Temperance > Autobiography and personal recollections of John B. Gough

ORKNEY AND THE CONTINENT. 327
school-boy, on his first appearance, could have felt more
embarrassed. I knew not what to say. At last I said:
“ My dear friends, as I look at this splendid testimonial
of your good-will—rich in morocco and gold—beautiful
as a work of art and skill—I think of another book, a
little one, broken, torn, ragged, and imperfect,—you
would hardly pick it up in the street; but to me, precious
as is your gift to-night, more precious is that little book.
On the illuminated fly-leaf of this, I read:—‘Presented
August 8, 1860, to John B. Gough, on his leaving Eng¬
land for America, by those only who signed the pledge
after hearing him in Exeter Hall, London.’ On the
brown mildewed fly-leaf of the other book, are these
words: ‘Jane Gough, born August 12,1776. John Gough,
bom August 22, 1817. The gift of bis mother, on his
departure from England for America.’ Two gifts and
two departures!”
As I' began to review the past experiences since I left
home, thirty-one years before, the flood of recollections
came over me, combined with the tender associations con¬
nected with farewell, and I stammered, became nervous,
and unable to proceed. As I stood there, the unshed
tears filling my eyes, Thomas Irving White rose, and tak¬
ing me by the hand, said: “God bless him! Give him
three cheers.” And the audience stai-ted to their feet,
and with waving of hats and handkerchiefs, gave them
with a will. That unsealed the fountain, and I bowed
my head and cried like a very boy.
Mr. Tabraham was called on to pray, and afterward
the exercises were continued, and I told them that this
splendid book should occupy an honoured place in my
home; but the little old battered Bible of my mother
should lie by its side. And there they do lie, on a table
procured for the purpose—the two books—to remain to-