The Press., 1895-09-19
Why John Didn't Smoke
BY MRS. ANNIE A. PRESTON.

BY MRS. ANNIE A. PRESTON.
 We were walking up and down the long platform of the railway station at New London one bright spring morning, enjoy ing the fresh breeze that blew in from the sound while we waited for the Vermont Central train to take us on to the north ward.
 There were other strollers besides our selves, and we particularly noticed hand some, dainty athlete for his scrupulOus neatness, his quiet demeanOr, and his firm, erect carriage.
 Presently he was accosted by half dozen jolly young fellows, who were sur prised and delighted to meet him there. They piled him with nasty, cordial bOyish questions: "Where have you been?" "What have you been doing?" "HOw are you getting on?"
 We dropped down on a settee near by, amused at their merry, lively chat. Pros ently some one offered our athlete ci- gar.
 'Thank you, no," he said firmly and quietly. "I have given up smoking" And then he added, laughing little and showing set of very white teeth: ''Ihe fact is, when I reached home there soom- ed to be no place for me to smoke, and 1 was under the necessity of giving up the habit''
 'How was that, John p
 "Well, you see, was glad enough to get home again, and after supper l went into the library and lay down on sofa in front of the open fire and lighting cigar prepared for a smoke. Pretty soon ma came in. Not my own mother, she died when I was a little thing but this one, ever since my father married her, has made pretty and pleasant home for me. As she walked along heard the soft rus tie of her dress, and then 1 heard her sniff, sniff, and presently she said; q fancied l smelled smoke.' I held up my cigar, and confessed I had been smoking little, off and on, for some time
 GO, is that sop she said, gently Well, Johny, don't know as it is sur prising, but please do not let me see you smoking on the street or when we are out anywhere. I don't think 1 could bear that And I said: Certainly not, ma ; you can depend on me- But l threw my cigar in the fire, having lost my enjoy ment of it somehow, although she did not scold.
 'Pretty soon my father came, and he said directly: Ma tells me you have learned to smoke, my boy. Well, l sup pose I ought to be surprised that you didn't learn sooner, but don't let mo see you smoking around the house. And l said: Certainly not, sir and was glad he had taken it so pleasantly.
 "Before the evening was half over my Uncle Tom, who is my fathers partner in business, strolled over for a little chat, and as he took a seat and looked me over in a way he has, as if he was taking an account of stock, ma, in her soft voice, said Johnny has new accomplishment since he went away. He has learned to SmOke.'
 "'Dear me, is that SOP exclaimed Un- cle Tom. Well, why boys will persist in burning up their hard earnings is mys- tery to me. 7; but you won't let me see you smoking about the factory, 1 hope. l shouldn't enjoy seeing my nephew and bookkeeper and prospective partner about the works with a pipe or cigar in his mouth.'
 "'You shall never be pained in that way sir, said And I took my cigars out of my pocket, and threw them all over be- hind the backlog after the first one, and 1 have never smoked since.
 "Uncle Tom is a great go-to-meeting man. One evening he asked me to go with him, and as had no excuse to offer I went. There was a collection, and Un- cle Tom said to me: I used to use tObac- co and beer, but since have left it off have put what money l save in that way into the Lords work, and it gives me more pleasure than ever got from smoke or drink
 "'I will do that too,' said. I will follow so excellent an example TOT year and then if am no poorer will keep il up as long as live.' So began saving my cigar dimes. 1 had to go to church tc put them in the box, of course and 1T that way I became interested in the relig ion heard preached, and concluded thai I needed it as much as anyone. So, boys am Christian and church member and I feel as if had been getting on quite little."
 ''I like your speaking out and telling u' about it." said the jolliest young fellow of them all. ''It gives me faith to believe that you have got hold of something tha is worth having"
 "An aboard for the north," shouted Conductor Doane, and the next minute we were moving rapidly away, leaving thu