ver," and she glanced archly at her brother, "I
should then have lost the opportunity of eavesdropping, and
consequently of giving in my testimony in favor of my future
sister-in-law."

"Thank you, I suppose you obtained your information of my future
brother-in-law."

"No matter how I got it, but I'm fully prepared to prove that the
young lady's principles are severely 'touch not, taste not, handle
not.' We have a great work before us, Ned, for they will not easily be
persuaded to our opinions I can assure you."

"I do not wish to influence my friends to think just as I do," said
Edward, proudly.

"Well, somehow you have managed to make me think as you do, for you
know I was once as strict as mother."

"I hope you have not changed your views on my account, Louise."

"No, not exactly, Ned, yet, I must confess, your arguments have had
great weight with me."

"I would advise you to reconsider, and think independently," said
Edward rather sharply.

Louise was silent, and Mrs. Sherman now seized the opportunity to
change the topic to one more intimately connected with their future
plans and prospects. In this the attention of the trio was absorbed
until towards evening, when they were interrupted by the doctor's well
known knock.

The doctor looked pale and worn, and, as he seated himself, Edward
remarked, "you look tired doctor."

"Yes, I _am_ tired," replied the doctor, "I am tired of the world, or
rather I am tired of the way we are living in it. I have had an
aggravated case of delirium tremens on my hands this afternoon, and I
wish every liquor seller in Pendleton could have looked in upon that
distressed family. A young and interesting wife, and several small
children were compelled to witness a scene of suffering, the horrors
of which were truly appalling."

"It is strange," said Edward, "that men will make such beasts of
themselves."

"It is strange," said the doctor, "that if men have no hearts of pity,
that we can not have laws to prevent the sale of the poison."

"But, doctor, men are not compelled to buy it."

"But, Sherman, men _will_ buy it, and will drink it, the proof of
which is before us every day we live. These temperance societies are
no doubt most of them useful to society, but they do not deal the
death-blow to the monster. Nothing but the law can do that. I know
your opinion, Sherman, but in the name of humanity, what are we to
do?"

"Why, doctor, we shall have to let men kill the