The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-15
BY RALpH-CCNNOR

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he began, s'but it amt speeches we
want. We've got somethin' to do, ana
what we want to know is how to do 1t.
And, to be right plain, We want to
know how to drive this cursed whisky
out Of Black Rock You all know what
it's doin' for us. at least for some OF us,
and it's time to stop it now, or I0r
some OF US it'll mighty soon be too
late, and the only way to stop its work
is to quit drinkin' it and help others to
quit. l hear some talk of league, and
what say is il it's a league out and
out against whisky. total abstinence
right to the ground, then I'm with it.
That's my talk. l move we make that
kind of league"
Nixon sat down amid cheers and q
chorus Of remarks: Good man"
sThat's the talk.' stay with it!'' But
he waited for the smile and the glance
that came to him from. the beautiful
face in the corner, and with that he
seemed content.
Again there was silence. Then tho
secretary rose, with slight flush VI
his handsome, delicate face, and S y
onded the motion. If they would par
don personal reference, he would
give them his reasons. He had come
to this country to make his fortune.
Now he was anxious to make enough
to enable him to go home with some
degree OF honor. His home held every
thing that was dear to him. Between
him and that home, between him and
all that was good and beautiful and
honorable, stood whisky. Pm asham-
ed to confess" and the flush deepened
on his cheek and his lips grew thin
ner, that I feel the need Of some such
league" His handsome face, his per-
feet style Of address, learned possibly
in the Union, but, more than all, his
show of nerve, for these men knew
how to value that, made a strong I'M
preston on his audience, but there
were no following cheers.
Mr.. Craig appeared hopeful, but on
Mrs Mavor's face there was look OF
wistful. tender pity, for she knew how
much the words had cost the lad.
Then up rose q sturdy, hard featured
man, with bur in his voice that pro-
cIaimed his birth. LIS name was
George Crawford, I afterward learned,
but every one called him Geordie. He
was q character in his way, fond Of
his glass; but, though he was never
known to refuse q drink, he was never
known to be drunk. He took his drink,
for the most part, with bread and
cheese in his own shack or with a
friend or two in sober, respectable
way, but never could be induced to
Join the wild carousals in Slavin's sa-
loon. He made the highest wages, but
was far too true Scot to spend Lis
money recklessly. Every one waited
eagerly to hear Geordie's mind. lie
spoke solemnly, as beftted Scotsman
expressing q deliberate opinion, and
carefully, as if choosing his best Eng
lish, for when Geordie became excit-
ed no one in Black Rock could under
stand him.
"Maister Chairmon," said Geordie,
'I'm aye for temperance in a things"
There was shout Of laughter, at
which Geordie gazed round in panied
surprise. "I'll no deny" he went on
in an explanatory tone, that I tax ma
mornin' an maybe a nip at noon an
wee drap after wark in the evenin'
an whiles q sip O toddy WI a freen
the cauld NIGHTS. but Pm no. a guz-
zler, an dinna gang in WI the looms
flingin' aboot guild money"
"And that's thrue for ye, me bye in
terrupted a rich Irish brogue, to the
delight Of the crowd and the amaze
ment of Geordie. who went calmly on:
"An' Gamma bide yon saloon whaur
they sell sic awfu'-lil'2 stuff-it's mair
like lye nor guid whisky-an' whaur
ye're never sure O yer RIGHT change.
It's an awfu'-like place. Man." and
Geor0ie began to warm up, ''ye can
juist smell the sulphur when ye gang
in. But I dinna care aboot the tenn
perance societies, wi their pledges an
haverS, an I Gamma see what HARM
can come till man by takin' bottle
O guild Glenlivet hame WI him. I can
na bide the teetotal buddies."
Geordie's speech was followed by
loud applause, partly appreciative Of
Geordie himself, but largely sympa
thetic with his position.
Two or three men followed in the
same strain, advocating league for
mutual improvement and social pur-
poses, but without the teetotal pledge.
They were against the saloon, but did
not see why they should net take
drink now and then.
Finally the manager rose to support
his friend, Mistah-ah-Cwafoad," rid
iculing the idea Of total abstinence
pledge 2s fanatical and indeed "ab-
suad" He was opposed to the saloon
and would like to see club formed,
with comfortable cluhroom, books,
magazines, pictures, games, anything,
"dontcherknow, tormake the time pass
pleasantly" but it was "absuad to ask
men to abstain fwom pwopah use Of
-aw- nouwishing dwinks' because
some men made beasts Of themselves.
He concluded by offering $50 toward
the support of such q club.
The current of feeling was setting
strongly against the total abstinence
idea, and Craig's face was hard, and
his eyes cleaned like Goals. Then he
did bit of generalship. He proposed
that since they had the two plans
clearly before them they should take
few minutes interuission in which
to make I'D their minds, and he was