N. B.--None but Teetotallers need come here."
Now every one knew Toal too well not to understand this; for the truth
is, that maugre his sign, he never refused his meal or other goods to
any one that had money to pay for them.
One evening about this time, Art was seated in his own parlor--for he
now had a parlor, and was in a state of prosperity far beyond anything
he had ever experienced before--Margaret and the children were with him;
and as he smoked his pipe, he could not help making an observation or
two upon the wonderful change which so short a time had brought about.
"Well, Margaret," said he, "isn't this wondherful, dear? look at the
comfort we have now about us, and think of--; but troth I don't like to
think of it at all."
"I never can," she replied, "without a troubled and a sinkin' heart;
but, Art, don't you remember when I wanst wished you to become a
Teetotaller, the answer you made me?"
"May be I do; what was it?"
"Why, you axed me--and you were makin' game of it at the time--whether
Teetotallism would put a shirt or a coat to your back--a house over your
head--give you a bed to lie on, or blankets to keep you and the childre
from shiverin', an' coughin', an' barkin' in the could of the night?
Don't you remember sayin' this?"
"I think I do; ay, I remember something about it now. Didn't I say that
whiskey was my coach an' my carriage, an' that it made me a lord?"
"You did; well, now what do you say? Hasn't Teetotallism bate you in
your own argument? Hasn't it given you a shirt an' a coat to your back,
a good bed to lie on, a house over your head? In short, now, Art, hasn't
it given you all you said, an' more than ever you expected? eh, now?"
"I give in, Margaret--you have me there; but," he proceeded, "it's not
every man could pull himself up as I did; eh?"
"Oh, for God's sake, Art, don't begin to put any trust in your own mere
strength, nor don't be boasting of what you did, the way you do; sure,
we ought always to be very humble and thankful to God for what he has
done for us; is there anything comes to us only through him?"
"I'm takin' no pride to myself," said Art, "divil a taste; but this I
know, talk as you will, there's always somethin' in the ould blood.
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