I should have told them so." "Perhaps they thought I was impertinent in talking to them about their private affairs," said John; "but I will tell you what I said to them.
I said, 'My good fellows, I will clear my house and table of wine, if you will clear yours of rum.' On this agreement I formed a temperance society; my father and I put our names at the head of the list, and we got every man and boy in Spindlewood.

It was a complete victory; and, since then, there hasn't been a more temperate, thrifty set of people in these United States." "Didn't your mother object ?" "My mother! no, indeed; I wish you could have known my mother.

It was no small sacrifice to her and father.

Not that they cared a penny for the wine itself; but the poetry and hospitality of the thing, the fine old cheery associations connected with it, were a real sacrifice.

But when we told my mother how it was, she never hesitated a moment.