The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-03-25
THE PLEDGE PURSE.
By Emma Garriscn Jonea.

oand sat- by their freside one winter
night. has 1t ever occurred to you that
1T is time our boys were signing the
pledge?"' Ss5s
Mr.. Prescott tossed aside his paper with
q laugh, .#s
There you go, my dear; and really I
expected 1t. The wonderzis 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 1t; every second man l
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.
1T is a good movement, George she
continued. II trust it will be more last
ing than you think; and 1t would" she
added, with spirit, IF the influential
men of the town, the strong. reliable
held Of It."
Much obliged for the compliment, my
love-" laughed her husband; but I don't
think I'm in any danger Of becoming a
drunkard."
Nor do I. 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 1or,
taking up new whims. But, really, child.
Pm in no danger. I'm not a total abb
sttnence man, I'll admit: ever since l can
remember I've had my drink or two a
\ RI -, lrS 8 N,,o - wi n or e In "v
life, and I 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, do 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 have wine on the table oc-
casionaliy, and almost every morning the
boys lave their toddy."
And you have always mixed the bev-
erage, my dear, and shared 1t around to
u.s."
81 know it, 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?"
Yes. You don't grudge me that trifling
amount. do your"
II grudge you nothing. George, that
will make you and your boys happy"
cried his wife, her eyes filing with tears;
but 1 wish you could see this matter
! ne + DIT of m a Civa yynl1E q r Illustration
The Ashford boys were here an evening
or SO ago. and they wore their blue tenn
perance badges on their jackets.
Larry, why don't you fellows sign
the pledge? 1t Is SO awfully jolly said
one Of them.
laughed at me a 1ninut ago, George. He
Is his fathers own son, my handsome
Larry, and 1t would break my heart to
see him do wrong.
/" It's %jollier to drink your social glass,
and have you hot toddy when you feel
dull he replied. My father thinks the
temperance movement a humbug, and so
DO l."
did Larry say that 2" asked Mr.. Pres
colt.
"Those were his words. George, and they
/ cut me to the heart. Now, husband, you
have never denied me anything since the
day you made me your happy wife-don't
| QGny me tllS. LeCS DANISH iii SOIlS VI
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 check
against his face. Now, George, dear,
surely you'll not say no to me for the
first time, will your
There was silence for q minute, and then
the husband drew the pretty face Down
and kissed 1t.
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. II the boys had q
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.
Three 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.
IT can't see my way out Of it," he re-
/ AIaA SiSkAtA5 IA Alao NAS -
ing, his pale face scanned with lines OF
care, 1.-THE building association stock will
nave to go, and I do hate that very
much.''
What is 1t, George. dear7 Maybe I 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. 1T is q note
which must be paid before the 10TH"
And today Is the eighth. What is the
amount, George?"
Three hundred and fifty dollars, and
I nave not fifty to spare. II it hadn't beer
for this COMPOUNDED fever
Hush, my love. Wait till I bring M
pledge purse" and his wife darted from
the room.
In two minutes she was back, q heav,
purse in her hand.
'This is my p~ledge-purse, George"
your pledge-purse? What do yor
mean?"
why, you see" and the little woman't
face fairly glowed as her boys left theil
lessons and crowded round her, eager tc
hear, 1.-THE day you and the boys signed
the pledge, George. I made this purse, and
I called 1t my pledge-purse. Every day
II 49, x.% H. IN ~ "a nrJ r,nnLH -