The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1905-11-01
The Christian Temperance Union.

The Christaian Temperance Union.
Frank and Mary had always
been friends. Their parents had
been neighbors before they
were born. In early childhood
they were playmates, and in
school days they had done their
lessons together. Now that they
had grown into young man and
womanhood they were true,
steadfast and particular friends.
The autumnal sunset had died
the western sky with rose and
gold. the birds chirped as they
futtered home to sleep. A wind
was blowing with just enough
freshness in it to be refreshing
so soon after the oppressive heat
of summer. Mary Cameron sal
on the doorsteps Of her home to
arrange the beautiful collection
of golden rods, asters and wild
sunfowers she had gathered
while walking home from the
village.
There was the sound Of foot
steps on the walk. Mary raised
her head. "Why it is Frank, F"
she exclaimed, really Frank"
eyes, and you are really Mary, !"
he said, taking the extended
hand. II am very glad to see
you, a year is a long time. |
wonder if you have changed
much?" he continued, looking at
her steadily.
Il don't think I've changed
much, "she replied, ''only I'm a
year older you know. Won't
you come in and have a seat?:"
"No, thank you, I'd rather sit
out here with you and the flow
ers.."
Mary made room and Frank
sat on the steps beside her,
while she worked with the flow
ers he watched her, and they
both talked of what they had
done within the last year. The
twilight faded into darkness. A
crescent moon gave a pale, sill
very light. Mary finished with
flowers and leaned over against
post with a sigh that hada touch
of WEAKNESS in it. Frank look
ed at her wistfully.
"I believe you are changed,
Mary" he said, Il don't think l
am as welcome tonight as I have
been" :" with sadness.
"Oh, yes, you are welcome,
Frank" she said eagerly. Don't
think I'm changed that way.
I'm tired, you know I walked to
the village and back this after
noon. The temperance society
met and I wanted to go; it was
not convenient for me to ride,
so I walked. I didn't think I'd
mind it atall, but / found it right
warm and tiresome."
After a short silence Frank
said, almost Grossly, 'sIt's no use
to ask you if you have joined
that society for know you have.
Miss Morton persuaded you in
it, eh?"
"Oh! Frank y replied the girl
with a laugh, 'syou are not fair,
for you know I needed no per-
|suation. I always was a strong.
believer in temperance when l
was a little child I thought the
meanest, lowest and most dan
gerous things on earth was a
drunk man.
Eyes, | think / have a right
to know that you. always believ.
ed in temperance, said Frank,
and he laughed in spite of him
Iself for he thought of the many
arguments he and Mary had had
on the subject. It had always
been a point of disagreement
with them. Frank was a smart
and good boy. everybody liked
him, but in Mary's estimation he
lhad one GREAT fault. without it
he was to her perfection. He
had said there was no harm IN
taking.a social drink now and
then. He was firm in his belief
and practised his doctrine. AS
he sat there by her in the moon
light he wondered that she was
silent, for she had always been
very ready to speak. This was
so different, he thought. to the
Hast talk, they had about it.
Then they were coming home
from school, he had her books,
| he remembered. a mile from the
school house, their paths divid-
ed. They were in the midst of
the conversation when the time
came to part, neither would give
|up, so they sat down by the
roadside and talked until the sun
went down and gathering dark
ness compelled them to go home.
Mary's words came back to
him as clear as ever. Il know
it is wrong to drink, it's wrong
to touch a drop, for we are all
weak and easily led astray. One
drink calls for another. It's a
powerful wicked thing and once
lit gets one under it's influence:
he is helpless. When I see real
I1runkard. cursing and raging