so unusual, and so entirely unexpected
that I questioned the reality of it, but so it was. It was the first
touch of kindness which I had known for months; and simple and trifling
as the circumstance may appear to many, it went right to my heart, and
like the wing of an angel, troubled the waters in that stagnant pool of
affection, and made them once more reflect a little of the light of
human love. The person who touched my shoulder was an entire stranger.
I looked at him, wondering what his business was with me. Regarding me
very earnestly, and apparently with much interest, he said:

"Mr. Gough, I believe?"

"That is my name," I replied, and was passing on.

"You have been drinking to-day," said the stranger, in a kind voice,
which arrested my attention, and quite dispelled any anger at what I
might otherwise have considered an officious interference in my affairs.

"Yes, sir," I replied. "I have----"

"Why do you not sign the pledge?" was the next query.

I considered for a moment or two, and then informed the strange friend
who had so unexpectedly interested himself in my behalf that I had no
hope of ever again becoming a sober man, and that I was without a
single friend in the world who cared for me; that I fully expected to
die very soon, cared not how soon, or whether I died drunk or sober,
and, in fact, that I was in a condition of utter recklessness.

The stranger regarded me with a benevolent look, took me by the arm,
and asked me how I should like to be as I once was, respectable and
esteemed, well clad, and sitting as I used to, in a place of worship;
enabled to meet my friends as in old times, and receive from them the
pleasant nod of recognition as formerly; in fact, become a useful
member of society?

"Oh," I replied, "I should like all these things first-rate; but I have
no expectation that such a thing will ever happen. Such a change
cannot be possible."

"Only sign our pledge," remarked my friend, "and I will warrant that it
will be so. Sign it, and I will introduce you myself to good friends,
who will feel an interest in your welfare and take a pleasure in
helping you to keep your good resolution. Only, Mr. Gough, sign the
pledge, and all will be as I have said; ay, and more, too!"

Oh! how pleasantly fell these words of kindness and promise on my
crushed and bruised heart. I had long been a stranger to feelings such
as now awoke in my bosom; a chord had been touched which vibrated