For John's Sake, and Other Stories.

"For John's Sake, and Other Stories" by Annie Frances Perram is a group of tales from the late 1800s that look at characters facing tough situations, especially how alcohol affects people and why staying sober is crucial, showing the fight between wanting to give in and wanting to stay strong. The main story, "For John's Sake," centers on Ruth, a maid who promised not to drink any alcohol for her future husband, John, who works as a gardener. We first meet Ruth and John as they look forward to getting married, but their love is put to the test when Ruth's promise to stay sober clashes with John's brother, Dick, who is back from Australia and loves to party, which could tempt John to drink. As Ruth worries about what might happen if John listens to his brother, there are intense talks about believing in each other, staying true to yourself, and the dangers of addiction. This sets the scene for the big ideas of love, giving up something for someone else, and the problems that drinking too much can cause in society, which are explored throughout the book.