Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-11-06
THE PLEDGE PURSE.
BY EMMA eARRIsoN JONES.


"Gcorge, dear" said Mrs. Prescott,
looking up from her basket OF mend
ing, as she and her husband sat by
their flrcside one winter night, "has
it ever occurred to you that it is time
our boys were signing the pledge?'
Mr.. Prescott tossed aside his paper
with laugh
There YOU go, my dear, and really
| expected it. The wonder is you
haven't caught the fever sooner"
"What fever, George:"
"Why, this temperance fever that
seems to be Grazing everybody Just
now. The towns full of il; every
second man ! meet wears 4 gray ro-
settle in his button-holc, and every
church is converted into a temperance
hal; but the thing wont last-such
spasmodic movements never do"
His wifc's bright eyes grew wistful
and cloud crossed her pretty, fresh
face. She was happy little woman.
the mother of three promising boys,
and always busy and full of plans for
the comfort of her family.
at is a good movement, George"
she continued. 81 trust it will be
WotGd, size added, with spirit, Z
the known men of the town, the
strong, rc'iab.c men like yourself,
George, woull take hold of it,"
Much obliged for the compliment,
my love- laughed her husband. "but
l don't think Pm in any danger of be-
coming a drunkard."
"Nor do l, George; but you are not
Il temperance man, and there's always
danger in having aught TO do with
SIM"
"Why, Lizzie, how much in earnest
you seem. You've caught the fever
without doubt. You always had a
weakness for running after fashions.
But. really, child, Fin in no danger.
I'm not total abstinence man, I'll
admit; ever since | can remember I've
had my drink or two day, but l
never was intoxicated in my life, and
] never expect 10 be"
81 trust not, George, but you have
sons, and there's no telling into what
errors your example may lead them" 5"
"Why, ,~,!s.ss .issgie s.g.i.es,, sda. you mean 10 say
! Sc: my boys bad cxample?"
"No, George, there never was a
better husband and father than You
are, but you teach your boys to drink
intoxicating liquors. We have wine
on the table occasionally, and almost
every morning the boys have their
toddy.'
"And you lave always mixed the
beverage my dear, aud shared il round
TO US
"That's not much Lizzie"
No; bat 1t counts up. And how
much does your private drinking
amount to, do you suppOse?"
"Bless my soul, Lizzie, what la.
come over you? Ten cents sometimes,
never more than a quarter"
Each day?'
"Yes. You don't grudge me that
trifling amount, do you:'
al grudge you nothing, George,
that will make you and your boys
happy" cried his wife, her eyes filling
with tears; "but ! wish you could
see this matter as do The Ashford
boys were here an evening or so ago
and they wore their blue temperanc,
badges on their jackets"
q Larry, why don't y0u fellow,
sign the pledge? 1t is SO awfully
jolly said one of them
"Our Lawrence laughed, just as yor
laughed at me minute ago, George
lie is his fathers own son, my hand
some Larry, and it would break m,
heart to see him do wrong.
q It's jollier TO drink your socia
glass, and have your hot toddy wheI
you feel dull, he replied. MY falheI
thinks the pledge humbug, and so dC
l."
"Did Larry say that?" asked Mr.
Prescott.
"Those were the words, George
and they cut me 10 the heart. Now
husband, you have never denied m'
anything since the day you made m
your happy wife--don't deny me this
Let us Danish all sorts of intoxicating
drinks from our house, and do tax
your boys by the hand and make ther