p. 9 | THE PINT OF ALE, JOHN

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 7, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 39.

THE PINT OF ALE, JOHN.

IT is a difficult matter to one accustomed to small daily indulgences to realize the expense thus incurred.

A Manchester (England) calico printer was asked on his wedding day by his shrewd wife to allow her two half pints of ale a day as her share of home comforts. John made the bargain cheerfully, feeling it hardly became him to do otherwise, inasmuch as he drank two or three quarts a day. The wife kept the house tidy, and all went well with them; but, as she took the small allowance each week for household expenses, she never forgot the 'pint of ale, John.'

When the first anniversary of their wedding came, and John looked around on his neat home and comely wife, a longing to do something to celebrate the day took possession of him.

'Mary, we've had no holiday since we were wed, and only that I haven't a penny in the world, we'd take a jaunt to the village and see the mother.'

'Would thee like to go, John?' she asked.

There was a tear with her smile, for it touched her heart to hear him speak tenderly, as in the olden times.

'If thee'd like to go, John, I'll stand treat.'

'Thou stand treat, Mary! Hast got a fortin left thee!'

'Nay, but I've got the pint of ale,' said she.

'Got what, wife?'

'The pint of ale,' she replied.

Whereupon she went to the hearth, and, from beneath one of the stone flags, drew out a stocking, from which she poured upon the table the sum of three hundred and sixty-five threepences ($22.81), exclaiming:—

'See, John, thee can have the holiday.'

'What is this?' he asked in amaze.

'It is my daily pint of ale, John.'

He was conscience-stricken, as well as amazed and charmed.

'Mary, hasn't thee had thy share? Then I'll have no more from this day.'

And he was as good as his word. They had the holiday with the old mother, and Mary's

little capital, saved from “the pint of ale,” was the seed from which, as the years rolled on, grew shop, factory, warehouse, country seat, and carriage, with health, happiness, peace, and honor.—Selected.