man who had sunk
so low being reclaimed."

"Yes; all I've ever given that kind of people credit for doing, is to
get as many little ones into their meetings--Bands of Hope, don't they
call them?--and make them sign the pledge, and as soon as ever they get
to a sensible age, they find out how foolish they've been, and break all
their fine promises. And no wonder, for I don't know how people could
get on without their glass of ale or porter two or three times a day. I
couldn't for one."

"And I'm sure I should be lost without my pint at dinner and supper,"
echoed George, adding: "I guess we're the moderate drinkers teetotalers
rave about."

"Stuff and nonsense," answered Susan. "Why can't they abuse the
creatures who never know when they've had enough for their own good,
without wanting to take one of our necessary comforts from us, when we
pay our way, and are decent, respectable people?"

"That's just what I say, wife. Such folks have neither sense nor reason
on their side. But I can forgive them all their mistakes if they only
turn Tim Morris into a sober man."

"Well, sit down, George, and hold the baby, while I put the tea into the
pot. Go to father, mother's little pet;" and Susan Dixon placed the
well-cared-for baby on her father's knee, where, amidst delighted
screams and plunges, she speedily found congenial employment in burying
her fat dimpled hands in his masses of brown hair.

"There, there, Mattie, won't that do for you, little lass?" said he, as
he gave her back to her mother, crying with disappointment at the sudden
termination of her delightful frolic.

"She does get on well, mother," he added, looking with fatherly pride on
her rounded limbs and rosy cheeks.

"There's no earthly reason why she shouldn't, with all the care that's
taken of her. Oh dear! it makes my heart ache when poor Mrs. Morris
steps in here sometimes, with her sickly-looking child fretting in her
arms, and our Mattie looking so different; I'd rather bury her, George,
than see her like that."

"I tell you, Susan, I think that a man who ruins the health and
prospects of his wife and children ought to be treated as a felon, and
sent to prison until he'd learnt to behave himself as he ought;" said
George.

The conversation turned shortly after upon other matters, and presently,
baby being put to bed, the husband and wife settled down to their usual
pleasant evening; for never since his marriage, two years before, had
George