sense and reason had.
Please tell $, will you sell it more?
we ought to We told you this before"
The liquor-dealer was contused;
tie hardly knew what words to choose,
10 answer such an earnest plea
That came from girls so young and free.
tie loved his silver and his gold
nhat came from quor he had sold;
But with these messengers of love-
And thoughts of h dear ones above
Could he but grant their sweet reguest2
Astrugge pas ed within his breast.
AZ last, he said: Children" said he
- You We done your duty well to me,
In telling of the wrong do,
Although knew it before you.
Yes. will grant what you have asked;
You We gained your victory ut last.
God helping me will no more
Let liquor come inside this door;
But this a Temperance house shall be.
And in Il harmless DIR nks you Il sGe.f
So child rem often may, though young
DO untold good with one small tongue
--AGttic A. Perldin, in Domestic Journal.