The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-03-25
THE PLEDGE PURSE.
ev Emma earrison Jones.

BY Emma Garrison Jones.
! New York Weekly: George, DEAR"
said Mrs. Prescott. looking up from her
basket OF mending, as she and her hus-
band sat by their f1reside one winter
night, has 1t ever occurred to you thas
1t is time our boys were signing the
pledge2"
Mr.. Prescott tossed aside his paper with
q 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 race.
Sh was a happy little woman. the moth
er Of three promising boys, always busy
and full of plans for the comfort OF har
family.
1T is a good movement. George she
continued. Il trust it will be more last
ing than you think and 1t would she
added. with spirit, III 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 don't
think I'm in any danger OF becoming q
d~runkard."
Nor do I, George: but you are not a
temperance man, and there's always dan
ger in having aught to do with sin"
why, Lizzie, how much IN earnest you
seem. You've caught the fever Without
1ouhf Won alwava had a weAkn6SS IOE
taking up new whims. But. really, child.
I'm In no danger. I'm not a total ao-
stinence man, I'll admit; ever since can
remember I've had my drink or two a
day, but I 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, do you mean to say 1
set my boys a bad eXample?"
NO, George, there never was a better
husband and father than you are, but you
encourage your boys to drink intoxicating
liquors. We lave wine on the table oc-
casionally, and almost every morning inc
boys have their toddy."
"And you nave always mixed the oev-
erage, my dear, and shared 1t around to
U.S."
Il know 1t, George, but I shall never DO
it 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 1t counts up. And how much
does YOU private drinking amount to. 90
you suppose?"
"Bles my soul. Lizzie, what has como
over your? Ten cents someties. never
more than a quarter
Each day."
Eyes. You don't grudge me that trifling
amount, do youT"
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
as I do. Let me give you an 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.
Our Lawrence laughed, Just as you
laughed at me a minute ago George. he
is his fathers own son, my handsome
Larry, and it would break my heart to
see him do wrong.
Its jollier to drink your social glass,
and have your hot toddy 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
have never denied me anything since the
day you made me your 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
err 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 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. 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.
Three years vent by. Times were hare,
and money scarce, and Mr.. Prescott's bus
tncss 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, the building association stock will
have to go, and l 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 a note
which must be paid before the 10TH"
And today Is the eighth. What Is thu
amount, George?"
""Three hundred and fifty dollars, ant