Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-01-30
TEMPTATION

was not IL years OF age. was a clerk in
one Of the great mercantile establish
ments Of New York. His handsome,
honest face and free. cordial manner won
him the friendship Of all his fellow la
borers. and many were the invitations
he received TO join them in the clubroom.
in the theatcr and even the barroom.
But Alfred Harris had the pure teach
ings OF a Christian mother TO withhold
him from rushing headlong into dissipa-
ton aud vice. and all the persuasions OF
his comrades could not induce him to join
them in scenes like this. He feared the
consequences.
One evening one of his fellow clerks.
George Warren. the most high toned and
moral one among them. invited Alfred to
go home with him to supper and make
the acquaintance Of his family. The buy
gladly assenied, for he spent many lonely
evenings. with only his books and his
thoughts for company.
He found his friends family very So
cial and entertaining. Mrs. Warren. the
mother, was a pleasant. winning, | might
almost say fascinating, woman. one OF
the kind whose every little speech seems
Of consequence and whose every act
praiseworthy. Mr.. Warren was a CHEEKY,
social gentleman, fond OF telling stories
and amusing young people. And Georges
sister Jessie--how shall describe her!
A girl about Alfred's own age. half
bashful. half saucy. dimple faced. rosy
checked maiden. sparkling with wit and
pleasantly. and pretty enough for any
young man to fall In love with at first
sight.
This was Mr.. warren's family. and II
was no wonder that Alfred was charmed
with them. They were not very wealthy
people. but were in easy circumstances
and on a promising road to fortune. AL
fred very soon felt as well acquainted
with them all as IL be had known them
for years. The supper was delicious. es-
peciaiiy 10 boy whose small salary
could afford him only the plainest living.
After supper wine was brought in.
Mrs. Warren poured il out herself, and
with winning smile passed a glass of
| the sparkling liquid TO their guest. Alfred
took II with some hesitation. but did not
raise II to his lips. Each OF the family
held glass, waiting to pledge their Wis
itor But Alfred feared 10 drink it. lie
set the goblet on the table. while a burn
ing flush overspread his face.
What Do you not drink wineT' ask
ed Mrs Warren in her pleasant tones.
81 have been taught not to drink it,
said Alfred.
"You have had good teaching, | doubt
not" said the lady. land honor you for
respecting IT, but think IL makes a diff
ference where and In what company you
take it. should not be willing for
George to go into barroom in company
with dissipated young men and cali for
wine; but at home In the family circle II
is different. A moderate use of wine
never hurts any one. II is only when car
ricd TO excess that it is injurious. You
had better drink yours. So little as that
will never hurt you"
Jessie was sitting by Alfred. She took
up the glass be had set on the table and
gave il to him with charming smile.
Drink il for my sake" she said.
Again he took the goblet in his hand
The glowing wine was tempting. but the
faces around him were more tempting
still He raised IL toward his lips. But
at that moment there rose up before him
a pale. sweet face. with pleading eyes
the face OF his mother in heaven. The
| boy laid down the glass with firm hand
and with firm tones he said:
~ cannot drink II. II was my mothers
| dying request that should never taste OF
wine, and il disregard it now | fear
greater temptations will follow. You
must pardon ny seeming discourtesy. but
| / cannot drink it,
A silence fell upon the little circle.
! None spoke for several minutes.
| Then Mrs. Warren said in a voice
! checked with emotion:
! Forgive me. my boy. for tempting ron
! TO violate your conscience. Would that
1 all Young men would show rs high
sense of duty"
Every one Of the family put down the
I wine untasted
| THE hoy is right" said Mr.. Warren.
drinking wine leads to deeper pota-
| tons. We have done wrong in setting
such an example before our children
| Here. Ellen" he called to the servant.
take away this decanter."
And. as the table was cleared of the
| wine and glasses. MIR. Warren said sol
! EMMY;
''Now. here. in the presence Of you all.
l make solemn VOW never 70 have any
| more wine on my table or drink il myself
as a beverage, and may my influence and
| precepts be as binding on my children as
the request of this boys mother TO him."
! And Mrs. Warren softly responded:
| .Amenn'
| Mr.. Warren turned TO Alfred.
I'VE are not drunkards or winebibbers
! here. my boy. ! have always preached
| temperance 20 my children. but ! have
| never realized before how an occasional
| glass of wine. IL partaken of in good So
/ ciety. could injure. ! see ii now. II
person can drink one glass. he can drink
| another and yet another, and it is hard
/ 10 know just where TO draw the line.
| thank you for this lesson. will show
that have as much manliness as a mere
boy My children, will you follow my ex-
ample and pledge TO abstain totally from
| wine as a beverageT"
| 1--WE will, father" was the response.
This pledge was never broken by any
| OF the family, and never did Alfred Har-
ris have cause TO regret that he resisted
| the temptation to drink one cup of wine.
| Years afterward. when he was pros
porous and wealthy merchant. and sweet
Jessie Warren was his wife. they often
/ smoke of the consequences which might