The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-01-12

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 they
will do willingly" And the little wo-
man put by her sewing and crossed 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 you?"
There was silence for a minute and
then the husband drew the pretty face
down and kissed it.
II couldn't say no, Lizzie, if | want
ed" he said. NO man could with
stand such 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 it. If the
boys had cold their mother admin
istered hot lemonade, and she found
the remedy even more efficient than
the warm toddies used to be. The
boys seemed more speedily relieved.
and had fewer attacks.
Three years went by. Times were
hard, and money scarce, and Mr.. Pres
colts business was dull. To make
matters worse, he had long spell OF
sickness, and heavy doctors bill.
Il can't see my way out Of 1t" he
remarked, sitting in his armchair, one
evening, his pale face scanned with
lines of care, the building association
stock will have to 60. and l do hate
that very much"
What is it, George, dear? Maybe
can 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;
I wish you could he said. 1T is a
ncte. which must be paid before the
tenth"
And today is the eighth. What is
the amount, George?'
Three hundred and fifty dollars,
and have not fifty to spare. II it had
not been for this COMPOUNDED fever
Hush, my love- Wait till | bring
my pledge purse" and his wife dart
ed from the room.
In two minutes sha was back,
heavy purse in her hand.
This is my pledge purse, George. 4
Your pledge-purse? What do you
mean?'
why, you see," and the little wo-
| mans face fairly glOwed as her boys
! left their lessons and crowded round
| her, eager to hear. the day you and
the boys signed the pledge. George, l
made this purse, and | called 1t my
pledge purse. Every week day l have
put in ten cents. and every week a dol
lar, because that much used to go for
nasty, intoxicating drink, that did my
| boys and their father more harm than
good Sometimes, when l had lit
| tie spare change, threw that in, too.
Larry, my boy, sit down by your father
and count over the contents. l hope
there may be enough to pay that
troublesome note
Larry obeyed with alacrity, his faith
er looking on with eager eyes as he as
sorted the dollar notes and piled up
| the quarters and dimes. When ali was
| told the amount was four hundred and
| sixty-five dollars.
Mr.. Prescott looked at his wife, and
| his eyes filled with tears.
why, Lizzie-why, little wife, what
can | say?" he began.
She caught his head to her bosom.
Say nothing, George. | kept my
| pledge purse for an hour Of need, and
| that hour has come. Pay the note
| that troubles you, dear, and then get
| well and strong at your leisure
Her husband was silent; but the
three boys leaped to their feet and
| shouted: "Hurrah for the pledge!"
until the room rang.-New York
| Weekly.