“Indeed, then, and I won’t,” retorted that individual, “I’m not going to lend a stick to break my own head.”

“O, never mind, young man, I can supply pen and ink,” said the stranger, drawing forth a pocket inkstand.

Alfred eagerly seized the pen that was offered to him, and instantly subscribed the total abstinence pledge.

“Another fool caught!” sneered one.

“Ha! ha! ha!  What a ridiculous farce!” chimed in another.

“He’ll be rolling in the gutter before three days, feeling upwards for the ground,” added a third.

“Why, I don’t believe he can see through a ladder now;” the first speaker said, with his contemptuous sneer.  “Look here, mister,” to the stranger who had appeared so opportunely.  “This is all gammon!  He’s been fooling you.”

“Come along, my friend,” was all the stranger said, drawing his arm within that of the penitent young man, as he did so,—­“this is no place for you.”

And the two walked slowly out, amid the laughter, sneers, and open ridicule of the brutal company.  Once again in the open air, Alfred breathed more freely.

“O, sir,” he said, grasping the hand of the individual who had appeared so opportunely—­“you have saved me from my last temptation, into which I was led so naturally, that I had not an idea of danger.  If I had fallen then, as I fear I should have fallen but for you, I must have gone down, rapidly, to irretrievable ruin.  How can I express to you the grateful emotions that I now feel?”

“Express them not to me, young man,” the stranger said, in a solemn voice; “but to him, who in his merciful providence, sent me just at the right moment to meet your last extremity.  Look up to him, and, whenever tempted, let your conscious weakness repose in his strength, and no evil power can prevail against you.  Be true to the resolution of this hour—­to your pledge—­to those who have claims upon you, for such, I know there must be, and you shall yet fill that position of usefulness in society, which no one else but you can occupy.  And now let me advise you to go home, and ponder well this act, and your future course.  No matter how dark all may now seem, light will spring up.  If you are anxious to walk in a right path, and to minister to those who have claims upon you, the way will be made plain.  This encouragement I can give you with confidence; for twelve months ago, I trembled on the brink of ruin, as you have just been trembling. I was once a slave to the same wild infatuation that has held you in bondage.  Hope, then, with a vigorous hope, and that hope will be a guarantee for your future elevation!”

And so saying, the stranger shook the hand of Alfred heartily, and, turning, walked hastily away.