"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?