you've done wrong, well, there's time to turn over a new
leaf and do better; and now's your time. You see what the drink's
brought you to; and if you was to get another place to-morrow, you
wouldn't keep it long. There's no business as ever I heard of where the
masters advertise in the papers, `So many drunkards wanted for such a
work.' No, no, Jim; just you think the matter over, and pray to the
Lord to show you the right way. You know my `Surgery' at the back of my
house: you come up there to-night and have a talk with me; it's no use
trying to have it here. I think I'll show you a door as'll lead to
better ways, and better times; and you shan't want a good friend or two,
Jim, to give you a helping hand, if you'll only try, by God's help, to
deserve them."

Poor Jim's head had become bowed down on to his hands during this plain
speech, and the tears began to make their way through his fingers. Then
he stretched out one hand towards his visitor without lifting up his
head, and said, in a half-choked voice, "Thank you, Thomas; I'll come,
that I will,--I'll come; and thank you kindly for coming to look after
me."

And he kept his word. Just as it was getting dark a tap was heard at
Bradly's "Surgery" door, and James Barnes was admitted into a bright and
cheery room--such a marvellous contrast, in its neatness, order, and
cleanliness, to his own miserable dwelling. When the two men were
seated, one on either side of the fire-place--which was as brilliant as
Brunswick black and polishing could make it--Bradly began:--

"James Barnes, this night may be the turning-point for good and for
happiness, for you and yours, both for this world and the next. I want
you to sign the pledge and keep it. You've tried for a good long time
how you can do _with_ the drink--and a poor do it has been; now try how
you can do _without_ it. Never mind what old mates may say; never mind
what such as Will Foster and his set may say; never mind what your wife
may say,--she'll come round and join you if you're only firm,--just you
sign, and then we'll ask God to bless you, and to enable you to keep
your pledge."

"Thomas, I will," said James Barnes, much moved; "all as you've said's
perfectly true--I know it. The drink's been my curse and my ruin; it's
done me and mine nothing but harm; and I can see what doing without it
has been to you and yours. Give me the pen; I'll sign."

The signature was made, and then, while both men kne