The Press., 1893-06-29
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT.
How Mrs. Cameron Joined the w. 0. T. U.
 BY MRS. s. M. HART0uGH.

I was.a pretty little place with one street for business and the rest of the town giv- en over to homes. liked very much to walk about taking local notes and won- dering about the inhabitants. I We had placed our church letter with the pastor of our choice and had received the right hand of fellowship from him and some of the members. A few had called upon us, but as yet had not many ac- quaintances. The people were very con- servative, and as the town was old 8 new comer was rarity, and could not be re- ceived into society on probation.
 One sunshiny afternoon as I sat alone, l was surprised by call from a lady who introduced herself as Mrs. Merrifind. She was sweet-faced, modest, tall and fine looking" I assured her of my pleasure at her visit, and invited her to come in, which she did. The usual remarks fol- lowed, only just those things which new aequaintances ask of each other, until she inquired if l was member of the W. c. T. U. I was obliged to answer in the l AOSotLNO, ouU SlS1uS hOI dO UIl0 5tulO GIIue the assurance that my sympathies were in the work and my admiration for it's leader unbounded.
 "Wouldn't you like to join our union here?" was her next inquiry. "We need you very much.',
 hesitated, not being prepared to com init myself to such step.
 "We are so few" she continued, "and the work is so great. I wish you would join us. We have a meeting tomorrow. Will you go with me if call for you?" Here was dilemma right upon me- There could be no equivocation now. I must answer positively, so I said: sI think you will have to excuse me to-mor- row, much as appreciate your kindness But some other time will be pleased to accompany you"
 And join us ?'' she asked eagerly.
 Perhaps" returned.
 ''Oh, unguarded speech" said to my self as soon as my caller was gone; "that is the sort of woman who will not take excuses. Your perhaps and that other concession that you would be pleased to accompany her sometime' will not be lost her.
 The next week Mrs. Merrifind called again. Her face beamed as I opened the door and she said: -''I thought I would call to see if you were ready to go with me to our w. c. T. U. meeting. It is such pleasant day and our president is going to read paper on heredity which I think will be very interesting"
 didn't want to go and I quickly cast about inmy mind for a plausible excuse and gave it, thanking her for her kind ness. She smiled sweetly as she bade me good-by, and went back into my room and thought pretty much like this: 1T am not going to join that union; here have my housework to do and there's my church work, too. Besides, these w. c. T. U. women are sometimes called upon to do things quite unpleasant-circula petitions, go before the citysauthorities, visit school boards, the jail, and don't know what else. really don't want to do that kind of work"
 But on the other hand thought should have liked to hear that paper. I might have gone-and Mrs. Merrifind was so sweet and kind-but I really could not afford the time. So picked up my work l was making lace handkerchief-a resumed its intricacies, pleased to see that it had grown two inches in as many after moons.
 The next week my persistent neighbor called again. II hope you will not think I am obtrusive," she said, with the same sweet smile of hers, "but I thought per- haps you might be wishing to go to our w. c. T. U. meeting to-day, and if so it would be too bad to disappoint you. If you cannot go with me, why please be free to say say so, for 1 shall take it kind ly. Our presidents paper last week was fine. kept thinking of you all the time and wishing you were there. You are not ready to go? Too bad. We'll, good by. Pray for the w. c. T. U."
 Pray for it! Why, I never was asked to do that before. Inever remembered hear ing anybody pray for the w. c. T. U. as an organization. I had heard the tenn perance cause prayed for, but never had | been much impressed by the petition. I wonder what good she thinks my prayers | will do if do not work for the cause? | Pray for the w. c. T. U. !" That was something new under the sun! Somehow the words would not leave me. They had come to stay.
 l As the day drew near for the next meet ing found myself thinking great deal about it and the one member who ap- peared so anxious to secure my presence there. 1 knew she would be on hand at the usual time with her sweet smile and friendly voice and urgent invitation. I could not refuse her again. It would be positively rude to do so. Iwould be ready and go with her, but would not join. never saw more beaming face than Mrs. Merrifind's when met her at the door and signified my intention of accom- panying her to the meeting. ''I am so glad" she said, "for the pastor of the Methodist church has promised to give us a talk upon The Work of the w. 0. T. U in the Churches, and know 1t will be interesting"
 And so found it. It was a most de- lightful hour. The talk by the pastor was good. He showed us how the churches had need of consecrated mother-love, and l | IT. - T the work of the W. c. T. U., for it reached people by paths the church had not trod and could not or would not enter, the w. c. T. U. doing the work the church had failod to do IT uaa a strOnO hoDefu1 in