The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-08-26
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
WELDING TO THE SPIRIT.


the Pledge.
"There's no use, Dorothy" said John
Thaxter to his wife, "a little cider Is as
harmless as so much water It's my
belief that the earth was created for
man and the fulness thereof as the
parson said in his sermon recently.
And what would my old comrade. Jack
Cray, say to such fanaticismp Now
with you women, there's difference
You dear souls get together and pass
all sorts of wild resolutions not to
touch. taste or handle, when not a
mothers daughter of you can tell
sherry from elaret You amuse YOUR
selves and each other by It., but YOU
harm nobody and accomplish nothing.
II pleases you, and furnishes harmless
recreation, of which we wouldn't de
prive YOU for the world. But we mon
see things differently, my dear Doro-
thy"
There was a moments pause. Bob,
the canary, swinging in his cage among
the green vines that overran the shin
ing window panes, 'chirruped loudly in
defiance of the old cat, that lay before
the CRATE purring lazily, watching Bob
the while with greedy, half-shut eyes
Just now" pleaded Dorothy, in her
soft, persuasive accents, "there seems
TO be such an awakening on the sub
jcct of temperance, and then we have
to consider Tim, too"
Jersey the black cook. standing
just inside the kitchen door which
was slightly aiar busy concocting a
mysterious and wonderful dish, known
in her repertoire as "plum putin. r"
listening attentively, as was her won't
had the full benefit of Mr. Thaxter's
reply
"The regimental reunion occurs here
to-day; my old friend Capt CRAY will be
here for dinner, and have ordered his
favorite dessert, plum pudding with
brandy sauce and walnnts and cider.
And, Dorothy DEAR don't take occasion
TO air any OF your hobbies. You are
welcome to all the Bibles and temper
ance mottoes and badges you like. and
you are quite at liberty to adopt the
whole waits mission if it pleases
you, but | must have my privileges,
too. It's only fair Dorothy"
Hersey grinncd. Mrs Thaxter was
kind mistress, but Jersey had been
obliged to submit, most unwillingly, to
hcr authority on more than one occa.
sion, and human nature is very human,
indeed, in the relation that sabsists be
tween mistress and maid She now
tasted to the fun the sweetness of see
ing her mistress will subordinated TO
higher authority.
"Pears like she can't alters be boss"
she chucl1led. "Dat ar man, he mighty
heady when he git agwine, and pud'n's
a poor no count stuff widout brandy.
What am ypa-uns dom now, YOU
young lnmbp"
II was Tim, the waif, TO whom she
spoke; Tim, recently installed as a
member Of the household by Mrs Thax-
ter whose tender heart had been
touched with compassion FOR the poor
forlorn creature, on a recent visit to
the waits mission"
Muffin replied Tim, laconieally, AZ
Jersey, having poured out a sufficient
quantity OF the brandy set the bottle
down on the kitchen table; cant We
let fellet look on Herseyp"
He took up the brandy bottle and
eyed II covetously. "hoolSey, What a
sumner for bait when go a fshinl"
He felt OF It delightedly. II was fat
covered with wicker, and Tins greedy
glance took in its proportions.
nersey's back was toward him as she
tried The heat OF the oven with her
hand. "rl borler It. " whispered Tim,
tampering with conscience. large
glass pitcher OF cider stood near aud
Tim. hastily lest Jersey should turn
and detect him in the act, poured the
brandy into the pitcher and slipped
softly away Just in time to escape
the keen glance OF Hersey's eyes
Capt Cray was jolly and talkative
and Mrs. Thaxter enjoyed almost as
much as the two old comrades the re-
hearsal of old-time adventures in camp
and field. She began TO feel new
pride in her husbands record as a sol
der and listened with delighted interest
while the captain told anew the stories
which she had heard dozens OF times
before.
"lf YOU would like quiet place to
see the drill and marching" said Capt
NFaNs bnpfe Is q WinVOW opening from
my sitting-room at the hotel on to a
private balcony, and YOU can have it al
to yourself II you choose.
All the town had turned ont e. do
honor to the event On a p)atform At
tached TO the "band stand" were the
town dignitaries, mavor and alderman,
the survivors Of the Mexican WAR the
ministers who were to assist in the
civic ceremonies, the principal lawyer
OF the town, carelesslV tilted back in
his chair. envied Of his Younger bteth-
rem in the profession as occupying a
position which would excuse a little
SateleSshess as TO cuffs and ginger nails
DR. Crane, Mrs. ThaNter's father a
fine old man with white locks, sat be-
side him, FEELING thrill OF patriotism
as he watched the fags that iloated
from awnings and roofs and balconies,
and heard the distant sound Of martial
music, for he, too had been a surgeon
IN the service, and felt ali soldiers
pride in the occasion
MIR Forbush, ne said, leaning for
ward. to his student, talh gawky
youth with spectacles, will YOU drive
the carriage around from the Office and