The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-05
SOMETHING WAS DONE.
The Boys Temperance Society-Cuttin
the Dragons Claws.


81 wish something could be DONE"
said Willy Westcott.
$50 do ~ sobbed his thin-faced,
weary mother, wiping her eyes.
The two stood at shabby old window,
side by side, watching shabby man
crawling down the street toward the
saloon kept by Simon Perry. The boys
called him "Old Claws In the win
dow of his rum-shop, besides the black
bottles, there was heap of fish-hooks,
an article he sold to fishermen, and
which suggested the claws of the dragon
"Drink" protruding in all directions
and ready to fasten on any victim.
"Wish was man! I'd see, mother,
if / couldn't shut up Old Claws, where
father goes exclaimed Willy.
swish you were," said his mother.
He was silent moment.
"Motherp' he soon broke out again.
"Why can't boy do something? They
say every body has the right of petition.
Why haven't boys that right?" His blue
eyes flashed, he threw back his head,
and in a manly fashion talked away:
"Why haven't boys the right of petit
ton? Iguess we can do something if
we start out for it. Now, mother, l
mean to lay it before our Boys Temper
ance Society this afternoon. Not fell
low but will help, l know"
The Temperance society met in the
barn-chamber of its president, Manning
Randall boy with big head and
philanthropic face.
Gentlemen will please come to order,
and the secretary read the report of last
meeting"
Nahum Brown, boy wearing eye
glasses, read the report, which was ap-
proved.
ANY gentleman have any business
to bring before the meeting?" shouted
Manning.
The society for lack Of something to
do had almost died. There was pause.
Suddenly Willy Westcott sprang upon
his feet. The drunkards son biushed
and his tongue hitched, but he spoke
his piece: 'Mr. President-couldn't we
boys-hand in petition--to the select
men-to stop-rum-selling?"
He sat down. The consciousness that
his father was victim of the saloons
brought those blushing cheeks and that
stammering tongue.
"Mr. President"
Every boy turned toward the speaker.
1t was Jimmy Harmon, short boy with
black, curly hair, and lisping but
ready tongue. The boys used to say he
would surely go to Congress. "Mr.
Prethident, go for that. Boyth ought
to be heard. Why thouldnt boyth pc.
tition? Haven't they righth? 1 thay
leth put thith thing through" When
he said through" he screamed it out
as if from the top Of a ladder Every
body will be on our thide-motht every
body. Old Clawths won't. thay lie,
nth cut hith clawth for him."
The society furiously applauded.
Nahum Brown rose. He had q
learned way of speaking. "Mr. Presi
dent, l am more than ever convinced
that my friend, Mr.. James Harmon
will 60 to Congress. What has beer
proposed is in my opinion very good
good thing-I mean measure. Do
understand that my friend, Mr. Har
mon, makes motion?"
''That it'll what mean, right off, ant
the thooner the better" said Jimmy
his face redder than ever
81 second the motion, Mr.. President,
said the secretary.
The big-headed president now rose t.
put the motion, and then declared i
carried. Besides the boy that made tn,
motion and the one that seconded it
there was one other boy, Willy West
colt, to vote upon it, So nigh unit
death had this society come!-a fate sur
to overtake all do-nothing bodies.
This society, though, saved itself jus
in time, and as 1t circulated its petitio
an energy was developed that augure
most hopefully for the future. TIL
meetings were we'll attended. The men
bership grew. Indeed, every thin
grows when any organization goes t
work. Muscles always shrink when W
do not use them. So the Boys Temper
ance Society grew as the petition grew
Some of the old folks wanted to sign tn
petition. The girls, always ready fc
good works, wished to help. Wis
heads, though, said: LET it be boy
affair."" and before the selectme
marched as wide-awake, enthusiastic
set Of young masculines as ever wa
raised between the two poles of til
earth.
"Tut-tut! said Old Claws, when h
saw the boys filing into the selectmen
room. ''Those young fee-nat-icks
really goin' to put that thing through
Guess I'll 60 over to say word agi
EN-"
So the dragon freshly sharpened
claws and went over to the fight. Som
body else went from the den of the o
beast. That was John Westcott, Willy
father. He hardly knew why he wer
9 Perhaps he was curious. Perhaps
e followed the dragon just because he W
one of his victims.
The selectmen, three in number, {
= cupied their usual seats. There W
= Simon Stone, man that had no &C
l. science. There was John Knapp, W
c had a conscience, but it had gone
sleep over the rum-traftic There v