For John's Sake and Other Stories.   By: Annie Frances Perram

[Illustration: Frontispiece.

"Ruth advanced to the table, and with trembling hands put her full glass down." Page 4. ]

FOR JOHN'S SAKE

AND OTHER STORIES.

BY

ANNIE FRANCES PERRAM.

Author of "That Boy Mick," "Go Work," "The Opposite House," &c.

[Illustration]

LONDON: WESLEYAN METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION 2 AND 3 LUDGATE CIRCUS BUILDINGS; 2 CASTLE STREET, CITY ROAD, E.C.

PREFACE.

IT is probable that many of these pages may be read with the comforting conviction that the scenes they depict and the lives they lightly sketch, in no way come within the range of possibility; but to any reader so little acquainted with the snares and perils, the misery and degradation that lay outside the pale of Total Abstinence, the assurance is tendered that the darkest pictures contained in this collection of stories are minutely faithful to life, and that the saddest incidents related have occurred under the personal observation, or within the knowledge of the writer.

A. F. P.

CONTENTS.

FOR JOHN'S SAKE.

Page

CHAPTER I. AFRAID FOR HERSELF 1

" II. JOHN'S BROTHER 9

" III. HOPES AND FEARS 15

" IV. QUITE UNLIKE HIMSELF 21

" V. A CHANGE OF OPINIONS AND OF HOUSEMAIDS 28

" VI. THE NEW HOUSEMAID 35

" VII. THE FATE OF RUTH'S LETTER 42

" VIII. A HAPPY ENDING 47

HOW THE FOE CREPT IN.

CHAPTER I. MODERATE DRINKING 56

" II. ITS RESULTS 63

THE COMMITTEE'S DECISION 80

THE RIGHT HAND THAT OFFENDED 85

"OUT OF THE WAY" 99

TIM MALONEY'S PIG 109

THE MOTHER'S MISTAKE 119

THE CHILDREN'S SUPPER 129

ROLAND WEST'S MARK 134

HOW A HUSBAND WAS LOST AND FOUND 146

DOWNWARD STEPS 170

HOW JARVIS WAS SAVED 178

WHY THE ANGELS REJOICED 185

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FOR JOHN'S SAKE.

CHAPTER I.

AFRAID FOR HERSELF.

"I SAY, John."

"Well, Ruthie."

"Master's just rung, and he says he wants you and me to come upstairs together."

"What for, I wonder! Don't look so troubled, little woman;" and John, the well built, broad shouldered gardener, looked up with an unmistakable glance of affection at the somewhat clouded face of Ruth, the trim, neat parlour maid, who had come into the conservatory to bring him the message from the dining room. "I'll just wash my hands and be ready in a minute," he continued, following her into the kitchen. With much inward trepidation, Ruth, accompanied by John, entered the dining room a few minutes later.

Mr. and Mrs. Groombridge, their eldest son, who was a medical student; three daughters, and one or two younger boys were seated at the nearly finished dessert.

"Well, John, I dare say you wonder why we sent for you and Ruth; but the fact is, your mistress heard from cook this morning a piece of news which you have been sly enough to keep from us," said Mr. Groombridge. Ruth blushed violently, and withdrew a little behind John's burly figure.