The National tribune., 1901-12-19

That's more like it, remarked the
Deacon. I'm thirsty, and when I'm
thirsty I'm no bumble-bee drinking out of
the clover-blossoms. y buckets nearer
my size Say, Mr. Contraband, do you
know that somebody's went and poured
brine all over them plumsL
He drank the whole glass. and then
began speaking still more loudly:
Here, Freedman, fill it up again. I'm
dry rs a lime-kiln. | need to be soaked
clear through. / need more wetting than
dried apples. | say, that was an awful
mean trick to salt them plums. Who
could have done it,
DIR. Campbell gave a little mOnitory
cough, and moved over nearer the Dea-
The walters began clearing away. for
the night the tableware used in the re-
ception. One of them washed and wiped
a dozen silver spoons, wrapped them in Il
red napkin. and laid them for moment
on the stand beside which the Deacon was
sitting.
Among the Deacon's purchases during
the day had been red bandanna ms a
Christmas present for Abraham Lincoln,
the negro whom he had brought from
Tennessee. He had wrapped it around a
half-plug of bright navy tobacco and
thrust it in his pocket.
81 say it was a contemplate trick =
continued he. with increasing heat, ito
come right into a mans house and med
die with the things he has to eat. The
CopBeTheads II
DR. Campbell came over and spoke:
Deacon, I've been wanting to speak to
you all evening How is the cause of
Temperance doing down in your County,"
Only fairly well Only fairly. We
had a thrifty and growing Lodge of Good
T,nplars in our ncighborhoOd before the
war, and it was doing splendid work
among the young people. But all the
Young men who seemed worth saving
from the demon Drink went into the
army, and the girls lost interest in those
who wouldn't go. They didn't seem to
care whether The Worm of the Still stung
'em or not Thought maybe he couldn't
he better employed. SO they quit attend
ing and got up Soldiers Aid Societies in
stead. So the Lodge is only kept up now
by the minister, that lame school-teacher
and few old maids Put it'll revive
again when the boys come back, anxious
for every chance TO get with the girls.
To stand shoulder-to-shoulder against the
Rum-fend will be as good an excuse as
any, and the Lodge will spring up again"
Let us hope so,' said DIR. Campbell,
motiOning away the waiter. gL0 came to
refill the glasses. The Deacon was a
little disappointed at this, for he had
reached out his glass. He did not dare
take more when he saw the Doctor re-
fuse. I'VE can hardly expect the people
to take deep interest i'll reforms of any
kind while they are so overwhelmingly
engrossed in the war. We must join with
them in straining every nerve to end this
wicked rebellion"
That is So" accorded the Deacon lis
tening with profound attention to the re-
yered leader. The sweat burst out on his
forehead, for the room was quite warm,
and the wine was working within him.
He saw what he thought was his ban,
danna lying on the stand, reached for it,
picked up the red napkin containing the
spoons, and then. thinking that by some
mistake he had taken out Abraham Lin
coins bandahna, thrust it hastily into his
pocket, and hunted for his own handkcr-
chief
''As soon as the victory of the Union
is assured" continued the Doctor, "and
the dawn OF the Day of Peace is now red
dening in the east, we shall renew our
warfare against the Drink rebellion
against God, in all the manifold forms of
the evil. BY the way, Deacon. did you
ever stop to consider what an insiduous
form Of drink this wine is?"
And he looked at his half-emptied glass
Wine" exclaimed the Deacon In as
tonishment. rs this stuff wine? l thought
it was merely mighty good cider. thought
wine was always red, and moved itself
Alright in the cup, as the Bible says"
Great beads of sweat stood out on his
forehead, at the thought of the enormity
OF what he had been doing.
20, this is famous brand Of fine cham
pagne," said the Doctor "a few cases
were presented to the Governor by some
OF his Eastern admirers, and he thought |
that there could be no better way of dis
posing of it than giving 1t to his friends |