THE CHILDREN'S SUPPER.
HE'S such a little thing, papa; really it seems quite unnecessary to say anything about it to her for the next few years."
"Perhaps you are right, dear. Elsie will meet with no temptation at home, and a child of her tender years is scarcely likely to find it outside."
So said Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, when it had been proposed to introduce the subject of total abstinence to their youngest, a fairy child of six, and suggest to her that she should follow the example of her parents and brothers and sisters, who shortly before had pledged themselves to abstain from the use of intoxicating beverages.
"If we say anything to the dear child, it would be necessary to tell her why we consider it advisable to banish wine and ale from the house, and she would be perplexed and saddened by the insight afforded into misery and degradation of which she, at present, knows nothing. Her life is all sunshine now, and we have no right to disturb her childish happiness," added Mrs. Morgan.
So Elsie's little mind puzzled over the unrevealed reason of the absence from her father's table of the bottled ales and sparkling wines, the taste of which she had already learned to like.
A year passed away, and an invitation to a children's party was sent to Elsie, who forthwith became wild with excitement. A dainty creature she looked on the afternoon of the important day. Her golden curls softly floated over her blue merino dress, and her brown eyes flashed and glowed with delight.
"Mother's darling, good-bye! try and be a little lady, and nurse shall fetch you at nine o'clock," said the mother, as she pressed her child's coral lips, and then watched the little feet trip down the road beside the servant.
The hours, brimful of frolic and merriment, passed all too quickly for the happy children, and at eight o'clock they gathered in the dining-room for the early supper. The long table was covered with luxuries, and beside each child's plate was a small glass of wine.
"Now, dear children, make yourselves quite at home, and ask for anything you want," said the hostess, as her little guests took their places.
"May I have a glass of water, please?" asked an eight-year-old boy, soon after supper had commenced, pushing his glass of wine aside.
"Oh, my dear Charlie, I am sure you will like a glass of wine much better. Gentlemen always take wine, you know," replied the lady.
"I mus'n't take wine, please, because I belong to the Young Abstainers' Union," replied Charlie.
"Why, whatever kind of a Union is that, my boy?" asked the host.
"It means that those who join it have promised never to touch wine or anything of the kind."
"Stuff and nonsense! You'll never be a man unless you can drink a glass of wine with your friends."
Charlie coloured, but pushed his glass further away.
"Never mind, dear! our little friend's whims must not be interfered with. He will learn better when he is older," said the hostess, ordering a glass of water to take the place of the wine.
Elsie sat next to Charlie, and turning to her the host said:
"Now, Miss Elsie, you don't look as if you belonged to this army of youthful abstainers. Let us see how you can drink your wine; then you shall have the glass that Charlie despises."
Nothing loth, Elsie obeyed. She had never been allowed more than a sip or two from her father's glass, and it was many months since even that quantity had passed her lips. What wonder, then, that when supper was ended, and she tried to leave her seat, she should stumble and fall to the ground, overcome by her unwonted indulgence in the stimulant.
"Poor little Elsie! let me help you up," cried Charlie; but Elsie lay at his feet, and kicked and screamed in unaccountable anger. When at last she was picked up, her cheeks were purple with passion, and her eyes gleamed with a strange, wild light.
"The excitement has been too much for her, I suppose; but I am quite surprised at such a display of temper. She has always seemed so sweet and gentle," and the hostess hurried Elsie away to the waiting nurse.
"Miss Elsie, Miss Elsie, I am ashamed of you; whatever will your ma say?" expostulated the servant, as Elsie clung to her skirts and refused to say good-night.
"Papa, what is the matter with the child! I never saw her look so strange," exclaimed Mrs. Morgan, taking Elsie a few minutes later from her nurse's arms.
Mr. Morgan sat the child on his knee, and as he did so the fumes of wine met him.
"She has taken more wine than has been good for her; that is what is the matter with our little one!"
The horrified mother sank into a chair, but Elsie raised her dimpled hand and struck at her father, crying in a hoarse unnatural voice:
"I haven't, I haven't, you nasty papa! I didn't have half enough of the nice wine."
"That is quite sufficient; take her away, nurse, and put her to bed. I will talk to her to-morrow."
"We have made a great mistake, wife, and are reaping the consequences in seeing our six-year-old child inflamed with the stimulant which we have banished from our own home," said the father, as the door closed.
Mrs. Morgan wept, and made no reply.
Long and seriously did the parents talk to Elsie on the following day, who, easily influenced, as what child of her tender years might not be, listened with tears to the revelation of unknown dangers, and pleaded that she, like Charlie, might make such a promise as would save her childish feet from again being ensnared by the betrayer, and in the following years prove her safeguard and defence.
Mothers, who read this true story, will you not beware of the danger that threatens your little children, and learn that none are too young and fair to escape the toils of strong drink, unless guarded by an intelligent knowledge of the perils that beset them, and a resolve, early formed, never to touch or handle the treacherous cup?
