The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-01-27
SUSlE'S CONVERT.
How a Drunkard Was Induced to Sig
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 playth!ngs, and running to the
fence, climbed up on it 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 and rested.
''He must be SICK" said Sadie. 81
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. ~ am sorry you
are SO sick; but if you'll lean little
on me, | can help you home,' and
Susie, who was tall of her age, drew
herself up to her full height.
aIr. 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 u 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 little heavily on
Susie; but, fortunately. his house was
near by. Before he reached his gate,
however. he ceased mumbliug. and
looked a. the children as if he recog-
ni2ed 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.
"Thanll 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 f0r some time.
What was the matter with him, do
you suppose, mamana?" asked Susie.
Mrs. Lee hesitated, but after a mo.
ment answered:
'Nr. Bart cit has a 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.
"Nyhen he was little boy, no bigger
than your brother Arthur, his father
used to let him take sugar with brandy
or it, and he learned to like it. 1t
made him sick, and every year he grows
worse. aul Graves the brandy more. 1t
is 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 l didn't
know he was drunk never saw any.
body drunk before. Did they ask Mr..
Rartlett to sign, too?"
Mrs. Lee shook her head. She was
thinking how many times he had been
asked and refused, and that was nc
reason why he should not be asked
ngain. 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 III sign myself, if he does
nayn't I, mamma?'
Wen 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
sha should do it.
After tea she slipped into the L.
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 ur
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 l'ttle girl when once she had
made up her mind. she asked for Mr.,
Bartlett.
He's 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 .chi,ir. 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 rut her
hand on his knee.
How do You do this ey ching, Mr..
Bartlett?" she said. 81 came over here
to bring you this paper, and ask you tc
please sign it"
Mr. RartlRft Looked croSS AsWhc