The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-09-02
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
BLosSY's VICTORY.
How Drunkard's Daughter Got Him y
sign the Pledge.

gloomy, with skim of snow whitening
the bare hills, and every probability OF
a heavy fall as the day closed in.
Mrs. Arnold came up from the barn,
where she had been giving the last
whisp of hay to her one milch-cow,
with small pail in her hand. A little
fairy of child, with sea-blue eyes and
sunny hair, met her in the doorway.
won't you give me just little mite
O drink, mammal" she said, coaxing-
ly; "I'm ever so hungry, and Brindie's
warm milk is so nice"
"Yes, darling, replied the mother,
putting down the pail, and going to the
cupboard for cup; poor Brindie is
short of food, and can't give much this
bitter weather, and papa will come
home hungry by and by, but Blossy
shall have little drink"
She poured out a few spoonfuls,
which the child swallowed eagerly.
"How nicer she said, smacking her
rosy lips. sob, mamma, do you re-
member how we used to have so much
milk, and nice white bread and butter,
too; when papa used to come home
early, and not-not-" She paused,
stammering and confused for mo
ment, then with tears yelling up in
her large, solemn eyes, she asked; "Oh,
mamma, what does make papa spend
all his money at the tavern, what
makes him get drunk?"
''Hush, Blossy, hush," cried the
motherlin terrified whisper; "you
mustn't say that about papa never
again. Papa is good to you, and loves
you. Never say that again."
| "No, ma am" responded Blossy, and
looking reproved and penitent, she
crept over to the lounge where an old
doll lay all bundled up in bits of cali
co and flannel. She took it up and be-
gan to pet and caress it, as she al
ways did in her moments of childish
trouble.
"Poor Dolly, poor Dolly" dropping
tears and kisses on it's faded face, "are
you ever so hungry, too? Does your
Brindie cow only give mite O. milk.
and your papa go to the nasty tavern
and spend all his money? I'm sorry for
you, poor Dolly"
The sound of bitter sobbing from the
adjoining room arrested her attention.
1t was her mother weeping as it hel
| heart would break. A brave, hopeful
little woman, for the most part, who
bore her sad life with accomplishing
patience. But at times the strongest
hearts give way, and in the face of the
dreary winter storm, without ia Iol
fire, and her husband spending his ddily
wages at the dram-shop, poor Mrs. Ar
mold was as weak as a babe.
Blossy listened to her mothers sob,
with wide, grave eyes and quiverinl
lips.
"Dollx,"s she whispered at last tn,
rosy mouth close to the dolls face, ,
suddeperesolve thrilling through he
sweet voices dolly, can't we do some
thing-you and me, Dolly? We mus
try; Door mamma mustn't cry like that
Come, Dolly, you won't mind the snow
will your"
She caught up little red hood an
huddled it over her bright head, ant
hugging the old doll close against he
brave little heart, went out into tn
darlSening storm.
Through the gate, down by the bar
where Brindie was munching her las
feed of hay, across the bleak common
into the broad highway-never paus
ing, never faltering, though the pitiles
winds faced her and the white snow
covered her like garment
At the door of the country tavern sh
paused to take breath.
Warren Arnold sat within in a war;
corner with mug of hot liquor befor
him and half dozen boon companion
nat his elbow.
y The little snowy figure and white
wistful face rose before him like
ghost. He bounded to his feet in amaze
ment.
Good heavens, It's Blossy. Why
child, what's the matter at home?"
Blossy quailed for moment an
then she stood up, strong in her pul
pose, facing the cruel eyes that gaze
upon her.
"Nothings the matter, papa" an nj
utterable pathos in her young voice
"only poor mammals crying, and there
no fire, and no bread, and-and-B
, sy's ever so hungry; and, papa, Low,
won't you please come home, and nevt
come to this nasty tavern again"
, The man had heart, and the child
appeal went straight to its core.
sudden thrill of emotion half sobere
? him.
by George! l will" he reptile,
, crossing to her side. 'Come, Biossy
He caught her hand, and drew h,
, after him out into the thickly fallir
: snow. Half dozen yards end 81
looked up timidly to his face.
Are you very angry, papa?" 81
faltered. Don't scold Blossy. 1t W,
so cold, and mamma cried so. that
took Dolly and came. You won't SEQ
e Blossy?"
For answer he caught her up, an
. covered her face with tears and kisse
mo, Blossy, l won't scold," in
: hoarse, ehoked voice; "and by Heaven
i help you shall never come on anoth
/ such errand. Come, let's 60 TO 70,
riother nowm
q mo, papa" looking up solemn
!, through the drifting flakes; "thert
' something you must do before we
y to mamma. VIII you, papa, love?"
d Yes, Blossy, I'll do anything "
say"
c Then come across to Mr.. Thor
IS toms, and sign the pledge. THAI
e where the men go to do it; and Their,
e his house through the trees Win yo