The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-01-12
The Pledge Purse.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
George, DEAR" said Mrs. Prescott,
looking up from her basket Of mend
ing. as she and her husband sat by
their fireside one winter night, has 1t
ever occurred to you that it is time our
boys were signing the pledge?'
Mr.. Prescott tossed aside bis paper
with laugh.
There you go, my dear; and really
expected it. The wonder is you nave
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 meet wears 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 wifes bright eyes grew wistful,
and cloud crossed her pretty, fresh
face. She was happy little woman.
the mother of three promising boys,
always busy and full Of Inns for
the comfort of her family.
1T is a good movement, George,
she continued. Il trust it v 1 be
more lasting than you think; Ind 1t
would" she added, with spirit, If 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 drurkard."
Nor do l, George; but you are MOI
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 whlms.
But, really, child, I'm in no danger
I'm not a total abstinence man, III ad-
NIT; ever since l can remember I've
had my drink or two day, but l never
was intoxicated in my life, and never
expect to me"
! trust HUI, GcOISC, OuL yOu 49,
sons, and there's no telling into what
errors your example may lead them"
'Why, Lizzie, do you mean to say
set my boys 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.
II know it, George, but shall never
do it again. In the first place, it is
waste of money. The liquor used in
this house costs every cent of dollar
q 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, Lizsie, what has
come over you? Ten cents sometimes.
never more than a quarter"
Each day.?
Eyes. You don't grudge me that
trifling amount, do yOu?"
II grudge you nothing, George, that
will make you and your boys happy"
cried his wife, her eyes filling with
tears, but I 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 temperance 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 hi nd
some Larry, and it would break my
heart to see him do wrong.
It's 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..
Prescott.
''Those were his words, George, and
they cut me to the heart. Now, hus-
band, you have never denied me any
thing since the day you made me your