The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-24

Joe. I would not be tied at home like
you are for anything. just because my
mother said so"
DO come and go Carl. know the
game will be grand
Il should like to go with YOU" said
Carl at last. but 1 know mother will
never give her consent for me to go to
a salOOnr
%. Carl" said Joe i'm a vexed tone,
If l were YOU 1 would not be such a
baby about my mother. Why, | leave my
mother alone every night and nothing
has ever moIested her You are 50 fool
ish. Carl
We'll" said Carl feeling rather
ashamed at Joe's last remarks. Il will
ask mother but I know she will not be
willing for me TO GO
Even IL she is not willing" said Joe
with frown, make some excuse and
tell her YOU viii be back presently. and
if YOU can go. meet me here at the foot
of the hill near the fountain at o'clock. -
With this they parted. Joe going his
way Whistling a merry tune and con-
templs ting a pleasant time at the saloon
that night, while carl walked slowly
UP the hill with a heavy heart, thinking
of the conversation between Joe and
himself and what would his mother say
if she knew her son wished to seek en-
jOyment I'm a saloon
He knew he ought to heed his con-
science. which told him to remain at
home with his mother but thought
he, other boys do not stay at home at
night and why should / - As he entered
the cheerful dining room of his home he
found supper ready and his mother
awaiting him with a pleasant smile.
They sat down to supper, which was
eaten i'm silence. for Carts thoughts
were busy elsewhere. At last his mother
.ifI VI WI IL q
i'll tonight
20 no. I'm quite we'll mother" an
swered he. only I've had hard
days work today
After supper Mrs. Ermine cleared up
the table and carl picked up a book.
which he pretended To read. but he read
not word: he was thinking of how he
should tell his mother of his intention of
going out that night
After much thinking and planning he
said Mother I-er-Joe Colon wants
me To go down town with him tonight;
would YOU mind staying alone for a lit
tie whie?''
why. Carl" said his mother with a
look of surprise. you want To go down
town and associate with those evil, good
for-nOthing boys who carOuse around
half the night. No. Carl. you had far
better stay at home tonight. as you are
tired and here You will be out of the
way of temptation"
But mother" said he. Il need not
fall into evil ways just because other
boys do
THAT is very easy to say" replied
she. but you are SO easily pursuaded.
and. Carl, we know not what the result
might be il you were once tempted and.
besides. 1 do not think Joe is a proper
companion for you"
20, motherr' persisted Carl. II will not
follow his example. and ! almost prom
ised him I would GO; I will not be gone
long. and l expect Joe is waiting for me
at the fountain now"
Well" said his mother, looking SAD
and grieved, I suppose if you will not
give up you may go. but, Carl, l dislike
10 see YOU go out at night"
Don't worry about me. mother" said
he, hastily preparing to go, Il will not
stay long"
LAS the night is dark" said his
mother, I Will place light in the win
dow So you will not lost your way, and.
Carl, do shun bad company"
4 WILL said Carl, and in a moment
he was gone
Mrs. ET1nine turned again to her work.
and with an anxious heart asked God to
direct the footsteps of her son. Carl
went rapidly down the hill and was soon
at the fountain, where he found Joe i'm
patiently waiting
Hello, old fellow" said he, your
mother consented. did she?''
No" said Carl, she did not consent
and I feel as If 1 ought TO have STAYED
at home"
20 nonsense" said Joe. come along;
1t IS getting late
As the boys neared the saloon Carts
conscience told him to retrace his foot
steps, but self said "go on; other BOYS
Poor Carl. he was standing at the en-
trance OF two roads, one leading to a
peaceful sunny land abouEding in fertile
harvest, while the other lead TO a deem
dark cave where poison flowed instead
of water, and where serpents Kissed and
craWled, only he was not aware of il
When they reached the door of the sa-
loon Carl had half a mind TO go back
home and confess all to his mother.
when Joe said, Hurry up. Carl. the game
has alreay begun" and Carl went in
went into that den of vice where he
had promised his mother he never would
60
As they were watching The game the
door opened and several Of the factory
boys. who were noted for their intenl-
perate habits. entered. It was then that
Carl remembered his mothers last words.
Carl, do shun bad company"
As the game advanced the boys became
more excited, and begun betting.
Here. Carl" said John Maxwell. Zone
Of the worst characters among the fac
tory bOys) you must bet, too"
At first Carl refused, but finally Max
well succeeded in inducing him to follow
his example, assuring him no harm could
come from IT,
At last the game was ended and the
boys. flushed and irritated. begun to
drink of that poisonous drink that has
ruined so many souls and has made so
many homes desolate.
Carl was standing near the door watch
ing the boys. when Joe said, Come, Carl.
drink with US"
20 no." said Carl. IT cannot drink with
you, no-never."
You silly goose" said Joe, coming
near him and speaking in a lower tone,
come. don't be so foolish"
20. 1 cannot" replied Carl, 'I promised
mother L never would drink. and besides
] signed the pledge not more than a
month ago"
ITO the dogs with your pledge and
your promise, too, come along or the
boys will laugh at you" said Joe, draw
ing him toward the group of boys (who
were drinking and swearing) and order
ing rum for both Carl and himself
Poor Carl How he wished that he
had taken his mothers advice and re-
manned at home.
He felt that he could not now refuse,
for he dreaded the ieerinR of the boys