Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-11-17

HOW ALICE TENDED BAR.
She Did 1t So EHectuaIIy That She
Established n Sweeping
Reform.

=
Clark has sent for me TO be around
there by seven"
Il was just going to call you. papa;
supper has been ready for some time"
The speaker, a girl OF 10, smiled as
she answered the question, and then
said: Come, Robbie" Robbie, put
down his book and came towards the
table. There were only three OF them.
the father and his two children. Four
years ago God had called the dear meth
er to be with Him. 1t had only been
since his wife's death that Mr.. Hunter
had given up his home i'm the country
ana moved into town, where. through
the influence of some of his friends, he
opened a liquor saloon. He had not
done this Immediately, but only when
ne began to think he could not make
money fast enough on his farm.
1T seems" AIR. Hunter proceeded,
when the three were seated, that Mr..
Clark is not exactly suited with the
last wine l sent him, and so n wants
me to come around. 1t is a very bad
time, too, Peter is sick, and I have no
one TO leave in my place, Alice, looking
up at the girl and trying to speak as if
1t was nothing unusual, you will have
20 tend to the gentlemen while 1 am
gone"
For an instant there was perfect ST.
1ence in the room; then Alice raised
her earnest eyes to her fathers face and
said; "oh, papa, 1 cannot; please do
mot ask me-"
Mr.. Hunter had risen by this time
and was putting on his things Listen
TO me, Alice" he said. I'm older than
you are and / am right i'm this thing. /
have my living to make as well as other
men. You have never seen me drunk.
and | do not swear nor steal This is
saying much more than most men can
who profess more than do. 1t is not
my fault If men drink too much, any
more than il is other mems fault If
their customers buy what they cannot
afford. Each man for himself"
Alice knew il was perfectly useless
10 say anything. Her father knew what
she thought of his business, and never
before had asked her to help him She
sat perfectly motionless after he haG
gone, and then bowling her head on her
hands prayed God to help her.
The room Alice entered was a very
tempting place. There was a soft car
Pet on the floor, and pretty silk cur
Gains at the windows, which shut out
the sights in the streets; easy chairs
and dainty card tables; a fire burned
brightly in the CRATE, and pussy slept
peacefully on the hearth.
Alice drew a chair before the fire. and
began to work on one of those pretty
little ''nothings" that girls so delight
to make. Kitty purred her content
till the little bird on the mantel piece
pushed open his door and cooed the
hour of eight.
Papa will be here soon," thought
T." H'tle maid and DO no: believe
any one a. cG-n.Hs. IG... 50 = -, -, : i..u,
for l could not have sold it,
Good evening, little lady," said some
one behind her, and Alice looking up
saw a very pleasant-faced gentleman
smiling down at her. al suppose your
father has just stepped out; so as I
know just where he keeps things, I'll
spare you the trouble and will help nv
self and my two friends" looking to-
wards two other gentlemen, whom
Alice In her surprise had not noticed.
"Oh, what shall I o?p thought the
little girl. Then came the thought:
What a coward am; have not asked
the Lord Jesus to help me?'' All this
time the gentleman had been taking off
his things, and now he moved towards
the side of the room where on a table
the dainty glasses were arranged in
neat rows. Alice watched him prepare
the glasses and give them to his friends.
but they were too interested in watch
ing the girl to touch the wine, for Alice
had risen and, going over TO the table,
looked up earnestly at the gentlemen
and said:
Please, sir, do not drink your wine"
Inc man paused before drinking and
said:
why, my little friend, this is an old
comfort of mine and has cured MANY a
mt OF the blues" Still the girl did not
take her eyes of his face, nor did she
brush away the tears which had begun
TO overflow the soft blue eyes. The
gentleman was beginning to feel an
noyed at the gentle but steady gaze.
Come, Foster" said one of his
friends, do not take it now if the lit
Tie lady objects; sit down and wait till
her father comes in"
oh, no, do not wait for him." said
Alice, Il did not mean that. I mean
that do not want you ever to touch It.
1t has done so much harm and has made
30 many people miserable. And obi"
said the girl, trying hard to steady her
voice, why do you all drink9"
What makes you want us to give Il
op?' said Mr.. Foster, looking at Alice
earnestly.
"Bscause." she answered, "altho arh
you never get drunk, many others do.
They arc not able to stop with little.
90 you are. Oh, Mr.. Foster, do STOP"
What shall we do. Brown" said
Tester. looking at the man who, cut Of
eznurfeax 10 AliAa had A<,lA hirr, 4. 49,