Aunt Dinah's pledge

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For greed of gain, one stoops to sin; Unheeding that, to lose or win,

He stakes a human soul,

With all its hope, and all its fear: Stakes all he holds most near and dear, Beyond his love’s control.

At the garden-gate Aunt Dinah paused and looked up. Above her was a cloudless sky, in which the moon shone, full and resplendent. But her eyes looked beyond this fair seeming. Piercing its azure depths, she caught a glimpse of Him who looks down with pity upon the sorrowing and tempted.

This was enough. She had gained the strength she sought. The heavy burden was lifted, and a smile lighted up her dark face. "The good Lord knows all ’bout it,” she murmured ; and this never-failing consolation was sufficient for her needs.

Directly after, a cheerful voice was heard, aunt dinah’s pledge.

and Mira Dempster sprang from the couch on which she was reclining.

O

0 Aunt Dinah, I am so glad you have come ! ” was her first exclamation. "I am very lonely this evening.”

"I spected as much, honey; and thought ole auntie might be better’ n nobody. What you been thinkin’ ’bout ? ”

” About father and Albert.”

"’Taint no use, chile, only when you pray de good Lord for urn. I knows ’bout that.”

But I can’t help it,” replied the young girl, as she drew a footstool to the side of Aunt Dinah. "If mother had only lived.”

"Don’t wish her back, chile. She all done with trouble now.”

I don t wish her back ; but she knew so much better than I what to do. She might save Albert and Charley.”

" Spect de good Lord can save urn. He’s able.”

"O Aunt Dinah, do you believe he will?” now asked Mira, in a tone which evinced the deepest anxiety.

aunt dinah’s pledge.

* ’Pears like lie would,” was the reply. " What’s ’come of your faith, child?”

" I don’t know ; but ever since I received father’s last letter, things have gone wrong with me. You know Albert is coming with him, and I am afraid of their influence over Charley. Albert always laughs at my scruples.”

"They won’t have none of their liquor here, chile,” said Aunt Dinah, decidedly. "I’ll take care ’bout that.”

"That is not all the trouble.”

"I know,” was the quick response. "There’ll be dirty pipes and ’bacco, all day long. I’ll speak ’bout that too.”

"I am afraid it will do more hurt than good,” said Mira. "Albert is an inveterate smoker, and impatient of anything like restraint. He is a swearer too.”

" Well, honey, we’ll see ’bout that. Don’t worry;” and a large, coarse hand passed caressingly over the bowed head. " ’Pears like there’ll be a way.”

Thus Aunt Dinah endeavored to comfort aunt dinah’s pledge.

and cheer one, who, in the very spring-time of life, shrank from its burdens. Gradually her influence was felt, and despondency gave way to hope.

" You will stay here to-night,” said Mira, after a short silence.

"Yes, chile, I tole them boys so. Spected you’d want me.”

An hour later Aunt Dinah sat alone in the chamber allotted to her use. The children were sleeping. She had bent over each one fondly, praying — oh, so earnestly! — that they might be kept from temptation and sin.

Dinah Freeman sometimes called herself old ; while perhaps in the next breath she would declare she never felt younger. But now, as she looked back over quarter of a century, the way seemed long.

Twenty-five years before she had come from the city, and engaged as servant in the family of a wealthy farmer. Her previous life had been one of hardship, as was evident from her appearance. Of her parents she aunt dinah’s pledge.

knew very little, not having seen them since she was a child.

Under these circumstances, it was not strange that her naturally warm heart responded to kindness. She became a faithful and affectionate servant, devoted to the interests of those who employed her, lavishing upon the two daughters of the family the fondest expressions of regard and using every means to add to their happiness.

At this time Hiram Dempster was a frequent visitor in the home of Mr. Gibson, and it required no great penetration to see that he was a favorite with all. A young man of good business talents, with some means at his command, he indulged in ambitious dreams of wealth. Making haste to be rich, he was not over-scrupulous in regard to ways and means. Through the representations of a professed friend he had been induced to enter a large establishment where liquors were skilfully manufactured, to be sold at a great profit. After two years, in which he proved a valuable assistant, he was aunt dinah’s pledge.

admitted to the firm, and considered himself on the high road to fortune.

Soon after, Mira Gibson became his wife, and received the congratulations of friends upon the brilliant prospect before her. Gentle and loving, her husband seemed to her all that woman could desire ; and with bright anticipations she left her country home.

Dinah Manuel alone had misgivings in regard to the future. By severe lessons and bitter experience she had learned that smooth wbrds and ready smiles are not, necessarily, proofs of a kind heart.

As I have to do with the children whom Providence had placed in his care, it is not my purpose to give a detailed account of Hiram Dempster’s life. It is only necessary to say that his wife soon found she occupied but a secondary place in his affections.

He loved money, first and best ; not as the miser, who would deny himself food and clothing, that he might add another dollar to aunt Dinah’s pledge.

his hoard ; but greed of gain was the ruling passion of this man’s life. All else must be subservient.

The grossest deceptions were practised ; and so they were not discovered it mattered little to him. When his wife remonstrated, she was told that women knew nothing of business, and she had better attend to what concerned her. The silence thus enjoined was never broken until the day of her death. Even when she knew that her husband was indulging too freely in the use of liquors, manufactured for others, she uttered neither entreaty nor complaint.' During her visits to the old home she so carefully concealed all traces of unhappiness that only Dinah suspected the true state of affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson died, believing that their daughter had married fortunately.

At their death, which occurred three years after Hiram Dempster’s marriage, Dinah Manuel was strongly urged by his wife to come to her.

But Dinah had other plans. She was aunt dinah’s pledge.

looking forward to a home of her own. However, after much persuasion, and some consultation with Eufus Freeman, she consented to spend six months with one who had such strong claims upon her sympathy and affection.

The revelations of these months confirmed her distrust of Mr. Dempster. Learning enough of his business to know that it was dishonest and dishonorable, most sincerely did she pity her who was bound to his fortunes.

A child was born, during these months, but it opened its eyes upon the fair earth, only to close them ere a week had passed. The mother shed bitter tears, even while thankful that her child had gone w T here was no sorrow or disappointment; while the father was too much engrossed in his business either to rejoice or mourn.

"You will come again, if I need you,” said Mrs. Dempster, w r hen she parted from her favorite servant.

" If I can,” was the reply. " Count on me,”

added Dinah, through her tears. "’Pears like you’ll want somebody some time.”

In her own home, the little brown cottage where she now dwelt, she thought often* of this parting, murmuring to herself, "She’ll want somebody some time.”

Having no relatives in her native town, Mrs. Dempster visited there but once after her parents’ death. She had no wish to look upon her childhood’s home, now passed into the hands of strangers ; and did so only at the urgent request of her sister. The contrast between her present and former life was too great.

She had money without stint ; but to gain it her husband was bringing ruin to others. This thought haunted her, sleeping or waking ; all the more terrible that she gave it no utterance. She almost envied Dinah Freeman, despite the mark upon her.

" You seem very happy,” said this woman of wealth to her who counted the smallest earnings.

"Spect I am happy,” was the smiling reaunt dinah’s pledge.

ply, as she bent over a cradle which contained, for her, the dearest baby in the world.

There came a time when Mrs. Dempster needed Dinah, and so longed for her presence that a message was despatched, urging her to come at once. She could go. Her baby had grown to be a strong, healthy boy, four years of age, needing little care, and quite satisfied if allowed to roll and tumble at his own sweet will.

"’Pears like I must go right off,” said Dinah, hastening to make all needful provision for those she left behind. Her husband lent his aid, and she was soon ready. He could " see to the boy,” and keep the house in order.

"Pray the good Lord for me,” said his wife, when about to bid him good-by ; " spect I’ll find trouble.”

Mrs. Dempster was sick unto death. Disappointed hopes, blighted anticipations, and a crushing sense of guilt, which in some way she seemed to share, had well-nigh aunt dinah’s pledge.

done their work. She grieved to leave her child, the "Sister Mi” of our story, but, aside from this, she felt no regret at laying down a burdened life.

Dinah ministered to her wants with the utmost tenderness. Although spending little time in the sick-room, Hiram Dempster spared no expense in providing for her the * best medical treatment.

At length the last day came, and he was summoned to the bedside of his dying wife.

" I have much to say to you, my husband,” she whispered. " I have kept silent all these years, as you bade me ; but I can do so no longer.”

His heart smote him with a sudden pain, as he remembered the words she had spoken in the early days of their marriage. At that moment he would have made any sacrifice to prolong her life, — given any promise she might demand.

But the Angel of Death came suddenly, laying an icy hand upon the parted lips. One only request had she proffered.

aunt dinah’s pledge.

" Let our child go to my sister, and O my husband — ”

Here the voice was hushed. What more she would have said none ever knew.

The child was immediately given into the care of her aunt, while Mr. Dempster turned to his old idol, gain. He was still pressing forward in the pursuit of wealth, when one of his partners disappeared, taking a large amount of money belonging to the firm. Upon investigation it was found that his dishonesty had been great, and the shrewdest management was necessary to preserve the credit of the establishment.

This was a severe blow to the man who looked upon money as the greatest earthly good ; but it only served to inspire him with new ardor. By great effort and untiring application, the past was retrieved, and again fortune smiled upon him.

His daughter was eight years of age when he contracted a second marriage with a most amiable and accomplished lady. Having seen him only under favorable circumstances, aunt dinah’s pledge.

she was ignorant of his faults, while, so far as his business was concerned, he was no worse than some of her own relatives.

Soon after this marriage, the sister of his first wife, and her husband, both died, leaving one child, a boy, who, with his own little Mira, was taken to the home of Hiram Dempster.

Here they were most affectionately welcomed by her who was to assume their care ; while the father and uncle was nothing loth to receive them, since, as the guardian of Albert Wilson, he would control the property left by his parents.

His ward was a smart, active boy, somewhat impulsive, but possessing an affectionate nature, through which he could be easily managed. While he grieved for the loss of father and mother, Mrs. Dempster, by her * sympathy and kindness, soon obtained a

c- strong influence over him.

Both he and Mira were speedily reconciled to their new home, the latter loving her mother with a devotion rarely seen. They aunt dinah’s pledge.

could not have found a better friend, but, unfortunately, in Albert’s case, Mr. Dempster’s influence was in direct opposition to that of his wife. His example destroyed the force of her best teachings.

She remonstrated, urging the claims of duty upon him. Now that the interests of others were at stake she did not hesitate to speak plainly.

Her husband was not one to brook interference ; but, for once, a woman’s words had some power over him.

"I have no wish to injure the boy,” he said. "Albert is doing well enough.”

"No, my husband, he is not doing well enough,” was the reply. "His moral sensibilities are becoming blunted, and he often quotes you as authority against me. If you would forbid his entering your store there would be one point gained. I should be glad if he would never see liquors of any kind. I would banish wine from our table if it depended upon me.”

" Nonsense ! you are going too far. Liqaunt dinah’s pledge.

uors of all kinds will meet Albert at every turn in life, and he will be likely to use them.”

" I hope not,” replied Mrs. Dempster. "If he does, he shall not reproach me with it. I should be sorry to have him grow up like most of our young men ; and lately I have been thinking that such as you, who deal largely in liquors, will find a great wrong at your door.”

"People choose for themselves,” was the reply of this respectable liquor merchant. "I am not responsible for others. Albert must take his chance with the rest.”

Mrs. Dempster turned away, with less respect for her husband, but with her purpose nothing shaken. She would guard this boy, and save him from evil, so far as God should give her strength.

She watched over him carefully, restraining when it was possible, and striving to lead him in the right way ; but as he grew older her counsels had less influence.

Mira, who was Albert’s constant compan-

AUNT DINAH’S PLEDGE.

ion when at home, often reproved him for the use of improper language. Upon one occasion, when she had manifested more feeling than usual, he replied that Uncle Hiram used such words all the time.

"Well, they are wicked, if he does,” said Mira ; "but I never heard him.”

" If you want to know how he talks you should go to the store,” retorted Albert. "That’s the place to hear him.”

" It must be a dreadful wicked place then. I wish father wouldn’t stay there ; ” and since that day Mira’s opinion and wish had been often repeated. More reason was there now than then ; but I will not anticipate.

Two children were born in this family, and love for them quickened the mother’s regard for others. But her strength and sympathies were overtaxed. When Charley was a few months old her health began to fail.

A quiet retreat in the country was recommended, and for some reason choice was made of the village where Mr. Dempster had wooed and won his first wife. A servant aunt dinah’s pledge.

accompanied the family ; but soon after their arrival it was found necessary to summon Dinah Freeman, and, as she made herself generally useful, her services were in frequent requisition.

For Mira she had retained a strong affection, which soon extended to mother and children. Olive was delighted with one who petted and caressed her so fondly ; while Charley sprang to her arms gleefully.

Through all the summer months Mrs. Dempster lingered here, and then went home to die. Mindful of their children, she exacted from her husband a promise that they should be educated in the country, and it was in consequence of this promise that he had bought the cottage where they now lived.

Mira was only fourteen years of age when again deprived of a mother’s care ; but experience and observation had given her more knowledge of the springs of human action than is sometimes learned in a long lifetime. She had been her mother’s confidant, unaunt dinah’s pledge.

derstanding her wishes, and knowing her anxiety.

Albert was absent from home at the time of Mrs. Dempster’s death ; but he was not forgotten. She left a message, which Mira delivered with faltering voice, begging that it might be heeded.

"I will try to do better,” said the boy, for a moment realizing his danger. "I could, if—”

He did not finish the sentence, but sprang away, leaving his cousin to imagine what it might be.

He had taken " his chance with others ; ” and the temptations to evil were stronger than the influences against it. In school he had the reputation of being a brilliant scholar, yet his irregularities of conduct subjected him to frequent reprimand. Only sixteen, he drank, smoked, and swore like one of twice his age. Wine was always upon his uncle’s table ; while in the store, different brands of liquors, with their distinguishing flavors, were the constant theme of discusaunt dinah’s pledge.

sion. Here Albert was often complimented upon his discrimination in matters of which he should have been profoundly ignorant.

Despite all this, his guardian made no effort to stay his downward career. Mira’s pleadings were of no avail, and his father’s friends, living at a distance, knew little of him. Moreover, he had the ability to present so fair an exterior, when it suited his purpose, that one might be easily deceived in regard to his character. Sometimes, as he thought of the mother who had taught him to pray, his conscience smote him, and* he half resolved to reform ; but there was always some reason why reform was delayed.

As I have before said, his uncle made no effort to stay his course. If the boy lived five years, there would come a day of reckoning ; and it might not be convenient to deal with one clear-headed and independent. So low had Hiram Dempster fallen, that the thought of rendering up a fortune, to which he had not the slightest claim, filled him aunt dinah’s pledge.

with dismay. And this was not strange. The man who deals in that which incites to the vilest crimes, degrading human nature throughout the whole wide world, will seldom act justly in any relation.

For two years after the death of his wife Mr. Dempster kept the children with him. He then bought the cottage adjoining Dinah Freeman’s, fitted it up handsomely, and installed Mira as its mistress. Why he should have selected this place it would be difficult to tell, unless his daughter’s wishes influenced him. She fancied the situation, while its close proximity to her old friend made it seem more desirable.

Her father was willing to provide servants, but she preferred trusting to Aunt Dinah, in whose capabilities she had the utmost confidence. Here, for a time, she seemed to have escaped all the trials of life. Her brother and sister were too young to be the source of much anxiety; while, away from her father and Albert, she thought less of their wrong doings. She received many aunt dinah’s pledge.

kind attentions from those who had known her mother ; and, so far as her surroundings were concerned, she could not have been more pleasantly situated. Yet, when the first few months had passed in her country home, and she had leisure for reflection, the care and responsibility which had been thrown upon her seemed more than she could bear. For Oily she had no fears ; but Charley possessed a strong will, which sometimes asserted itself unpleasantly.

Aunt Dinah was then her only comforter ; and always the good woman bade her not to worry. " ’Pears like ’twill all come right in the end,” was her consoling assurance.

Sometimes Mira caught something of this cheerful faith, but frequently she wept and prayed in utter hopelessness.

Albert had visited her twice; but the place was not to his liking. He had lost all taste for quiet pleasures. Smoking seemed to be his only resource while here ; and this so annoyed Mira that she was glad when his visits were at an end. Now, he was coming aunt dinah’s pledge.

with her father, and she shrank from seeing either.

Thus far, in compliance with his daughter’s wishes, Mr. Dempster had placed no wine upon her table ; and for this she was grateful. Charley’s good had been considered in this, as in the request made to Aunt Dinah that she would brew no more beer.

"I know you will think me foolish,” said Mira to her humble friend. "Perhaps I am unreasonable, but I am afraid to have Charley taste it ; and this could hardly be avoided, if it was used in your family.”

" I know all ’bout it, chile,” said Aunt Dinah. " Spect my boys can drink cold water when they’re dry.”

Kufus was told the reason for this new order of things ; but Edgar had not learned it, until the evening he insisted upon knowing Hiram Dempster’s business.

As may be imagined, his brain was too active for sleep the following night. He had the clue to many things which had before seemed unaccountable; -and he lay wide

AUNT DINAH’S PLEDGE.

awake, thinking, until daylight streamed through the low window of his room.

His mother had been as wakeful as himself. Danger threatened her, and she must, in some way, avert it. She was fertile in expedients, sometimes reaching the desired end by a circuitous route ; but with her children she was frank and decided. If bitter medicine was to be taken she never sought to disguise it.

Her children were truthful and honest, regarding their word as sacred. She proposed now to bind them to a certain course of action, by a promise so strong they would not dare break it, under any circumstances. She had exacted but few promises from them during their lives ; but now the occasion seemed to warrant a departure from her usual custom.

When she reached the garden gate that morning, she turned, looking back to the house she had left. It contained three children whom she loved next to her own, but she might well be pardoned if at that mo-

AUNT DINAH’S PLEDGE.

ment she wished Hiram Dempster had never crossed her path. "A bad man,” she muttered through clenched teeth, and walked on.

Edgar soon made his appearance in the kitchen, she looking at him sharply. "Hope you slep’ well, chile,” she said.

" Guess I haven’t slept enough to hurt me,” was the reply, as he plunged his head into a basin of cold water.

"Well, chile, come home early to-night, and we’ll have a talk ’bout things.”

"I’ll come, as soon as my work is done,” replied Edgar. "I shan’t feel much like stopping to play.”

"Spect somethin’s the matter with that boy, else he’d whistle,” said Aunt Dinah, watching him as he strode away over the dew-laden grass. "Spect somethin’s the matter.”

It seemed to Rufus that his mother had never made so much noise about the stove as on that particular morning.

"What is the matter?” he asked.

aunt dinah’s pledge.

"Trouble cornin’,” was the laconic reply.

"Well, mother, let us wait till it comes, and then do the best we can. I thought you never borrowed trouble.”

" Spect I don’t, chile. It’s been sent.”

" But you said it was coming,” responded Rufus r cheerfully.

"Well, chile, I know all ’bout it, ’ready,” she answered, vigorously beating some eggs. "That man’s coming.”

."You mean Mr. Dempster, mother?”

" Spect I do ; and that boy’s cornin’ long too.”

"Well, mother, they can’t hurt us.”

"There, boy, can’t you say nothin’ else but that?” exclaimed Aunt Dinah, dropping into a chair, as though quite overcome by her feelings. " I know about that man ; he wants Edgar.”

"Well, mother, you have made sure of him. He is safe, after the promise he gave you last night.”

" There’s ways nuff to lead off a boy, and that boy knows ’em all. You’ll see.”

aunt binah’s pledge.

Rufus, seeing that his mother was inclined to he mysterious, wisely changed the subject ; but he gained little. Aunt Dinah was meditating, and, breakfast over, her son gladly betook himself to the shop.

Mira Dempster devoted the morning hours to teaching her brother and sister. In the afternoon they went up the hill to gather mosses, and entrap crickets, Charley being in high glee at his success. On his return, he told Rufus that there was no temptation in the tin cup; so the captives arrived safely.

The day passed ; its hours dragging slowly for the mother who thought and feared. Night came, and Edgar’s cheery whistle was heard. Charley ran down the walk, and, reaching up his hands, was placed upon a broad shoulder, where he rode triumphantly.

"Which way?” asked the carrier, as he stood by the garden gate.

" Please let Aunt Dinah see me,” answered Charley; and directly the good woman aunt dinah’s pledge.

threw up her hands in well-feigned astonishment, as the two stood before her.

Edgar sat down, with the child still perched upon his shoulder, but he soon exclaimed, " I must go home. Sister Mi is going to tell us a story, and I promised not to stop.”

" I wish somebody would tell me a story,” said Rufus.

" Sister Mi will tell you one,” was the artless reply. "She has been making up some.”

As Charley went out, Aunt Dinah seated herself in a large rocking-chair, with the air of one who has a disagreeable task to perform.

"Boys, I’ve been thinkin’ all day — ” Here she paused, as though waiting for some encouragement to proceed.

"I guess we have all been thinking,” responded Edgar. " I am sure I have ; and had some strange thoughts too.”

" What ’bout, chile ? ” asked his mother.

"About a good many things.”

aunt dinah’s pledge.

"I thought ’bout my children all day,” now said Aunt Dinah. "There’s trouble cornin’.”

"Don’t say that, mother. You are not sure of it,” urged Rufus.

" What is it ? ” asked Edgar.

" Spect I know ; and I must have ’nother promise.”

"Another ! ” cried both the sons, in astonishment.

"Yes, boys, ’nother ; ” and then, in broken words, this mother, with a clearness and decision of which many fairer women would be incapable, explained her position, and their own. In doing this, it was necessary to speak of many things, in regard to which she had before kept silence ; but she trusted the honor of her boys.

They had not yet been exposed to the seductions of intemperance ; and, so far as Rufus was concerned, there was little cause for anxiety in the future. Edgar would soon go out into the world, to meet temptation in every form. Moreover, there was aunt dinah’s pledge.

danger that temptation would assail him within the shadow of his home.

Aunt Dinah had no reason to complain of inattentive listeners. Her subject was one of interest, and her revelations startling.

" Now, boys, I’ve heard ’bout a pledge folks take,” she said, at length. "I don’t know nothin’ what ’tis, ’cept it’s a promise not to touch the cursed drink.”

"No danger of our doing that,” replied her youngest son. " We can’t even get a cup of beer.”

"Well, chile, you know all ’bout that now. Spect you can promise, can’t you?”

"But you haven’t any pledge. Write one, and I’ll sign it.”

" Hear dat boy ! ” exclaimed Aunt Dinah, in an indignant tone, covering her face as she thought of her ignorance.

Rufus looked at his brother, as though expecting an apology.

"I am sorry, mother. I had forgotten.”

This was sufficient. There was no time to linger over unimportant matters.

aunt dinah’s pledge.

After some further conversation, Kufus drew up a pledge, not unlike that of the Bands of Hope. It covered the whole ground, differing only in language.

" Put in the ’bacco,” said Aunt Dinah.

"No need of that,” responded Edgar. "I hate the dirty stuff any way ; ” hut his mother insisted.

" Now bless de good Lord,” she exclaimed, looking at the three signatures, against one of which she had placed her mark.