Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-08-22
THE LIPS THAT TOUCH LIQUOR
SHALL NEVER TOUCH
MINE.


night,
Her cheeks flushed and glowing her eyes
full of light;
She had placed sweet rose mid her
bright golden hair,
No flower of the forest e'er looked half so
fair
As she did that night when she stood by
the door
OF the cot where she dwelt, by the side of
the moor.
Her lover had promised to take her walk,
| And she'd built all her hopes on long
pleasant talk;
| But the daylight was waning, and also l
ween,
Her temper was failing, might plainly be
| For now she'd stand still, then time she
would hum,
And impatiently mutter, "I wish he would
come!'
ssY ou may say what you like, it's not
pleasant to wait,
| And William has oft kept me waiting of
late;
| / know where he stays. it is easy to tell,
| He spends many an hour at the sign OF
9rhe Bell
| / wish he would keep from such places
| His rakish companions do lead him as
tray"
She heard quick step, and her young
heart beat fast,
| And she said 81 am glad he is coming at
| iast.o
| But twas only neighbor, who fastened
| to speak,
AS he marked the quick flush on the young
maiden's cheek,
| And his aged eyes twinkled with pleasure
and glee
AS he merTfily laughed, $50 you are wait
ing | seee
Snow don't think at all I'm in, ending to
| blame,
For love is not surely subject for shame.
| But tell you to warn you, fancy my lass
That William is getting too fond of the
| glass;
| And if truly you wish for the love that en-
dures,
Say the lips that touch liquor shall never
touch yours"
He went on his way, but the truth he'd
| impressed,
Took root and sank deep in the young
maiden's breastj
| And strange things she scarce could ac-
count for before,
| Now seemed perfectly plain as she pom.
| dered them DER;
| She then said, with a lock OF deep sorrow
and fright,
81 really believe that the old man is right
"When next William comes, l will soon
let him know
He must give up the liquor, or else be
| must go,
Twill be good chance, by the way, too
to prove,
II he is really sincere in his vows of true
love;
He must give up at once and forever the
wine,
For the lips that touch liquor shall never
| touch mine.''
She heard quick step coming DER the
| moor
And the same merry voice she'd so off
Then ere she could speak warm hand
held her fast,
And her lover said gently, 'I'ye come
Pm sorry l'ye kept you long waiting like
this,
But know you'll forgive me, now give
me kiss
But she shook the bright curls on hel
| beautiful head,
And drew herself ur, while quite proudly
she said:
snow, William, Pll prove, if you are real
Iy true,
For you say that you love mel don't
think you do,
But, if really sincere, you must give VI
the wine,
For the lips that touch liquor shall never
touch mine"
He looked quite amazed, "Why, Alice, its
clear,
You really are getting quite jealous, my
dear!"
ain that you are right" she replied, ''fol
You'll soon love the liquor far better thar
me,
I'm jealous, 1 own, of the poisonous
wine,
And the lips that imbibe it shall never
touch mine."
He then turned quite angry, "Confount
it!' he said,
What nonsense you've got in your deal
little head;
I'll see if / cannot remove it soon thence
She replied, 'Tis not nonsense, but SOUND
common sense;
| And ] mean what | say, and this Y on viii
| find,
don't often change when Pve made VI
my mind.''
He stood all irresolute, angry, perplexed,
She never saw him look hall so vexed.
Still she SAID IF he talks all his life
won't finch"
And he talked, but he never could bulge
her an inch.
So he cried with look of despair and {
groan,
ooh, Alice, your heart is hard as a stone.'
But, though her heart beat In his favor
quite loud,
But still firmly kept to the vow she hat
vowed;
| And at last without even tear or a sigh
She said, civilian, Pm going, so bid you
good-bye.p
"Nay, STOP" he then said, 'sl'll choose ont
of the two,
I'll give up the liquor, but cannot lose you.'
Now, William had ever great cause t.
rejoice
From the hour he thus wisely made Alice
his choice;
And be blessed through the whole of {
long, useful life,
| The decision that gave him his dear little
wife.
And she, by her tirmness won over tha
night
A true friend to our cause and an ornament
Oh, that every fair girl, in our drink
cursed land,
Would say, g! will ne'er give my heart o.
my hand
Unto one whom ever have reason to thinl
| Would taste one small drop of such pois
onous drink
And reply. when she's wooed, sI'm fot
to the wine,
And the lips that touch liquor shall never
| touch mine"