helping you to keep your good resolution. Only, Mr. Gough, sign the
pledge, and all will be as I have said; ay, and more, too!"

Oh! how pleasantly fell these words of kindness and promise on my
crushed and bruised heart. I had long been a stranger to feelings such
as now awoke in my bosom; a chord had been touched which vibrated to
the tone of woe. Hope once more dawned; and I began to think, strange
as it appeared, that such things as my friend promised me might come to
pass. On the instant I resolved to try, at least, and said to the
stranger:

"Well, I will sign it."

"When?" he asked.

"I cannot do so to-night," I replied, "for I must have some more drink
presently, but I certainly will to-morrow."

"We have a temperance meeting to-morrow evening," he said; "will you
sign it then?"

"I will."

"That is right," said he, grasping my hand; "I will be there to see
you."

"You shall," I remarked, and we parted.

I went on my way much touched by the kind interest which at last some
one had taken in my welfare. I said to myself: "If it should be the