The Press., 1896-01-30
w. C. T. U.
A Tale of the Crusade. IN TWO CHAPTRRs.


 md lressntment. His father had died druhkard's dsl1h there when the boy was only elgAt years old. There his mother had acquired the habit from the husbands example.
 They had lived in a tiny house at the outskirts of the town, but when John had grown to manhood and prospered in busi- ness, hetook her with him to a new home, where his bride, for love of her husband, welcomed the tempted woman. But soon the mother tired of their loving restraint and returned to the house at the outskirts of the village.
 The change seemed wise aud for a time she lived soberly. In the early fall she became interested in a revival then in progress and no one doubted the sincerity of her conversion. She joined the village Methodist church, and at her request was immersed in the stream that flowed past her home.
 '1've fallen into that stre am drunk many times, and now I'd like to be pap tized in it," she said, with tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks. The son stood upon the bank witnessing the ceremony with tear-dimmed eyes. Hope had again entered his heart.
 Spring politics found church members speaking from the same platform upon which sat the bland proprietor of the "House of David"
 Shortly after this Johns mother fell i'll and the proprietor of the "House of Da- vid," hearing of 1t, and knowing she was alone, sent her bottle of whiskey that had been mellowing in his cellar for years. l The sequelt is easily understood. r" The church was panic-stricken over Mrs Halls backsliding. The pastor vainly expostulated with her. They met at the church prayer room to intercede for her at the throne of grace, and their voices rang out in the air as they sang hymns- of prayer and hope. 'fF& The sound reached the "House of Da- I Vid,"" where Mrs. Hall sat in state of msudlin imbecility, while the saloon-keep- 1 1eriopeniy boasted of the skiIlful way in wn1cn ne nod, ere ner precautionary perToa was ended, robbed the church of & new Emember.
 "1 wouldn't have done 1t if they hadn't I played two-faced so. If I'm all they say
 why did they join the same club with me this spring, even if it was politics i? Haven't served on finance committees
 with them every election time, and march, f cd in the same rank and file with them 7 My name's on their circulars in the call for mass-meeting right along with the parsons. After affllating with a man
 that way what right have they to black T guard him in prayer If we're good enough election times, they have no need to fight us behind their church
 walls. can fight too, and my fghting's Ia heap sight more effective. Here they've
 been praying for this woman nigh onto
 six months, and in just ten minutes by
 the clock upset all their work. Now Pm going to send her to their prayer
 meeting with my compliments"
 The women were praying for their er-
 ring sister when & knock sounded upon the door, and one of their number opened 1t. A slight cry escaped her lips at sight of the woman laid there.
 ."It seems as if God were mocking us, '
 Sobbed the minister's wife. ."Don't say that, Sister Madden. It's
 jest blasphemin' the Lord, because He won't do our work for us. It's my 'piniou the saloon-keeper's mighty sight nearer us than the Lord is to him, and it's our Il place to go straight to him, instead of tpfayin' so have the errant done for us, F God don't never send no angels out trav,
 elin' when human feet'l go jest as we'll We msyn't want to, but we've got some crussdin' to do, and I'm fer movin' on tC the enemy. How many's willin' to dc tho LoId's call?"
 Surely great courage was required oi | these women. They foresaw the curious 1 gaze of friends they heard the taunts ot : Ethe saloon-keeper and brutal laughter O the drunken loafers of the dramshop. -Ir The minister's wife broke the stiffness IiEt'Let us pray" and each woman knelt il 2 a divine presence, and there came upor D them such a spirit as the Lord gives wheI
 He girds His servants for work. aI While the few women who remained fl ,r the church were praying for those who
 had gone forth, Mrs. Hall awoke. Witt I drunken cunning she slipped away un hoticed, and staggered to her home, where F she was found by her daughter-in-law
 John Hall was away attending to some business in an adjoining town, and hi' .i wife determined to withhold the events O s Ithe day from him.
 eit He came home early, kissed his wifi,
 ere he comfortably seated himself besid . Ithe fire, and taking the children on hi
 knee, asked happily:
 "WhAt's the news? Let me hear 1t b. D Ifore go over to mother's." FI don't know, John, as I'd go to moth
 or's tonight, the wife replied, evaslvely "Why not ?"
 MYou have been riding so much to. day land need rest, and it has turned so col'', U "Nonsense !" laughed John. "ih \ [cold; will not hurt me, and what W EmotheI thinkp have never missed vt- Eiting her every evening since she left us. tf The wife leaned against his chair nn fstrOked his hair as she spoke. "l -l' $fmother this afternoon, so it will not t helighting her If you do stay at home wit t1me. Don't go, John"