In His Own Way by A. C. Gilbert

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Feb 9, 1915

In His Own Way

By A. C. Gilbert

THE story is told of a man, long noted for intemperate habits, who was induced by the Rev. John Abbot to sign the pledge “in his own way,” which he did in these words: “I pledge myself to drink no more intoxicating drinks for one year.” Near the end of the year, he again appeared at a temperance meeting, without having once touched a drop.

“Are you not going to sign again?” asked Mr. Abbot.

“Yes,” replied he, “if I can do it in my own way.”

Accordingly he wrote, “I sign this pledge for nine hundred and ninety-nine years; and if I live to that time, I intend to take out a life lease.”

A few days later, he called upon the tavern keeper, who welcomed him back to his old haunt.

“O, landlord,” said he, as in pain, “I have such a lump on my side!”

“That’s because you have stopped drinking,” said the landlord. “You won’t live long if you keep on.”

“Will drink take the lump away?”

“Yes; and if you don’t drink, you’ll soon have a lump on the other side. Come, let’s drink together.” And the liquor dealer poured out two glasses of whisky.

“I guess I won’t drink,” said the former inebriate, “especially if keeping the pledge will bring another lump; for it is not very hard to bear, after all.” And with this he drew the lump — a bag of dollars — from his side pocket, and walked off, leaving the landlord to his reflections. A. C. GILBERT.