The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-12-06
The Pledge Purse.
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BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.


George, dear" said Mrs. Prescott
looking up from her basket of mend.
ing, a. she and her husband sat BY
their Preside winter night, has il
ever occurred to you that it is time oul
boys were signing the pledge?"
Mr.. Prescott tossed aside his pape
with a laugh.
There you go, my dear; and really
expected it. The wonder is you have
not 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 sec
ond man l meet e a gay blue rib
bon in his buttonhole, 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 cloud crossed her pretty, fresh
face. She was a happy little woman,
the mother Of three promising boys,
always busy and full of plans for
the comfort of her family.
1T is a good movement, George"
she continued. 81 trust it will be
o lasting than you think; and it
would" she added, with spirit, eff 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 be-
coming a drunkard."
Nor do L, George; but you are not
q temperance man, and there's al
ways danger in having aught to do
with sin"
Why Lizzie, how much in earnest
you seem. You've caught the fever
without doubt You always had a
weakness for taking up new whims.
But, really, child, I'm in no danger.
I'm not a total abstinence man, I'll adj
nit; ever since L can remember I've
had my drink or two a day, but l
was Intoxicated in my life, and | never
expect to me-"
i 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?"
mo, George, there never was a bet
ter husband and father than you are,
but you encourage your boys to drink
intoxicating liquors. We have wine
on the table occasionally, and almost
every morning the boys have their
toddy."
And you have always mixed the
beverage, my dear, and shared it round
to u.s."
81 know it, George, but l shall never
do il. again. In the first place, it is q
waste of money. The liquor used in
this house costs every cent of a dollar
a week"
That's not much, Lizzie"
No; but it counts up. And how
much does your private drinking
mount to, do you suppose?"
Bless my soul, Lizzie, what has
come over you? Ten cents sometimes.
never more than a quarter"
Each day."
Yes. You don't grudge me that
Cf1f1nS amount, do yOu?"
Il grudge you nothing, George. that
will make you and your boys happy"
cried his wife, her eyes filling with
tears, but / wish you could see this
matter as l do. Let me give you an
illustration. The Ashford boys were
here an evening or so ago, and thew
wore their blue temperance badges
on their jackets.
" Larry, why don't you fellows sign
b pledge? 1t is so awfully jolly said
one OF them.
Our Lawrence laughed, just as Won
laughed at me a minute ago, George.
He is his fathers own son, my hand
some Larry, and it would break my
heart to see him dc wrong.
" It's jollier to drink your social
glass, and have your hot toddy when
you feel dull he replied. My father
thinks b temperance movement a
humbug, and so do l.
did Larry say that?" asked Mr..
Prescott.
Those were his words, George. and
they cut me to the heart. Now. hus-
band, you nave never ienied me any,
thing since the day you made me your
happy wife-dont 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 father does thew
will do willingly" And the little wo-
put by her sewing and crossed to
husbands chair, took his head in
her two hands. and laid her cheek
against his face. Nov, George, dear.
surely you'll not say no to me for the
first time, will your"
There was silence for a minute and