58 THE TEMPERANCE MEETING

 

When remarks of this kind came to the
ears of Le Roy, which was frequently the
case, he felt highly gratified, and was sti-
mulated to increased efforts.

But the mechanic, with all his industry
and thrift, had one fault, and that a very
bad one, for it was a fault that increased
by indulgence. He would take his glass
occasionally; and would visit, at least two
or three times a week, the village tavern,
to meet a few acquaintances and talk over
the news. This habit troubled his wife,
who had, in her own family, seen and felt
the evil effects of intemperance, and shrank
with an instinctive fear from even the sha-
dow of the monster. Once or twice she
had hinted at the character of her feelings,
but the effect. produced on the mind of her
husband was surprise and displeasure. He
felt in no danger, and was hurt that his
wife could even dream of such a thing as
his falling into habits of intemperance.

At first, Le Roy’s visits to the tavern
were rarely oftener than once a week, and