p. 782 | A TRUE STORY by Philadelphia Methodist

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 2, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 46.

A TRUE STORY.

By Philadelphia Methodist

"PAPA, will you please give me fifty cents for my spring hat? Most all 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, he invited him into Mac's for a drink. As usual, there were others there, and the man that could not spare his daughter fifty cents for a hat, treated the crowd.

When about to leave, he laid a half-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 new spring hat."

"All right," said the dealer, and taking up the half-dollar from the counter, he 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 rumseller's daughter to buy a hat with, after refusing it to my own. I'll never drink another drop." And he kept his pledge.—Philadelphia Methodist.