“BETTER TAKE A SHEEP TOO.”
A VALUED friend and able farmer, about the time the temperance reform was beginning to exert a healthful influence, said to his newly-hired man— “Jonathan, I did not think to mention to you when I hired you that I shall try to have my work done this year without rum. How much must I give you to do without?” “Oh,” said Jonathan, “I don’t care much about it! You may give me what you please.” “Well,” said the farmer, “I will give you a sheep in the fall if you do without rum.” “Father, will you give me a sheep, too, if I do without rum?” then asked the elder son. “Yes, you shall have a sheep if you do without.” The youngest son then said, “Father, will you give me a sheep if I will do without?” “Yes, Chandler, you shall have a sheep also.” Presently Chandler speaks again: “Father, hadn’t you better take a sheep, too?” The farmer shook his head; he hardly thought that he could give up the stimulant, but the appeal came from a source not easily to be disregarded; and the result was, the demon rum was thenceforth banished from the premises, to the great joy and ultimate happiness of all concerned.—Selected.