ed, after taking a seat, "that they've been
at me every road to try and get me back, badgering, chaffing,
threatening, and coaxing: it's strange what pains they'll take as is
working for the devil. But it wouldn't act. Well, three or four nights
ago, when I got home from my work, I found two bottles on my table.
They was uncorked; one had got rum, and the other gin in it. Now, I
won't say as my mouth didn't water a bit, and the evil one whispered
`Just take a glass;' but no, I wasn't to be done that way, so I lifts up
a prayer for strength, and just takes the bottles at once out into the
road, and empties them straight into the gutter. There was some looking
on as would let the enemy know. So to-night, as smooth ways wouldn't
act, they've been trying rough 'uns. Four of my old mates, Ned Taylor
among 'em, watches when my missus went off to the shop, and slips into
the kitchen where I was sitting. They'd brought a bottle of rum with
them, and began to talk friendly fashion, and tried might and main to
get me to drink. But I gave the same answer--I'd have none of it. Then
one of them slipped behind my chair, and pinned me down into it, and Ned
Taylor tried to force my mouth open, while another man held the bottle,
ready to pour the rum down my throat. But just then our little Bob,
seeing how roughly they were handling me, bolted out into the street,
screaming, `They're killing daddy! They're killing daddy!' So the
cowardly chaps, seeing it was time to be off, took to their heels, all
but Ned Taylor. He'd taken the bottle of rum from the man as held it,
and he took and poured it all down my coat and waistcoat, and said, `If
you won't have it inside, you shall have it out;' and then he burst out
into a loud laugh, and went after the rest of them. If you examine my
clothes, Thomas, you can see as I'm telling the truth. However, they've
just been and cut their own throats, for they've only made me more
determined than ever to stick to my tee-totalism."

"All right, Jim," said the other cheerfully; "they've outwitted
themselves. I've an old coat and waistcoat as I've nearly done with,
but they've got a good bit of wear in them yet. They'll just about fit
you, I reckon. You shall go back in them, and keep them and welcome,
and we'll make these as they've spoilt a present to the dunghill. I
only wish all other bad habits, and more particularly them as comes
through rum, brandy, and such like, could be cast away