jeer and taunt, came away with reverence and plaudits for the youthful speaker, many of whom went up to sign the pledge Mr. Brewster had drawn up. When she closed there was manifested a deep sensation among the crowd, in the midst of which arose an old man apparently, with trembling limbs and the other accompaniments of an unsteady life, who spoke with a loud voice, saying,—
"I want to make a temperance speech!"
A general titter ran through the groups of boys collected here and there in every available space, which increased as he went forward to occupy the desk at Mr. Brewster's solicitation.
"Young men," said he, "look at me. You may laugh at me now, for if you set aside the pity I ought to inspire, I must indeed cut a ridiculous figure. I was once young like you, the pride of my mother, and the joy and support of my father, who, thank God, went to his home in heaven before he was aware of the curse I was to bring on his honored name. The world was just as full of attractions to me as it is to you, and I indulged in all the joyous anticipations of honor and fame common to every boy as he verges into manhood.
"Look at me now, you see what I am,—a looking glass for you all. You think me old, but I tell you if it had not been for rum I should still be in the full vigor of life, in the flush enjoyment of all my faculties. Do you think I meant to be what I am when I first touched the drunkard's cup? Ah! I abhorred that word drunkard as much as you can, I don't know but I should have knocked a man down if he
