“Yes,” replied Ben; “and by the time they come to have discretion (as Uncle Isaac says), they have formed the habit, and half of them die drunkards. Everybody can see what rum has done for poor Mr. Yelf. How many times I’ve heard my father and mother tell what good times they used to have going there visiting; how well they lived; and that the house was full of everything! and now to think, that the week before he died he sold his axe for rum.
“I’ve heard Uncle Isaac, a number of times within a year, talk about drinking, in what I thought a strange way, and as he never did before. I don’t believe he has done this without thinking about it a good while: the promise won’t do the boys any hurt.”
“That’s very true,” replied Sally; “for last summer, when Mr. Hanson’s barn was raised, the York and Pettigrew boys, mere children, got hold of the spirit that was brought for the raising, and were as drunk as fools; some laughed, but mother said she thought it was an awful sight.”
“I must needs say,” continued Ben, “when I saw old Mrs. Yelf, who has suffered so much from liquor, and is so destitute, bring it on to treat the mourners, and old Jonathan Smullen (who is going as fast as he can in the same way as Yelf) drink it, it kind of went against my feelings. I couldn’t help thinking that money had better have gone for food and clothing.”
“I suppose she thought she must.”
“That’s what makes me think the whole thing is wrong—that a poor creature must spend her last penny to treat her friends.”
CHAPTER XIX.
FRED’S SAND-BIRD PIE.
The next morning, having despatched their breakfast, they sat down under a tree, which, being on high ground, afforded a good position from which to judge of the weather. The question as to how they should spend the day, came up.
“It’s going to be a splendid day,” said Fred; “and I, for one, will tell you what I should like to do. You know I like those scrapes where there’s something good to eat.”