Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-01-25
DIGBY's REFORM CLUB.

t'lVlHi splElAs III oho oS.AAA
Disbywas the acknowledged leader there
of. Peter S,ade, Tom Lowden and Sam
Pepper we're mis- az associates. They were
four young men, free he arted and gener-
Gus, with & great capability for enjoy
ment.
On a certain Monday evening they
were assembled il a small parior of
Lushton's tavt IN for the purpose of hav-
ing a good time, as they were wont to
assemble often. The season was winter,
ana tie beverage they were indulglng
in was a compound of rum, sugar, milk
and eggs, familiariy known as "Iom and
Jerry"
At the early stage of the wassail, be
fore sense had been submerged, Peter
Slade had suggested that he had com
plaint TO make against one of the digni-
taries of the town, and thereupon he
opened up his walls of depuuciation
against Parson MeeBIy, the old clergy
man of the place.
AS near as | car find out" he said,
the parson mas just the same as called
Us by name and held US up as set of
grqceless scamps."
mot certainly as bad a. that" said
John Digby. "He did certainly allude to
J
against US vas that we were prostitutIng
nobis powers and opportunities to base
and sinful pleasures. Rather fatterIng,
[ taought-especially the noble pow
ers."
"Flatcering with vengeance" said
Tom Lowden. what business is it of
his?"
"Aye," said Sam Pepper, what bust
Of i-O An llnE Mt tba
hullabaloo they made over this foreign
mission business. 1t was in connection
with that that Parson Meekly attacked
US. They had better look at home.
| think there is suffering enough under
their very noses shat had better be looked
to first"
That's So" said Slade. 81 soy charity
begins AZ bone. What do you say,
John?'
John Digby had listened attentively,
and during the conversation he had turn
ed his glass bottom up on the tavern
table.
There may be truth in what you say
he slowly and thOughtfully replied, bot
people who live in glass houses should
not throw stores. We may object to
furnishing money to these foreign mis-
siOus upon the pies that charity begins
at home and all that but the question
may come back. What have we done for
this charity at home? What have we
done to alleviate the distress of the poor
Of our town. And if we haven't done
any thing in that dlreetion-lf we don't
open our hands IN charity at ali-what
right have we to say in what direction
others shall aim then good worksW
Blank were the looks that greeted this
speech. The trio listeners were taken
aback. They hadn't expected this from
their leader.
Nov look here boys" continued John
Digby, pushing his inverted glass away
to the center of the table, and leaving il
there. Il don't like this Overhauling
that Parson MeekIy gave US any better
than you do, and propose to shut him
up"
"Hi-yah!" shouted Sam Pepper: CHATS
the talk. Pm with you"
Are you sure you have got the courage
Sam?'
Yes, sir"
Count me in" said Tom.
"And me,' added Pepper. Let US
shut the old fellow up. What's the pro-
gramme, Jack?'
"Well," answered Digby, 81 have plan
ned that We take the wind out of ParsOn
Meekly's sails by establishing a reform
club of our own, and starting mission
AIRY society on the same basis"
"Ea?'
Look ye, boys; people beside the par
son aret alkIns hard about us, and well
shut them all up in a lump. I'd like to
hit back in the most effective way. I'd
like to make them take the back track
mere in Burville in their own business
His hearers were Interested and listen
ed eagerly.
what is it, Tell us how this is to be
dont?"
"Have you the courage to do it?" eaii
John.
"We'u follow you," said p eter Slade,
"Hunor BRIGHT"
~"
"itel listen"
"Hold on" CRIED Sam Pepper. Let's
fill up before we commence"
Not with old Lushton's Tom and Jer-
ry," returned Jack. I'VE shall want the
cost OF 1t for another purpose. Turn the
glasses BOTTOM side up for the present.
NOW listen we are IN the haolt OF 10 eet-
ing mere AT tne tavern TREE evenings IN
'he week. ana our expenses TOT liquors
ano ciSatS axe d ieasI Two uoilafs an eve
mug areh they
ms was aunnttteu oy nou'
Anu III auul'loh 10 THIS spehd at
lVa7V loi'aF more week Tor peer ano
V"ohcco ON my own NOOK How Is 1t with
you:
Inc otherS aomitteo that dollar
"e ,5,H, was enough
i"uS' Fes"lleo 0oDh DlSoy, we nave
Fio week Us inc result OF our combined
anu inoiN uual expenses lot rum ana to-
oacc"' J. TOT one mink could manage
10 i've through the rest OF the winter
without any more OF 1t; and Tor the sake
Oh tns eN pertinent would De willing to
put NY snare OF that SIU TO charitable
u.s.. here 1t Is the beginning of De
q 'noer, and the winter has opened hard.
l"7re are poor famllles not far away
"hlch We can oless with our sympathy
ana heIp. we might organize b. nevo
lent society, or missionary society, on
our own hook. Do you begin TO under
stand.
They understood him perfectly: and
since he would lead they ware ready tn
follow.
In fact, theu rather liked the idea.
There was a charm of novelty and ori-
gina;ity about 1T that csptivated them.
II would he fun To purchssa fonr ar5
maat and tea and snuar and fneI and 40
sr,ppd to assist the moor sn5 ,aaSn
They were vonpy men. fnu of life an5
good feeling and had caroused onIv he
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