The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-01-21

herself up to her full height
Mr.. Bartlett tried to straighten him
self up, but did not succeed very we'll.
He looked at the children as if he did
not see them, and began to talk; but
Susie could not understand 4 word he
said.
How sick he must be!' she thought,
while Sadie looked on in open-eyed
wonder. Il guess the sooner we get
him home, the bctter;'' and. taking his
hand, she placed it on her shoulder,
and, with Sadie on the other side, she
tried to help him home. He did not
object He leaned q little heavily on
Susie; but, fortunately, his house was
near by. Before he reached his gate,
however, he ceased mumbling, and
looked at the children as if he recog-
nized them. His head dropped, and
he leaned less heavily on stout little
Susie's shoulder
''1'm all right now," he said, with an
effort, as they opened the gate for him.
''Thank you. You needn't come in,''
and he walked up the path as if much
better.
Susie and Sadie turned to go away,
and met their mother just coming
home, to whom they told their story
Mrs. Lee looked grave, and did not
speak for some time.
''What was the matter with him, do
you suppose, mammal" asked Susie.
Mrs. Lee hesitated, but after mo.
ment answered:
''Mr Bartlett has disease, children,
which is most serious one. l am
sorry you saw him, for he was not in
his right mind But, perhaps, when he
is, he will remember that you helped
him, and he will try to help himself
more.
when he was little boy, no bigger
than your brother Arthur, his father
used to let him take sugar with brandy
on it. and he learned to like it. It
made him sick, and every year he grows
worse. and Graves the brandy more. It
is a most terrible disease. and not only
does it kill the man, but his friends all
suffer, too. That was why the boys
were asked to sign pledge the other
day, promising not to drink intoxicat-
ing liquors.
''Oh, I know all all about it now,
mammal said Susie; 'only l didn't
know he was drunk. never saw any,
body drunk before. Did they ask Mr..
Bartlett to sign, too?'
Mrs. Lee shook her head. She was
thinking how many times he had been
asked and refused, and that was no
reason why he should not be asked
again. There was no end of times that
Christ meant us to forgive our brothers;
and why should there be any limit to
the times we should try to save them:
"Well, I'm going to ask him." said
Sns:e. sturdily. Hell do it for me,
know, and I'll sign myself, if he does;
mavn't I, mamma?''
well see," answered Mrs. Lee.
''T(lere's no hurry just now"
But Susie didn't feel satisfied She
went out to play. but her busy little
brain was planning all the time how
she should do it,
After tea she slipped into the H.
bray, where she knew was the
pledge her brother Arthur had signed,
and. carefully tucking it under her
apron, she crept out of the yard and up
to Mr.. Bartlett's door, Kind, lovely
Mrs. Bartlett opened the door, and Su-
sic saw she had been crying:
Il don't believe but what he's
wo,se," she thought. but being a very
decided little girl when once she had
male up her mind, she asked for Mr..
Bar tlett.
"ae's in the the parlor," said Mrs.
Bartlett, sadly. ''You go right in. 1
think he will like to see you"
Susie walked in. Mr.. Bartlett sat in
an easy chair with book in his hand,
but was evidently not reading. He
looked up as Susie came in, but turned
away his head again. Susie went
bravely up to his chair and put her
hand on his knee.
''How do you do this evening, Mr..
Bartlett? she said. Il came over here
to bring you this paper, and ask you to
please sign it."
Mr.. Bartlett looked cross. ",Vho
sent you?" he asked rather gruffly, as
Susie unfolded it.
Nobody sent me. Nobody knew l
was coming 1 knew you were sick,
and there isn't any medicine, only this,
will cure you. Won't you please sign
it? and then I'll put my name down,
too
Mr.. Bartlett's eyes grew very wet
and tender: He lifted the little girl on
his knee.
Susie, will'sign it, and, with Gods
help, keep it, too. and you shall put
your name right after mine. l have
been myself ever since you left mo ut
the gate, and have resolved never to
touch another drop of liquor"
MARY" he called to his wife, as he
put the pen back on the table, ''come
and see what Susie and l have been
doing: Help me, all of you, to keep it.
Kits me, Susie, now, and run home
and tell your mother what you have
done"
And Susie did run as fast as she
could. ''You see there was use in
trying again." she said, in her grave,
old.fashioned way.-The Look Out
ALCOHOL is universally ranked among
poisons by Psychologists, chemists,
physicians and all who have expert
mented. studied and written upon the