The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-01-22
SUSIE'S CONVERT.
How q Drunkard Was Induced to Sign
the Pledge.

the Pledge.
"What makes Mr. Bartlett walk so
funny?" said little Sadie Lee, as she
and her sister Susie were playing in
the yard one day.
LET me see!" cried Susie, who was
busy building an oven. She dropped
her playthings, and running to the
fence, climbed up on 1t beside Sadie
and looked earnestly at their neighbor,
who was coming down the street
Poor man! he could not walk very
well, and every now and then he
leaned against tree aud rested
He must be sick" said Sadie. II
wish mamma was at home, She'd
know what to give him."
Lets go and see what we can do"
suggested Susie. Don't you remem-
Der how he took us to ride once?
think we ought to help him, to pay
back" and sturdy Susie opened the
gate and marched down the street,
with Sadie following more timidly
How do you do, Mr. Bartlett?" said
Susie, very politely. II am sorry you
are so sick; but if you'll lean little
on me, l can help you home" and
Susie, who was tall of her age, drew
herself up to her full height.
Mr.. Bartlett tried to straighten him
self up. but did not succeed very well.
He looked at the children as if he did
not see them, and began to TALK but
Susie could not understand a 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 BETTER" 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 a 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.
I'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 a mo-
ment answered.:
mir. Bartlett has disease, children,
which is most serious one. | 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 1t
made him sick. and every year he grows
worse. and Graves the brandy more 1t
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, ] know all all about it now,
mammal" said Susie; "only 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
Susie. sturdily Hell do it for me, /
know, and I'll sign myself, if he does;
mayn't l, mamma?'
"We1l see," answered Mrs Lee.
"There'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 Ii
brary, 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
worse" she thought, but being very
decided little girl when once she had
made up her mind, she asked for Mr..
Bartlett
Hes in the the parlor," said Mrs
Bartlett, sadly. You go right in.
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 chaSr 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 "Who