Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1877 — Am Infantile Temperance Speaker. [ARTICLE]

Am Infantile Temperance Speaker.

In Its report of a mass meeting of the Bed Ribbon temperance workers in Detroit, the Free Prm , of that city, contains the following boy-effort: i; Master Gordon, aged eight years, a son of Henry Gordon, made a speech, of which the following is a verbatim report: “ My pa does not feel able to speak this evening, and he wishes me to say S few words. Of coarse, you can’t expect mnch of a speech from a little fellow like me, but I will tell you why I ton here to-night. “ I have a little brother at home. The other night my pa said: * Boys, which of you will take my place and work for temperance?* I jumped up and said: ‘I will, pa!’ And lam here to team. “lam but a boy, but I have seen many cases of drunkenness—many of them sd bad that it has made poor mother weep. I don’t want to do anything to make my ma cry, and I know if I drink strong drink it will hring tears to her eyes, “I have come among those good .people who axe doing so much for little fellows likema. I have come to show my red ribbon. [Applause.] The kiqdhand of rood Mr, Duffield tied it in mr little button-hole. I feel very proud of it. [Cheers.] My pa says it Is toe emblem of sobriety, and he knows. I shall pray that it will remain there always. Come, gentlemen, and sign toe pledge.” This childish effort waa veiy effetual, and when the little chap retired a largo number accepted his invitation and affixed thsir names to the pledge, —Husbaads and fathers will be pleased to learn that “ small checks” are to be fashionable for silks next summer. ....