finished. He ran out upon the sidewalk, and Aunt Stanshy followed.

"Do come, do come," pleaded Charlie, as he seized Will's hand and gently
drew him toward the church.

"Yes, yes," said Aunt Stanshy, "We all want you."

And Will Somers irresolutely yielded to the gentle hands that were drawing
him, and entered the church.

What a meeting that was!

"Never seed the beat of it in my life," said Simes Badger, who was off
duty at the lighthouse that night, and having attended the meeting,
reported it soon after to a band of his old cronies. "Why, when the pledge
was offered that meetin', it seemed as if every man, woman, and child
would go for it at once. No matter if they was as innocent of liquor as a
baby a day old; they jest walked up and took that pledge. And Dr. Tilton,
he couldn't stand it, and he hopped down and he jined the pledge. And his
clerk, that Will Somers, he did write his name handsome. O, it was a
meetin', I tell ye!"

Yes, it was a memorable evening. Dr. Tilton and Will Somers kept their
word faithfully, and society recognized the fact and liberally patronized
the doctor's store, afterward.

"Got a new 'pothecary in our town," said Simes Badger. "At any rate, he's
good as new, and new things draw. A 'pothecary can do amazin' sight of
harm if he aint jest the right sort of man in his business."