The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-11-30
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
WHAT ALLIED COUSIN FRED.
A Little Story with q Lesson on Cider
Drinking.

"Oh, there's Uncle Benson! there's
Uncle Bensony' called 'Riah Lacey to
her little city cousin, as she raced
down the walk, her curls flying in the
wind. Hurry, May. He's just turned
the corner" said 'Riah, hating mo-
ment and looking back to the more
quiet May, who had stopped for her
hat.
"Uncle Benson's just splendid" con-
tinued 'Riah, with great emphasis, as
the two little girls hurried along.
"He's the one who has just bought the
great big farm, with bushels and bush
els of apples and the juiciest pears"
smacking her lips, land grapes and
plums, and, and"-unable to find other
words, "eperything. Little bossies and
pigs, and oh, May, we're going out
there tomorrow.
There he is, there's Uncle Benson"
cried she, as they hoped around the
corner and saw his farm wagon drawn
up in front of one of the houses. Good
morning, Uncle Benson. This is Cousin
May, and we're going out to your house
in the morning." was 'Riah's greeting,
as they neared Uncle Benson. A fine
face, wearing n most genial expression,
lighted up by pair Of twinkling gray
eyes, turned toward the little girls as
they reached him, painting and warm.
Good morning, good morning"
called he, handing each a large, purple
plum. $50 you're coming out to my
house tomorrow Well, that's right;
come along. Me and your Aunt Rachel
will be right glad TO see you. Just
wait u minute, and I'll give you ride
round the square and home. I've some
garden stuff for your mother" finished
he, pinching their cheeks. Then he
picked up jug from the walk and car
ried it into the house. When he came
out he lifted the two little girls into
the wagon, and at 'Riahs request,
handed May the reins
what have you to sell this morning
besides plums, Uncle Benson?" asked
'Riah.
"Apples and pears garden stuff and
new, sweet cider. I'll give you little
folks some when you come to see me. !"
81 don't want any, thank you" said
| ",
'Riah exclaimed:
"Oh, Uncle Benson, you're not selling
cider! If you make that on your farm l
guess I'd rather stay at home" Then
how Uncle Benson laughed; laughed
till the tears rolled down his cheeks
and lodged in his whiskers
"Tut, tut, child! what does such a
| ohn niA
There's no harm in selling it nor drink
ing it, either. Why, it's nothing in the
world but apple-juice, and my elders
made from the best apples, too; from
none of your wormy things" Then,
after pause he added, in an amused
tone: what should l do If l neither
drank nor sold the cider, little woman?'
Don't make i'll" said 'Riah, nodding
her head and speaking with earnest
emphasis.
"I'd rather get my apple-juice when
stick my teeth into an apple, then
I'm sure it's new and sweet. That wom-
an who was here not long rgo said the
worst kind of drunkards were cider
drunkards; and when | heard that /
said to myself that I'd never touch q
drop of cider; that if anyone could get
drunk drinking it, it wasn't good for
little girls to drink" and then, as she
cuddled up close to Uncle Benson's side
and patted his rough hand with her
little soft palm, she added with world
of entreaty in voice and face
81 wish you wouldn't sell it, dear
Uncle Benson, you might make some
body's father real sorry"
"Well, WE'LL little woman, we'll see,
we'll see. You know pretty well how
to coax your old uncle, don't you" an
swered he, squeezing 'Riah's hand, but
as she looked up into his face she saw
the twinkle in his eyes, and the peculiar
curve to his lips, SO, with little sigh,
she folded her hands while grave
look crept over her face.
Just as they turned the corner 'Riah's
face frightened, for coming toward
them on the walk was Uncle Benson's
youngest son Fred, who was a prime
favorite with 'Riah. As soon as he came
within hailing distance she called out:
cousin Fred, Cousin Fred! here / am,
just going home. Go back with us.
won't you?"
Cousin Fred looked at 'Riah in a
dazed way, bobbed his head little,
then with sickly smile passed the
wagon. 'Riah's lips began to culver.
Cousin Fred, who was always SO glad
to see her and SO jolly, passing her
without a word!
"Oh, Uncle Benson, what's the mat
ter with Cousin Fred? | never, never
saw him do SO before. Do go for him,
he must be sick. Poor Cousin Fred!'
The sorrowful look in her face was
reflected in Uncle Benson's as he
looked after his Fred with a sinking
heart, yet his voice was firm and earn
est as he drew up to the walk, and lift
ing the little girls out, sad:
Eyes, Cousin Fred's sick. But / tell
you what. little girl, Uncle Benson
has decided that the only thing that
elders fit for is TO make vinegar. SO
shall turn mine that way"
"Oh. thank you, Uncle Benson, "
cried both little girls, SO absorbed in
the new turn affairs had taken 10
well nigh forget Cousin Fred. They
skipped away never noticing the weary
| SIGH which eScaDed Uncle Benson as