JIM BRADDOCK'S PLEDGE.
{"newspaper_name": "The Columbian fountain.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": "BY T. S. ARTHUR."}
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I" You'll sign it, Pam sure," said q, per-
severing Washingtonian, who had found his
way into little village grog-shop, and had
there presented the pledge to some three or
four of its half-intoxicated inmates. The
last man whom he addressed, after having
urged the others to no effect, was appa-
rently about thirty years Of age, and had a
sparkling eye, and good-humored conn-
tenance, that attracted rather than repelled.
The marks ofthe destroyer were however,
upon him, showing themselves with mel
ancholy distinctness.


aYou'll sign, Fam sure JIM"


90, OF course" replied the individual
addressed, winking, as he did SO to the
company, as much as to say" Don't you
want to see fun %


" Yes, but you will, l know 7"


aOf course will. Where's the docu-
ment ?"


" Here it. is, s,"-displaying sheet Of pa
per with sundry appropriate devices, upon
which was printed in conspicuous let
ters,


" We whose names-,"&c.


" That's very pretty, amt it., Ike ?" said
Jim, or James Braddock, with mock Sc
riousness of tone and manner.


90, yes-very beautiful"


Just see here,' ran on Jim, pointing
to the vignette over the pledge" Ths
spruce chap, swelled out with cold-water
until just ready to bust, and still pouring in
more, is our friend Malcom here, ] sup
pose."


A loud laugh followed this little hit
which seemed to the company exceedingly
humorous. But Malcolm took tall in good
part, and retorted by asking Braddock who
the wretched looking creature was with a
bottle in his hand, and three ragged chill
dren, and pale, haggard, distressed woman
following after him.


Another cold-water man, | suppose"
Jim Braddock replied; but neither his laugh
nor the laugh of his cronies was SO hearty
as before.


go. no. That's little mistake into
which you have fallen," Malcom said smi-
ling. g He is one Of your fire-water men.
Don't you see how he has been scorched
with il. inside and out. Now did you ever
see such miserable looking creature p
and his poor children and his wife -
But will say nothing about them. The
picture speaks for itself"


q Here's barrel, mount him up, and
let us have temperance speech'' cried
the keeper of the grog-shop, coming from
behind his counter, and mingling with the
group.


30, yes. - Give us temperance
speechp' rejoined Jim Braddock, not at
all sorry to get good excuse for giving up
his examination of the pledge, which had
revived in his mind some associations OF
not the pleasantest character in the world.


No objection at all, ,"replied the ready
ashingtonian, mounting the rostrum
which the tavern-keeper bad indicated, to
the no small amusement Of the company
and the great relief Of Jim Braddock, who
began to feel that the laugh was getting on
the wrong side Of his mouth, as be after.
wads expressed it.. bs,;.tr.s, \, sass,o, a...


. Now for some rare fun - CALCULATED
one Of the group that gathered around the
Iwhiskey-barrel upon which Malcom stood