The Dolores star., 1909-04-23
rows TEMPERANCE LECTURE.
Il Turned His Companions from Their
Beer to Temperance.

Il Turned His companiens from Their
Beer to Temperance.
II was . bright autumn morning.
The fall term Of st. Rudolph's school
had begun on Wednesday; now 1t was
Saturday. and the boys had q long
holiday before them. Out on the play.
ground Tom Haddon-a new boy who
had only arrived the night before
was standing by himself.
Hello. Tom Haddon; Is that your
some one called suddenly.
Toms gloomy face frightened, and
he turned eagerly toward group Of
boys near him. who were talking and
laughing in manner SO expressive at
once of good comradeship.
Now for Cruger's." shouted several
Of the boys. and they led the way to
saloon and boisterously pushed open
the door.
Tom held back. He did not like the
appearance OF the place.
What are you going in here for?''
he asked.
For a spread. Of course" one Of
the boys explained. They cook great
dinners here; come on
Tom was quite re2dy for spread"
and willingly followed the boys into
little back room where the saloon
proprietor assured them they would be
undisturbed. Dinner over, Frank
Jones, their acknowledged leader. said
gayly: Now, fellows. before we go.
we'll have a loving cup"
"A loving cup: what's that?" Tom
asked the boy nearest him.
You needn't be afraid of It, 1t won't
hurt you; it's only beer" the boy an.
swered.
Beer? ] don't want any" and Tom
pushed back his chair.
you are fool, Tom," one Of them
said. What harm can glass Of beer
do your
Come. Tom." coaxed another. don't
make row about nothing, be a man
and drink your beer"
Il won't" Tom said, sharply. Let
me co.
I'VE aren't quite ready to let you
go yet" Frank Jones said. angrily.
You are pretty fellow to kill sport
in this way; and now II you won't
rink you shall give US a temperance
lecture. II 1t is wrong to drink beer
you shall tell US why. Come. boys
pay attent IN. You will now listen to
an address on temperance from the
eloquent orator, Thomas Haddon."
Tom Haddon waited moment Once
or twice he swallowed hard. and he
breathed fast. Suddenly he threw back
his head and Strengthened himself.
Boys" he said. in a clear voice, II
Will tell you a stOry-a true story-a
story that belongs to my own life.
snew little boy once who had beau.
tiful home. He had kind father and
mother. and he loved them both 80
much that he could never tell which
he loved best. Boys, that little boys
father had always been good man !:
but once. when he wasn't well. the
doctor ordered him TO drink beer, and
he began to drink 1t. and" Toms
voice was thrilling in its emphasis
now-"he soon began to drink strong.
er things: and there came time
when that little boys home was
so changed from the lovely place 1t
once was that It seemed as II fend
must live there. That little boy
heard his father rave and curse like a
madman-and he was mad, for rum
made him so-and he saw-oh, boys.
to his dying hour he will remember 1t
he saw his mother struck down ny
his drunken fathers hand.
do you wonderland no boy who
heard 1t ever forgot the pathos OF
Toms tone-"do you wonder. boys,
hat standing by his mothers grave
hat boy looked up to heaven, and sol.
emnly vowed never while he lived to
touch or taste the drink that had
made a madman OF his father, ruined
his home. and broken his mothers
heart
Tom ceased. and for moment not a
boy stirred.
"Tom." Frank Jones said, you are
hero. Why. think you are braver
than soldier. am proud of you.
and would do just like you IL l were
in your place" The boy stopped; a
new thought had come to him. He
looked around on his companions.
Boys" he said, earnestly, ut seems
to me that what would do II l were
in Toms place, had better do now in
my own place" And the other boys all
agreed.-Mary Hubbard Howell, in
Christian Work.