Where Gough First Signed the Pledge.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 98, 24 April 1886, Page 4

Where Gough First Signed the Pledge.

It was in the old Town Hall, now the City Hall. It was Monday night, stormy and uninviting out of doors. As he walked down the centre aisle all eyes wero turned upon him. How well many remember that pale, haggard face, the long, flowing, unkempt hair of raveii blackness, which Gough nervously pushed back from his forehead ns he entered the meeting. His coat wos buttoned at the top only. A crowd of those who had laughed at his Bacchanalian songs, his wonderful powers of mimicry, and his grotesque dancing had followed him into the meeting. As he nervously affixed his signature to the pledge a half suppressed, sneering laugh was heard by those in the rear of the hall. Gough heard it also, and, as he laid down the pen, he turned suddenly upon those assembled with. " Why do you laugh ? Am I not a man ?" Tho meeting was silent in an instant, and then followed one of thoae impaßsioned temperance addresses, whioh, in after years, made him foremost among the most effective workers of the temperance cause. In all hia after life he never moved an audience more than in this, his first temperance address. Tears were brought to the eyes of all, and it was a sight never to be forgotten by those who witnessed the scene.—" Worcester Spy."