The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-09-23
The CRUSADE AGAINST DRlyH
PROGRESS MADE BY CHAMPIONS
FIGHTING THE RUM DEMON.
The Deciding Vote-How a Mothers
Prayers and Confidence Had
Their Decisive Influence in tho
Making of q Law.

Prayers and Confidence HAD
Their Decisive Influence in tho
Making Of a Law.
There lives in a Western State q
tumble old lady whose interest In
politics Is confined to the single fact
hat her son was elected a number
If years ago a member Of the legis-
ature, and has several times since
,een reelected. What he has actu-
lily done in the legislature she does
not know. She has no doubt that
he has done all that a good boy,
grown to be a great man, ought to
haye done or could do; and one good
hing, at least, he did to justify her
confidence.
When the legislature assembled In
he autumn of 1906, the son visited
bis mother, and chided her good
naturally for not reading the speech
IS he had sent her. She had saved
hem all, and knew just where they
we're; but she confessed that she had
lot been able to read them all, nor
TO understand very well what she
had read.
But you're going to make a
speech this year that I shall read,
.very word" she said.
"Tell me which one that is, and
I'll be sure to make IT," said he.
Its the one on the anti-saloon
BILL" said she.
"Oh, that one!" he said, somewhat
:o%nfusedly.
Eyes. I know 1t will be a good
me. My boy, you know what liquor
lid for our home years ago. I have
prayed all the years that my son
might grow up to save other boys
from his fathers fate. And this 1s
our opportunity. I know you will
be true to it."
"Well, mother" replied the son,
II don't know that I have much con-
Hdence in these efforts to make mel
good by legislation. You can't very
we'll dc more than regulate the liquor
traffic. The attempt to prohibit 1t
Altogether always fails. I don't know
hat 1 can make a speech in favor OF
that bill"
But these arguments fell unheed-
sd on her ears. She did not take
them seriously. She thought her
son Joking, as was his wont.
con, I know you like to tease me-"
she said, "but I know you'll vote for
that bill and speak for it. And ]
shall read every word of your speech,
and I shall pray for you every day.
that God will bless that speech and
make it win the ight.'S
The son had. indeed, expected to
speak on the bill, but on the other
side; and he never had doubted, mol
had his political friends, which way
he would vote. But the weeks went
by, and the fate Of the bill hung In
the balance, and he kept his OWL
counsel. It was assumed, however,
that he would vote against the bill
In the end, and so his silence caused
no nneasiness to the liquor men. .
IT know why you are waiting
wrote his mother. You are waiting
to make your great speech when the
great fight comes. God bless you. my
boy! I am praying for you. Ho"
proud I am of you!" .
It was that letter that put al
doubt aside. When the lines began
to tighten and a deadlock was threat
ening, he first voted on an amend
ment which f%orecasted his final &C
ton. That vote brought surprise tc
the friends of the liquor cause.
And when the bill came up on Its
third reading. he spoke. He did moi
see the members Of the House, but
he saw an old woman, reading his
speech through spectacles that re-
uuired frequent wiping, and 1t was
q speech that carried conviction.
The vote was SO close that any one
Of a dozen things might have turned
the scale; but among the stories tolo
In the committee-rooms, after the
bill became a law under which sew
eral hundred saloons were obliged to
close, is that here related. 1t IS the
true story of the way a mothers pray
ers and confidence had their decisive
influence in the making of a law
Youths Companion.