s has influenced my opinion on the subject to a greater
extent, perhaps, than any other, and really, I'm glad Miss De Wolf
favors total abstinence; I hope she will convert you."

"Never, my friend. I shall always adhere to the principle that a man
is capable of controlling his appetite, within the bounds of reason.
Let a man but _will_ to drink moderately, and he can."

"But, Ned, a person seldom _wills_ to drink moderately, but ends by
_willing_ to drink immoderately. Now in such cases what becomes of
your theory?"

"The fact is, Doctor, you and I have so often discussed the subject,
that I believe there is nothing new left to be said, on either side. I
wish Hank Glutter was here, and he would show you in five minutes, why
we should not deprive ourselves of the gifts of Providence, simply
because others have abused them."

"I pity a drunkard, Ned," said the Doctor, very quietly, "but I
despise a drunkard-maker, and the less conversation I have with one
of that class, the better."

The color quickly mounted to Edward's face, but a loud knock at the
door suspended his reply.

"Come in," said the Doctor, and in stalked daddy.

"'Tween you and me, Mr. Sherman," said he, approaching Edward, "the
honey has sent you a letter; here it is."

Edward received the letter with a mixture of surprise and pleasure,
which he could not conceal.

Unfolding it with nervous haste, he ran his eye over the few brief
lines. "Good heavens!" he exclaimed, starting to his feet, "Bloody Jim
is at Chimney Rock again."

Daddy sprang forward, with dilated eyes and open mouth, and fastened
his grip upon Edward, who comprehended in an instant why the old man
had not been apprized of the nature of his errand, and he resolved on
returning him to his former state of blissful ignorance.

"Let me see; have I made a mistake?" said he, again looking over the
letter, "Bloody Jim is not at Chimney-Rock, after all."

"'Tween you and me, what made you think he was?" said daddy, whose
panic began to subside.

"O, I saw his name, and took it for granted he was there. I did not
quite make out what was said."

"The billet was writ in a hurry, Mr. Sherman; you must excuse it. The
honey is the most distinctest writer I knows on. She got a wonderful
edication down thar, in New York; 'tween--

"Miss DeWolf wants me to go to Chimney Rock immediately," said Edward,
arresting the words on the lips of his garrulous visitor.

"Sartain, I know'd it."

"