The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-03-24
THE PLEDGE PURSE.
BY Emma Garrison Jones

1t is time our boys were signing the
pledge?"
MI. Prescott tossed aside his paper with
a laugh.
There you go. my dear; and really I
expected it. The wonder is you haven't
caught the fever sooner"
What fever, George?"
why, this temperance fever that seems
to be Grazing everybody just now. The
towns full of it; every second man I
meet wears a gay blue ribbon in his but
tonhole, and every church is converted
into a temperance hall; but the thing
won't last-such ~spasmodic movements
never do"
His wife's bright eyes grew wistful, and
a cloud crossed her pretty, fresh face.
She was a happy little woman, the moth
er Of three promising boys, always busy
and full Of plans for the comfort OF her
family.
''it is q good movement, George" she
continued. II trust 1t will be more last
ing than you think; and Il would" she
added, with spirit, If the influential
men Of the town, the strong, reliable
men like yourself, George, would take
hold of It."
Much obliged for the compliment. my
love-" laughed her husband; but l don't
think I'm in any danger of becoming a
drunkard.'
Nor do 1, George; but you are not a
temperance man, and there's always dan
ger in having aught to do with sim"
why, Lizzie, how much In earnest you
seem. You've caught the fever without
doubt. You always had a weakness lot
taking up new whims. But, really, child,
I'm in no danger. I'm not a total abb
%stinence man, III admit; ever since I can
remember I've had my drink or two a
day, but l never was intoxicated in my
life, and l never expect to be"
II trust not. George, but you have sons,
and there's no telling into what errors
your example may lead them"
why, Lizzie, 90 you mean to say I
set my boys a bad example?"
mo, George, there never was a better
husband and father than you are, but you
encourage your boys to drink intoxicating
liquors. We "a wine on the table oc-
casionally, and almost every morning the
boys have their toddy."
And you have always mixed the bev-
erage. my dear. and shared it around to
u.s.
II know 1t, George. but I shall never do
1t again. In the first place, 1t is a waste
of money. The liquor used in this house
costs every cent of a dollar a week
That's not much. Lizzie"
Mo- but it counts up. And how much
does your private drinking amount to, do
you suppose?"
BLESS my soul, Lizzie, what has come
over your? Ten cents someties. never
more than a quarter"
Each day?"
Eyes. You don't grudge me that trl1ing
amount, do your"
II grudge you nothing. George, that
will make you and your boys happy"
cried his wife, her eyes filling with tears;
but L wish you could see this matter
Us l do. Let me give you an illustration.
The Ashford boys were here an evening
or SO ago, and they wore their blue tenn
perarce badges on their jackets.
Larry, why don't you fellows sign
the pledge? 1t is SO awfully jolly said
one OF them.
Our Lawrence laughed, Just as you
laughed at me a minute ago, George. lie
Is his fathers own son, my handsome
Larry, and it would break my heart to
see him do wrong.
It's jollier to drink your social glass,
and have your hot today when you feel
dull he replied. My father thinks the
temperance movement a humbug, and SO
DO L."
Did Larry say that?" asked Mr.. Pres
colt.
"Those were his words, George, and they
cut me to the heart. Now, husband, you
nave never denied me anything since the
day you made me you happy wife-don't
deny me this. Let's Danish all sorts Of
Intoxicating drink from our house, and
do You take your boys by the hand and
make them sign the pledge. AS their faith
er does they will do willingly" And the
little woman put by her sewing, and cross
ing to her husbands chair, took his head
in her two hands, and laid her cheek
against his face. Now, George, dear,
surely, you'll not say no to me for the
first time, will your
There was silence for a minute. and then
the husband drew the pretty face down
and kissed it.
II couldn't say no, Lizzie, II I wanted"
he said. mo man could Withstand such
a witch as you are"
On the following day Mr.. Prescott and
his three sons signed the pledge, and the
boys took great pride in their gay badges.
Intoxicating drinks were banished from
their home, and no one seemed to be one
whit the worse for 1t. If the boys had a
cold their mother administered hot lem
onade, and she found the remedy even
more efficient than the warm toddies
used to be. The boys seemed more speed
lily relieved. and had fewer attacks.
Thre years went by. Times were hard,
and money scarce, and Mr.. Prescott's bus.
mess was dull. To make matters worse, he
had a long spell Of sickness, and a heavy
doctors bill.
II can't see my way out of it," he re.
marked, sitting In his armchair, one even.
ing, his pale face scanned with lines OF
care, 81 tAS Uullullie aSSOCidllOH8 STOCK WILL
nave to go, and l do hate that very
much.''
What is it. George, dear? Maybe / car
help you.
The sick man smiled at the little wife
ever SO ready with her help.
mo. dear, you can't help me in this:
wish you could" he said. ut is a note
which must be paid before the 10TH,
And today is the eighth. What is tht
amount, George r"
Three hundred and fifty dollars, ant
I have not fifty to spare. II 1t hadn't beer
for this confounded fever"
Hush. my love. Wait till I bring m,
pledge purse" and his wife darted from
the room.
In two minutes she was back. a heav,
purse in her hand.
This Is my pledge-purse, George"
Your pledge-purse? What do 70,
meant"
Why. you see.'. and the little woman
face fairly giowed as her boys left stbei
lessons and crowded round her, eager i,
4. hear, the day YOU n the boys signes
/ the pledge, George. 4 made this purse, AM
7 calied5git nay pledga-purse. Every day
lthave put an 10 cents. u every week
/ dollar because that much rsed sto gosfo
MISUNDERSTANDING drink. thar dim,
boys and their father more harm tina.