Now when he felt the fearful craving coming over him he would walk the carpet till he had actually worn it threadbare; but that he had been converted and found grace to help him in time of need, and how he had gone out and tried to reform others and had seen the work prosper in his hand.

I watched Joe's face, it seemed lit up with earnestness and hope, as if that man had brought him a message of deliverance; then after the meeting came the signing of the pledge and joining the reform club, and it would have done you good to see the men that joined." "Do you remember Thomas Allison ?" "Yes, poor fellow, and I think if any man ever inherited drunkenness, he did, for his father and his mother were drunkards before him." "Well, he joined and they have made him president of the club." "Well did I ever! But tell me all about Joe." "When the speaking was over, Joe sat still and thoughtful as if making up his mind, when Miss Gordon came to him and asked him to join, he stopped a minute to button his coat and went right straight up and had his name put down, but oh how the people did clap and shout.

Well as Joe was one of the last to sign, the red ribbons they use for badges was all gone and Joe looked so sorry, he said he wanted to take a piece of ribbon home to let his wife know that he belonged to the Reform Club, Miss Gordon heard him, and she had a piece of black lace and red ribbon twisted together around her throat and she separated the lace from the ribbon and tied it in his button-hole, so his Mary would see it.

Oh Miss Belle did look so sweet and Mr.Clifford never took his eyes off her.

I think he admires her very much." "I don't see how he can help it, she is one of the dearest--sweetest, ladies I ever saw, she never seemed to say by her actions, 'I am doing so much for you poor people' and you can't be too thankful." "Not she, and between you and I, and the gate-post, I think that will be a match." "I think it would make a splendid one, but hush, I hear some persons coming." The door opened and Paul Clifford, Joe Gough, and Belle Gordon entered.
"Here Mrs.Gough," said Paul Clifford, "as we children used to say.
Here's your husband safe and sound, and I will add, a member of our reformed club and we have come to congratulate you upon the event." "My dear friends, I am very thankful to you for your great kindness, I don't think I shall ever be able to repay you." "Don't be uneasy darling," said Belle, "we are getting our pay as we go along, we don't think the cause of humanity owes us anything." "Yes," said Joe seating himself by the bed side with an air of intense gratification.