The Lamar register., 1893-04-01
CAPT. TOMS PROMISE.

widows weeds.
"Good-by, Tom, my good boy" stand
ing on tiptoe to kiss him; you'll not
forget your mother when you're gone;'
lie looked down. and his keen, blue
gray eyes filed with tears, and ,.4e firm
lips, beneath his tawny beard, trcmblcd
like woman's.
NO, mother" half-sob in his voice,
'In not forget you"
Il know YOU won't, my good. hand
some Tom she responded. pattinc and
caresSins his arm with her childish,
dimpled hands. You never caused
your mothers heart an hours sorrow
in all your life. and youn not begin
now 1 shall pray for You increasingly,
and you'll come back TO me- Tom. am
sure the good God will bring you back
TO me. ono word more, Tom Here's
my little Bible" drawing small pack
age from her bosom; your father and
used to read it together Mind. Tom,
dear. and make it your guide and com
panion. and you'u never 70 astray.
Army life is full OF temptations, my
boy. but for little mothers sake youll
not yield To thernt'
NO mother"
And, Tom. dear. your abstain from
strong drink-you won't look ou the
wine when 'tis redI' You'll promise
me that"
Yes. little mother
'AH right; youll not break your
promise. Tn sure Of that. Whenever
~
them in a sociAl glass. think Of little
10 see my boys handsome head brought
low by strong drink"
You shall never sec &. mother. Good
by again-there goes the bugie-I must
be off. Take care Of yourself, little
mother"
'Ay. ny. Tom
He slung his knapSack across his
broad shoulders and strobe down the
dewy lane, the summer sunshine shin
ing brightly ON his burnis.-,- arms and
soldier blue. In an hours time he had
Joined his regiment, and was under
marching orders for the seat Of war.
A sultry summer night in Southern
Virginia The sky hot and brassy. a
lurid. crescent moon hanging over the
smoky fields and long lines Of SHIN
mering bayonets.
a group OF officers We're drinking and
chatting in the coloncrs tent
Come. Tom. my lad" said gray
bearded old major. addressing the tail
young captain of calvary company.
come, my lad. here's glass OF good
old whisky to cool you blood and iir''
your courage. We've bloody work to
do before the moon goes down
He extended the brlmming glass, and
Tom put out his hand to receive it.
He was out of sorts that sultry even
ing. His head throbbed win dull
pain, and choking sensation at his
throat almost stifcd him. The pending
enga cement would be his first battle.
and. despite his tall figure and sinewy
limbs. and tawny beard, poor Toms
heart thrilled and throbbed with some
thing that was almost fear.
He crayed the clear, fiery liquor that
sparkled so temptingly. II would make
linn strong for the terrible conflict In
which he must soon take part He
took the brimming glass from the
majors hand. The officers rose in
mass, clanking their sabers.
Here goes" cried the colonel. clink-
ing his glass against that OF his nearest
neighbor; wen pledge our absent
wives and sweethearts, boys
He drained his glass. and n dozen
others followed his example, but tail
Capt Tom put down his still brim-
ming and untasted. He had no wife
or sweetheart in the fnr-off New Eng
land village where he was born, but he
had his little mother,'
And In that moment Of supreme temp
tation. her sweet, fair face seemed to
rise between him and the fatal glass,
and her voice spoke in his ear:
No. Tom, don't for little mothers
sakc,''
He put down his glass untasted-
Never in all his brave young life had
he willfuIly disobeyed his little moth
err" never since the hour when his
father died. and gave her TO his keep
ing. had he caused her n moments
pain He would not do so now. She
would know-some subtle influence.
flashing Ike electric fire from the
Southern battle-ground TO the old cot
taga amid the New England hills, would
warn her IL he broke his promise and
yielded TO temptation
Why. what's up. cap'nt' cried the
major: haven't turned teetotalcr. have
you. old boy? Come, down with your
whisky
But Tom shook his head. and heed
less of their jeers and laughter, turned
away. leaving the sparkling glass un-
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