The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-01-13
A Thrilling Scene.

Among the many hopeful signs indicat.
ing temperance progress, none more en-
couraging than the interest everywhere
taken in the Twentieth Century pledge.
signing crusade inaugurated by the Ma.
tion Temperance Society. Since that time
nearly 5000, 900 pledges have been sent out
free by the society in response to appli'
cations. and these applications have come
from churches and Sabbath schools of all
denominations and from all temperance
organizations. Now the Epworth League
pia-s a simi'a ar p.edgc-signng crusade.
Many OF the reports that are being re-
ceived by the society are deeply interest.
ing. Some of them describe thrilling
scenes as witnessed at public meetings
Tate the following instance:
II was a mixed audience that gathered
III the hall; among them was one poor wo
man who had sto,en away from her power
ty.stricker. ruined home. where she had
left her babies who. weak with hunger
had went themselves to sleep With Dor
rowed cloak TO hide her desttution this
sorrowing woman had found a place among
the crowd who had gathered to hear from
4 stranger bow the victims OF rum could
he. saved and their darkened homes made
LIGHT.
With intense interest she listened TO the
sneaker. who. in the tale he recited. was
describing her own case. He tells OF hone;
hut nO-that never can be hers. IT he,
her husband was here. perhaps-and then
dceD. deep sigh bursts from her lips: but
she listens still and more intently to the
speakers moving words until her heart is
iuil, and iookiuo around to see what effect
the words OF the speaker have upon her
neiohhors
What ails the woman? Whom has she
seen among the crowd? Her cheeks are
flushed with burning crimson and her eyes
are bright with living fire. 1t is-it must
hn him. She cannot be mistaken in him.
Yes. It's her husband. Far back amongst
the crowd he stands with folded arms. his
gaze intent upon the speakers face: deep
earnestness is stamped on every feature
a. he cazeS ol.
See. he dashes n tcar.drnp from his eve.
What has moved: The simple story Of a
woman's faith-a wounding patience. The
the tear.drop. A gathering mist is in
her own ewes. but she forgets it all: for
gets all but her other self. Now the speak
er closes. and there is stirring among the
crowd. Stepping down from the platform
the speaker takes his place bv table on
which is an oren book and in kindly, per.
snasiye tones invites the audience to sign
the nledge.
Make way! The figure Of a, man advances
wav to the table. Behind that figure ia
a female form-a shadow. pale, faded
thin y So feeh'e that she cannot stand. but
leans upon his shoulder with one hand
clasning his arm.
There. | have sigrod." exclaims the
man. 'and now. my wife. come home and
LEI us pray TONIGHT" Stop but one mo.
ment. What hand is hers? So thin.
so trembling; yet she grasps as if it were
rod OF iron to nscribe deep words of
mercy on the rock forever.
They pass out tosether-that penniless
and friendless pair. trong in each other 9
truth. rich in each others love
Weeks glide away-months--ard to-day
they are now so happy: blest with beau
tifnl home and rosy children.
Such are the scenes which cheer on every
hand the laborers in this pledge. signing
crusade.-The National Advocate.