The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-02-13
ASTRONG TEMPTATION.

A young man, or rather, boy
for he was not seventeen years o.
age, was clerk in one of the great
mercantile establishments Of New
York. An orphan and poor, he
murt rise, if nc, rose at all, by hi'
own exertions. His handsome hon
est face, and free, cordial manner
won him the fire., dship of all his tel
low laborers, and many were the
invitations he received to join them
lin the club-room, in the theatre
and even the barroom. But Alfred
Harris had the pure teachings of q
Christian mother to withhold him
from rushing headlong into disslpa'
ton and vice, and all the persuasions
Of his comrades could not induce
him to join them in such scenes. lie
feared the consequences.
One evening, one Of his fellow
clerks George Warren, the most
high.toned and moral one among
them. invited Alfred to 60 home
with him to supper and make the
acquaintance Of his faim!y. The
boy gladly assented, for he spent
many lonely evenings, with only his
books and his thoughts for company.
He found his friends family very
social and entertaining. Mrs. War
rem, the mother, was pleasasA
winning, I might almost say, fas!
cinating woman, one of the kind
whose every little speech seems of
consequence. and whose every act,
praiseworthy. Mr.. Warren was a
choery, social gentleman, fond of
telling stories, and amusing young
people. And Georges sister, Jessie
how shall I describe her? A girl
about Alfred's own age, a halfbash
full, halfsaucy, dimpled-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 it was no wonder That Alfred
was charmed with them. They were
not very wealthy people, but were in
easy circumstances. and on a promls-
ing road to fortune. Alfred very
soon felt as we'll acquainted with
them all as if he had known them
for years. The supper was deli,
cious, especially to a boy whse small
salary could afford him only the
plainest living.
After supper wine was broughtin.
Mrs. Warren poured it out herself,
and with a winning smile passed a
glass of the sparkling liquide to
their guest. Alfred took it with
some hesitation, but did not raise it
TO his lips. Each of the family held
a glass, waiting to pledge there Wis
itor. But Alfred feared TO drink it,
He set the goblet on the table while
burning flush overspread his face.
"What! ,Doyou not drink wine?'
ask Mrs. Warren, in her pleasant
tones.
IL have been taught not to drink
it," said Alfred.
"You have had good teaching, l
doubt not" said the lady. "and [
honor you for respecting it but |
think it makes a difference where
and in what company you take it.
l should not be willing for George to
20 into a barroom in company with
dissipated young men, and call for
wine. but at home in the family cir
Gle it is different. A moderate use
of wine never hurts any one. 1t is
only when carried 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 he had set on the
table and gave it to him with a
charming smile.
.."Drink it 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 rails
ed it 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 Iglass with a
firm hand, and with firm tones he
said:
II cannot drink it. 1t was my
mothers dying request that [ should
never taste of wine, and if [ disre-
gard it now, l fear greater tempta-
lions will follow. You must pardon
my seeming discourtesy, but I can
not drink it,"
A silence fell upon the little circle.
None spoke for several minutes.
Then Mrs, Warreu said. in voice
choked with emotion:
"Forglve me, my boy, for tempt
ing you to violate your conscience
Would that all young men would
show as high u sense Of duty"
All members of the family put
down their wine, untasted.
"The boy is right,' said Mr.. War
ren. "Drinkihg wine leads to deep
er potations. We have done wrong
in setting such an example before
our children. Here, Ellen," he cal.
led to the servant, "take away this
decanter."