Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1907-05-16
i UNCLE GlD'S LETTER.

If we could only know the great
number of promises made and broken
we would almost, fear, loose faith in
mankind, but the story | am going to
tell you is of young boy who made
and kept a promise while he lived,
which was many years. This boy was
called Davie, but when / first became
acquainted with him he was called I'm
Gle Davy, which was about 35 years
ago. Davy and his sister, Serenie,
were the son and daughter of a widow
ed mother, their father having died
soon after Serenie was born. Their
mother was pious, good woman and
one of the old fashioned women of the
early days we love to talk and read
about.
At the age of IA years Davy's moth
er was taken seriously sick. She soon
realized that she must die and leave
her two orphan children at the mercy
of cold hearted world. She one day
called Davy to her bedside and said to
him, my son, l realize that I must
die and leave you and my little daugh
ter bat before l go want to know
whether you have ever taken any in
toxicating drinks or not" Davie,
with mis- little heart almost bursting
with sorrow, said, mo, mother, |
never did. will you promise, me,
my son, you never will. "Yes,
mother, I will" Then she laid her
arm around his neck as he leaned over
the bedside and said, my son, will
you promise me never to play cards or
gambler" Davie, weeping as though
his heart would break made the prom
sic. Then she kissed him and asked
God to bless her boy and help him to
keep his promises. David promised to
care for little Serenie. In few days
he followed the ifeless form of his
mother to the silent graveyard and saw
it lowered to its last resting place.
No father was ever kinder to his
daughter than David was to his sister.
| knew them both well, have hunted
with David many times, and am con-
fident he never tasted drop of liquor
in his life, and he told me out of his
own mouth that he didn't know the
taste of liquor, and [ don't believe he
knew one card from another. A kind
er. better man never knew or lived
I by. Aunt Serenie was a favorite Of
my wife, and she often talks about
Uncle Dave and Aunt Serenie.
Uncle Dave has often told me he haC
rather die than break his promise tC
his mother. He lived and died sobe,
virtuous man. Neither ever married
but one thing l can say, while they
lived no orphan child ever was denied
shelter. 1t seemed they were neve
so happy as when they had some or
phan children under their care.
Both have gone to rest but Will
their bodies lie in the silent tomb, the
are not forgotten by friends who KIN ey
the story of their lives.
All how much better would it b
for many who yet live on earth if the
had kept their VOWS and pledges mad
to loved ones while dying. All hoy
much better the world would be if me
and women would keep their VOWS an
obligations made to each other Dav
is the only man | ever really kneV
that kept his promise to his mother
A child promising his mother to liv
soberly and honestly! Think of it, y
false vowers.
k Uncle Davy raised one Of my ow
cousins to manhood, he being fathel
less and motherless boy, and of tendt
age. True the connections were alb
Q to care for Johnny, but Uncle DAY
IL begged so hard that his uncle agree
e he might have him as there were fly
. others to care for. Johnny grew
# manhood and in love affair took b
J. own life, the story of which don
a care to relate as it is too sad. Cir
y and boys, be honest and don't fiirt al
a lie. Keep your promises.
q UNCLE GID.