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PEOPLE'S VOLUME 1.) TIE PEOPLE S FRIEND. PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY MORNING BY A. 8. 8. MOSELEY, ROME, GA. JSTJBSCTIIJE’TION, Ohe year in advance ------- $2.00 A JD VERT IS INGr, One square, first insertion - - - - SI.OO Subsequent insertion, each - . - • 50 Liberal contracts made for six or twelve months ad yertlsements. TO DRINK; OR, . NOT TO DRINK. EY MARGIE P. MOSELEY. To the author of “Soundings,” Mrs. Lide Meriwether, as a slight token of love for her disinterested, womanly sympa thy and her unswerving truthfulness, and in admiration of her brilliant ge nius, this story is dedicated. CHAPTER XIII. f J MT EVEBAL weeks f ,^'Jw had parsed since Ed ward introduced Rich ard Steel to his betrothed. Not a week had elapsed in which the two young men had failed to call at Gray’s mansion. And although Edward was not aware of itJdr'hard St'cl was there .HiiM'nijliiiWWr- voted by both, to that pleasure. Need we tell the reader that young Steel was deeply enamored of Alice. He had told her so many times, and press ed his wuit with an ardor in keeping with his character. Alice quietly laughed at him, for she disliked the “formal dismissal,” which would hence forth render them unfriendly; hence Steel, pratendod to believe himself, and was hopeful of suc cess crowning his wishes, when, as he expressed it, “hei’ vanity was satisfied with coqueting.” Was it so? Did she hold , .Ipm at a distance only to make him moYo afdent, or was she true to her vows spoken bemde the river? Steel knew of Edwards en gagement to Alice, and was careful to say nothing before him, which might be calculated to awaken a suspicion of his own feelings for the heiress. This was treachery to his friend, injustice he knew, but then, he was accustomed to satisfy his conscience with the old ad age: “All things are fair in love and war.” It is an adage, which like a thousand others, has falsehood for its foundation, and Steel knew it; yet he practised it to the farthest extent. He had commenced business, immcdiate ately after he graduated in the city where Alice lived. He bought out a fine drug store which had an old es tablished run of custom, and com menced with every prospect of suc cess. Edward went halves in the pur chase, and they were to be partners. Mrs. Clayton remonstrated at first, but Edward insisted, and Steel laughed at his being ‘led about by the nose by a wo man,* as he sneeringly expressed his no tions of Mrs. Clayton’s solicitude, until Edward told his adopted mother, that if she refused his wishes on the subject, he would “take bis valise and go West" To say that Mrs. Clayton was “shock - ed” at this announcement, would by no means express her feelings. The ROME, GEORGIA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1873. conversation occurred shortly after Edward’s return from college, as he sat on the verandah, talking with her, after tea. Steel, who was spending the holidays with Edward, had gone down town, and left his schoolmate well posted as to the role he was to play. Edward felt he was doing wrong, but with an assumed earnest ness, he went over the whole conversa tion, until the threat about the ‘west’ came in. His heart beat very fast as he assumed, for the first time to play dictator to the woman who had raised and educated him, and whom he knew to be be as far above himself, and the man he was obeying, in intellect and morals, as the heavens above the earth, yet he did as he was bidden, insulted her, by this threat. She was “only a woman,” what right had she to be bringing him under subjection ? Ho would not submit any longer to be the sneer, and laughing stock of all men! ” Thus thought thd youth as he closed his lips after his threat had been spo ken, and with the reflection, attempt ed to nerve himself to combat any ar gument which Mrs. Clayton might advance. 5 Several minutes of Silence followed Edward)* threat. The sad gray eyes of the mother looked searchingly into the averted face of the son. Then she said: “Edwayd, are you ehtirely aware of the full import of your words, and do you really mean what you say?” “Roth madjm,” he answered, hanght ily, “if I am a man, let me go among men, and 1 as men do; not be forever wasting my time away geminate pursuits! I im s!ck of forever under survilian.ee like •• a gm; I am a man. and know Imv. ' Ti I’m L halo any money, I want it, to invest how and where I please; of course, I w ould, rather you approved!” he added, glancing at the noble face which was pale and quivering with feeling. Mrs. Clayton did not speak immedi ately. She was struggling for compos ure, for a full comprehension of the situation. Was this the boy she had taken from the streets, the youth she had educated, the companion, who sought no higher enjoyment than the pleasures of his mother’s home, and sooiety, the young man whom she had recommended so highlp to Alice Gray, as the “most perfect man she had ever known?” Alas, for human expecta tions! The mother had found her idol was of base clay, and her heart was paralyzed. She arose from her chair, placed her hand upon his head, her other hand under his chin, and raising the face, looked steadily into his eyes and said: “Is this my son, who speaks?” “Oh, pshaw! I want to know* what you’re going to do about that money;” he said pushing her hand from his brow. I can’t stay here much longer; I have an engagement down town, and should like to know before I go.” This was too much. Mrs. Clayton was a proud woman, as well as a loving and tender mother; stepping back she said: “Edward, I have warned you of that young man Steel. In colletre you have lost much of that loftiness, and purity of character upon which you were want to pride yourself; you might regain it by associidiou with good young men, but Richard Steel is not of that tyjx*. I h.-uj, jit that with the training which I gave you, I might trust you among the vicious, without fear; hut the hope was 1 delusive. Still there -ie a ohanc , tor you my son;* will you my adJMe, ulvindbh that fixing man’s *Deiety and go into another kind us business; or rather take the money which I will give you; invest it in real estate; consumaie your mar riage, and go to practicing medicine?” “No madam, I cannot do as you ad vise, because I am already committed to the purchase of this property, and I cannot get out of it.” “This commital can be easily done away with, and no hard feelings eith er, if I only tell Mr. Dolgreen my rea sons,” said Mrs. Clayton earnestly;” and to save you Edward, I will go and do it to-morrow.” “I have given my word to Steel, and when a man gives his word, he likes to stand to it like a man!” said Edward angrily ' “Then you refuse to me?” I only refuse to break my Steel. If you see proper to withhold the funds, I shall, ™ I said go west to seek my for turn-. I have an engagement. I hope 4 you will excuse my non-appearanco in the mtp ic-room this evening!” and seizing I.ls hat, he bowed, and left the house. ’Tis useless to try to depict Mrs. Clayton’s feelings upon the denounce ment of the conversation. Thousands of mothers have endured similar ones, they can picture without my aid, and others would only think the picture overdrawn, if it were drawn at all; therefore, I leave it to the imagination, and give a glimpse of the yom_g man who was chafiing under the rule of his , pqre mother, a rule bought him only good and honor, but which Steel had taught him to hate and to denominate “petycoat government.” He was emancipating himself from but -was he aware that he was \uled by the man who was always pr dj/jg rM offreeA,m?. Edward wJhld have resented such an insinuation, as an insult; yet it was the ti uth. When he reached the hotel where Steel promised to await the result of his conversation with his mother, the youth saluted him with “well old fellow all’s right, I suppose, step down here, and let us talk it over,” he seized Ed ward’s arm, and they walked on to gether. “I say,” he continued, “she didn’t refuse you?” “Well, no!” “That’s good, I thought the going west’ would bring her to terms. When do you get the money ?” “I can’t say exactly!” “Can’t say,” exclaimed Steel stop ping short and looking surprised and disgusted. “I thought that was what you stayed for.” “It was,” responded Edward depreciatingly, “and I carried out the programme to the letter, but it is uncertain how she will decide; that however is not my fault, I; did my best.” “Best, indeed, what does tiiat amount to, unless we succeed? But;” he add*' 1, (noticing that his friend would hot hear much more) ‘“come, let us go down to the Diamond and talk it over!” “The Diamond! I can’t, and I will not visit such a place, Steel! I have been raised in this city, and it has i been a proud boast of mine, and of mother’s, that I have never entered a i saloon, or any other building, to which ; I would, not carry my mother or a young lady, and pardon mes, I intend to keep to my past in this respect! I did go astray at college, and am suffi ciently lowered, in my own opinion by it, but I can’t afford to do so here where my mother and the woman who is to be my wife, both reside! It would be an unpardonable insult to them 1” “Ha! ha! hahpetty-coat government! well Clayton, any boarding school miss, any bread-and-butter ih-molseile of the period is less old-mtudiwh than you are! If this is your programme, it is useless for us to go into business or anywhere else together! Why, I want a comrade who is a mtm, one who has a little dash and vim about him, one who can interest me, you are too pious, too pious entirely! I advise you to put on corsets and petty coats at once! if you won’t go, good night. Yonder comes a crowd of boys bound for the diamond, and I will go with them, for I know there’s fun up as sure as you’re born!” Edward’s face was confused and doubtful. Steel saw it, and said: “I see some fellows of bad repute in that crowd, so if you are too immaculate to be seen with them, and will go, we can go alone, and have a table, or roor by ourselves, where we can spend a pleasant evening, talk over our affairs, and still not be caught in had compa ny. Come Ed. old fellow, I like you and I don’t want you to do anything wrong, but I would like to see you enjoy innocent and harmless pleasures. You can do this without any harm to your mother, your sweetheart or your self, aud if I were you, I would not let any woman make a slave of me, and it is slavery, for to deny yourself every manly pleasure for the whims of the other sex!” Edward was not convinced, but he whs silenced, and taking the arm of his companion, he said; “come along, bnt reiaeiviber, I am pvrns><wd to drink- .‘ * • mg. ‘‘And I respect your views;” an sw ered Steel with a glance of admira tion on his face, “I too, am opposed to any thing like excess, in any pleas ure; but at the same time, lam an advocate of innooe' fyul degajd pleasures!” As they entered the saloon, they were greeted by the “best young men” of the city. There seemed to be a kind of festival in one of the back rooms, and to this, Edward and Steel were immediately invited by a minis ter’s son, one of the moral young men of the city. Clayton looked enquiringly at Steel, and the latter said; “All right here he is a preachers son, of course we will accept!” “Thank you Rush, we had a little business on hand, but we will sacrifice it for. the pleasure of your society,” saidjEdward, recovering hisfusual equa nimity. Rush then turned and pre sented the two to the twelve young men who were his companions. After the usual compliments upon such oc casions, Rush turned and led his party to the room which had been prepared for the occasion, and here we leave Edwurd fearing that he will be called on before the night is over, to decide whether it is best ‘to drink, or not’to drink!’ (TO BE CONTINUED.) a—— - - Senator Scott was talking to a Penn sylvania Sunday School a /Sunday or two ago, and asked the scholars why I Simon was kept in prisin. < )n® of the ; teachers quietly prompted a boy to say lit was for hostage, and the youth, not I qu te catching the words, piped out: i “He was detained for postage.” ‘ An exchange says: The Turks have i ,; tt!e need of newspapers. When uny thieg happeift* it to the worn* and circulates like air in a gale of wind. . The Turks are behind the Westerti na i ons in many tilings, but certainly I they have the most beautiful circula . : “g medium in the world.* Practically disregarding an avowed • most effectual way of tte deimining it FRIEND. Tlie Duty of Good Template Messrs. Editors: —Will you permit me to make a few suggestions relative to the duties of Good Templars ? 1. In some lodges it seems from all appearances that some of the mem bers act as if there was nothing to do except to meet and adjourn, and after that there is nothing more. Now to my own mind this is a very great mis take, and if all our members would be sure to meet at the regular times of 1 meeting, and instruct and encourage each other in regard to the most effect” ual means to be used in order to pros perity and success, we would certainly accomplish more good than we do. 2. Let us consider our lodge as so many camps of instruction, where we should meet in order to drill and equip ourselves so we may be prepared to meet the enemy -where he may be found; that we have a hand to hand conflict, and if we are properly drilled and equipped we will as certainly succeed as we use the proper means. > That is, we should always remember that our weapons are not carnal, but mighty. Then let us use the weapoji of truth with mildnets, and lovewitn sincerity,,, and patience with hope. Let ns take the poor inebriate by tne hand and lift him up from his pit of woe, and endeavor to bind up his de sponding heart, pouring in the oil and wine of love, sympathy and friendship, and, if possible, make him believe that you are his Triend, and that he has the deepest syi ipathies of your heart, and you may expect to accomplish good. Talk to him mildly, persuasively and earnestly, and endeavor to make him iteel that you t/re his Mend in very deed. 3. Brethren, it will.not do for us to use hard words to the pooiv drunkard. If we ever gain him, it will be through deep earnest porsuasiveness. And sb, also with the saloon man.- If you af fect him for good, it will be through ksndness. Talk to him as arn jpbbor, : a frit >5 i, r, * i hi'oLii*r, don’t xU-c Tuhsu, abusive language to him, nor about him or his business. Only let him know that you oppose it from princi ple, and be sure not to abuse hfs whis key or brandy, for this will do good, and have a tendency to incense him; which of course will certainly drive him in his feelings so far from you will not be able to effect any good in bis behalf. Let us, therefore, put on the whole armor, and keep it bright by using it aright; and remember that an armor is always to be worn in front, so the face may be constantly toward the sac enemy, remembering too, that there is no armor for the rear, and if we turn our backs on the enemy we are siu-e to be wounded, and a good soldier would be ashamed to be woun ded in the back. R. H. Jonhz. * —Good Templar. Maple sugar as an article of merchandise is in a fairway of extinction. The maple forests of New England are being yearly cut down and converted into broom hand les. Thousands of splendid trees, mon archs of the woods, which have for a gen eration yielded full quotas of sweet sap, are annually felled. At the present rate of destraction, maple sugar and maple broom handles will, before long, be un known in trade. — Scientific American. To comprehend a man’s life, it is ne cessary to know not merely what he does but also what he purposely leaves undone. There is a limit to the work that can be, got of a human brain and he is a wise man who wastes no energy on pursuits for which he is not fitted and he is still wiser who, from among the things that he can do well chooses and resolutely follws the best. Vfe read that Dives, who, being in torment, begged that his friends might be saved from such a fate. Last year out of 1,020 convicts in the Illinois Penitentiary, 950 signed a petition to the Legislature, stating that intoxica ting drink brought them there, and appealing to the Legislature to .stop such a trafic. A Connecticut fisherman one day baited his hook with a frog. After patiently Waiting some time for a bite as he chatted with a friend- he found that his lively bait ;had swam ashore, and was quietly sitting Jona rockby Lis side. He wound up his line and went home. (NUMBER 29