The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-04-08

AFTER WHAT'S IN THE BOTTLE Is GONE
mile or so and he has four turnips
under his arm. begs for one, but he
turns me down. Then l tells him to
80 to the bad place. He sasses back
and puts up me dukes and lets fly.
He gives me a black eye, but / knocks
blazes out of him."
"Stopr' exclaimed Miss Meeson as
she held up both hands. 81 cannot
listen to any such language. If my
own father should talk that way I'd
disown himT
"But l had to tell you how l put up
me dukes, ma'am," he protested.
@Dukesf Dukes? What do l know
OF dukesf | never heard such awful
language in my life Yon seem to have
bottle In your pocket. Is it possible
that you carry the soul destroying
liquid around your"
ITS to keep of the chills, MISS" he
explained as he exhibited a pint bottle
half full of whisky.
"And men can sink so low as thisf
wouldn't have believed it. There is no
heathen to compare with you. Do you
think it possible that there is one little
spark Of goodness left in your soulY'
II wouldn't bet on it, MISS" ruefully
replied the man as he gazed at his
wayworn shoes.
Perhaps there is. Do you want to
REFORM?
'-Of course
IF you made me promise would
you keep itT'
I'D try me hardest
'sThen there Is some faint hope. I
want you to begin by repeating the
Lords Prayer after me-"
He humbly repeated it, and when it
was finished he seemed considerably
affected. Miss Meeson took this as an
encouraging sign and went on:
@Now promise me that you won't lie
pr steal again as long as you live"
81 promise"
sand you'll let whisky alone from
Mis- time on"
~After what's in the bottle is gone.s
sand you'll never fight or swear
again?"
Never, so help me JOINER"
"Now / have some hopes of you,'
said the schoolma'am in more friendly
tones. Il hope you'll take bath and
wash up as soon as opportunity &C.
ours, and If you will call at Farmer
Nelson's in a day or two I'll coax him
30 give you work He is my father,
and you will be directly under my In
fuence. l shall do my best to regener-
ate you. am hopeful that my in.
huence"-
She was interrupted by the entrance
Of three more tramps, each one of
whom out-toughed the first caller II
was clear from the first that their in.
tentions were evil, and as they stood
grInning and winking at each other
the schoolma'am moved back in alarm
and her convert followed and put him
self in front of her.
"Are-are they wickedT" she asked
IN whisper
"a bad lot. miss" he answered, while
one of the trio demanded a kiss all
around.
ooh. but hear theml They mean me
harmF"
II expect they do. miss, and you see
how 1t is with me. You made me
promise not to swear any more, and
how can l blast their blooming eyes
without swearlng?"
The trio began dancing about, and
the girl grew white faced as she said:
'.But guess you may swear if you
think 1t will do any good"
sand me dukes, miss. l promised
not to put 'em up again. can't fight
three wearies with me nose"
''Oh. don't fight she walled; 'sbut II
you must, then put up your dukes. or
whatever they arel Seei They are
tearing the seats outr'
"And one thing more,'' continued the
convert I've got to take a drink of
whisky to brace me up. It's one to
three. and I'll need bracer."
''Then take it-take itr' she exclaim-
ed as the trio began to crowd closer.
"And can l leave out the bath and
wash up and work.
Yes, yes! Protect mer'
TN do it, miss. and here goes"
Her tramp reached for his bottle and
took a hearty swig. and as he restored
1t to his pocket he opened on the enemy
ut the rate Of seyenty-five swear words
Q minute He swore and swore till
ne .sehoelms'axL hsid Aax- hanas