Health and Temperance

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 25, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 33.

Health and Temperance.

A TRUE STORY.

"Papa, can you please give me fifty cents for my spring hat? Most of the academy girls have theirs."

"No, May, I can't spare the money."

The above request was persuasively made by a sixteen-year-old maiden as she was preparing for school one fine spring morning. The refusal came from the parent in a curt, indifferent tone. The disappointed girl went to school. The father started for his place of business. On his way thither he met a friend, and being hail-fellow well met, invited him into Mac's for a drink. As usual, there were others there, and the man who could not spare his daughter fifty cents for a hat, treated the crowd. When about to leave he laid half a dollar on the counter, which just paid for the drinks.

Just then the saloon-keeper's daughter entered, and going behind the bar said:—

"Papa, I want fifty cents for my spring hat."

"All right," said the dealer; and taking up the half dollar from the counter, handed it over to the girl, who departed smiling.

May's father seemed dazed, walked out alone, and said to himself, "I had to bring my fifty cents here for the rum-seller's daughter to buy a hat with, after refusing it to my own daughter. I'll never drink another drop!"

And he kept his pledge.—Selected.