The Press., 1893-06-15
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
A Timely Inyitsstion.
MRS. ANNIE A. PRESTON.

Ssl)l there are those Jary1S boys going home from their work P said Robert Vol colt to his friends John Branch and Ellis Farnum late one frosty winter afternoon. ts.I will run across and invite them to come to meeting this evening y
 oh, what's the use, Rob, replied John. "They wouldn't come. Such kind of people are hard to get hold of, and they might think you were making fun of them. You don't quite look their kind. you known And he laughed 8 little as he glanced from his daintily-dressed con- panion, across the main street of the bust ling borough to the two shabbily attired lads, one with a saw horse on his shoul- der, and the other with wood saw, an axe and 8 basket.
 Fl do not believe they would take my invitation amiss. They are sensible-look- ing fellows, and fancy they are having a hard time. am sorry for them"
 4tSo am I, of course," said John sbut in order to help them the town must vote mo license, and Grants saloon must be shut up.n
 "Who are they, anyway ?" asked Ellis. 'sI don't think I ever saw them before."t
 II dare say not. They moved short time ago from up above the state line somewhere, and live in one of the Crooked Alley tenements," said Rob; and John continued:
 "They have evidently seen better days. The mother and sons work very hard at anything they can find to do, and the father spends all of their earnings that he can get hold of for liquor; he passes most of his time at Grants saloon.''
 .Deplorable! said Ellis, emphatically. .'Some sort of raid ought to be made on that saloon. I will make the first move tby going in there tonight when the church belirings for evening service, and inviting tthe whole crowd to the meeting"
 There would be no use in doing any thing so unusual as that,' began John; but with hasty:
 Be sure you are at the church in good season. ? his companions left him. going in opposite directions.
 Robert crossed the street at rapid pace, and had soon overtaken and was ir step with the Jarvis boys, and saying cordially: ssWin you not both come IT to the brick church, with your mother, tc the meeting this evening?"
 I've look like if, don't we?' said Flu gene, the oldest boy, in 3 resentful voice and his brother added politely:
 ssThank you, we should be glad to ac cept but you see it would be impossible. E Rob gave quick glance at the. twt twell formed lads. and then exclaimed i'm iFetacasly but with the utmost Kindness | Actually, am ashamed of myself fol being so comfortable" ," and as he rapidly unbuttoned his ulster, he continued s'This is too large for me. It will just if you, Ned, and have at home coat enough" "
 l "Oh, stop, please; no, sno! cried th' Jarvis brothers, both talking at once.
 "You are very kind, and you mean al right, but please don't think we are to- proud, it isn't that; but we couldn't talk any such thing home. It would be of n' use. You see-well, our father,-he ha not been so always, s,-the things would b in old Grants hands at the saloon befor the church bell rang" l "Oh, dear!" cried Rob. "Can you for give me for. forcing you to speak of it
 but the Lord must have been in it, so g to give me chance to help you out. M
 mother says the Lord always gives hi people opportunities to do everything tha ought to be done in this world, but we ar not always willing to avail ourselves C
 the Lords way and the Lords time."
 s.I fancy the Lord has forgotten us,