The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1888-03-08
A Short StOry-With a Moral.

A SuOFt StOry-hin Moral.
The following sketch, written for il &. I. Lodge
paper, was sent to the Journal for publication;
Some ten years since there lived i'll the town of
b. two Young men of about sixteen years of age
of the names of John and James of good steady
habits and good moral character. Atout that time
a temperance lecturer came to the place and had Il
meeting at the school house. At the close of the
discourse he invited those present who were de-
slous to meet the next evening to organize lodge
of Good Tcmplals to rise A goody number hay
ing risen meeting was appointed. John WAS
there but James was not. A lodge organized
with John a member. The next day John met
James and inquired why he not at the meet
ing. lie said they too particular. As to
abstaining from drinking ardent spirits that was
all right but to undertake to keep folks from drink
ing cider that was all nonsense. New cider would
not hurt any lie liked it and his father made
it and he should drink it. John reasoned with
him as best he could but to no effect The lodge
prospered, with John very prominent and active
member.
About two years later Johns father consented
thrt he might leave home to seek for business on
his own account. He took from the lodge his
certificate of membership and left home and
arrived at the village Of NJ. near night and put up
at the public house. Early in the evening some
young men called there and spoke of going to the
lodge that night. John found opportunity to give
to one of them the Good Templars sign of recogni-
ton which was responded to and John was invited
to go with them to the lodge. lie went. Some of
the business men Of the place present, ana as
John stranger he was taken notice Of by the
members. The next morning John went ont t"
look led nj a arrocpry
establishment. lie was pleased to notice il The
proprietor one who was present at the lodge the
last evening. He approached him and calling his
attention said he was stranger seeking employ
mcnt. The proprietor on noticing him said '.You
are the stranger that in the lodge last evening
are you not?" He answered 81 am, sir" and pro-
duced his certificate of membership. Mr. b, the
proprietor, said 81 feel it my duty as "A Good
Templar to assist you in finding business. | have
all the help need now about my premises. But
have man named Smith with my team delivering
goods that don't care much to keep. lie spends
his leisure in drinking houses and is himself one
of the customers. You may come here for this
week at least and in that time will find you
place some where. At the end of the week smitl,
was discharged and John put in his place. In
less than year John was taken into the store and
he is now partner in the firm in profitable bust
ness and has married the proprictor's youngest
daughter and he credits his good success to being
Good Templar.
But return to James with sorrow. He from
drinking new cider, became an habtual ,rinker OF
old and this contracted desire for stronger drink
and he spends his leisure and some more at drink ing
houses till very late hours with very disreputablc
company and many times is seen reeling home to
broken hearted wife. lie never meant to be q
drunkard, but he loved cider and it led to his
| ruin and the ruin of those connected with him.
| desire all young men to follow the fortunes OF
| those two young men and with much care dcci,l,
| which example they will follow.