State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-16

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Them for the purchase of strong drink.
Johnny's countenance, to be sure, was
exceedingly pale and sallow; but the pale
faced tippler is, by no means, an uncom-
mon spectacle On the other hand, johnny
was very industrious, constantly in his shop
in working hours, and always busily en-
ploycd.
After an interval of severa! weeks, the
collector called again, and put the custom
airy question, Well, Mr. Hodges, can you
pay the doctors bil?' Perhaps there was
something unusually hurried or Emporium
ate, or johnny so thought, in the manner of
making the inquiry. johnny was engaged
i'm turing n shoe, and he hammered il
eniirolr- out Of shape. He laid down his
hammer and tongs, and, for u few seconds,
rested his check upon his hand.-J don't
know how | can pay the doctors bill
said johnny Hodges. I've nothing here
in the shop, but my tools and very little
stock: and Eve nothing at home, but the
remainder of our scanty furniture.
know the doctors bill ought to be paid, and
if he will take it, he shall be welcome to
our COW, though have five little children,
who live upon the milk NO, no, Hodges,
said the collector you are much mistaken,
if YOU suppose the doctor, who is a Chris
tian and akind-hearted man, would take your
COW, or Cypress you at all, for the amount
of his bill. But how is it, that you, who
have always so much work, have never
any money! 'Ah. sir said johnny
Hodges while he wiped the perspiration
from his tpcc. for he was Woodworking
man, An, sir,' said he. what curse it is! -
can nothing be done to put stop to this
iutemprra6cc? hear great deal of the
efforts. that nv, making: but still the rum
business Goes on. III were not for the
formations 70 take strong drink, | should
do we'll enouqE: and the rood doctor should
not have sem twice for the amount of his
hin Very few of those. who write and
talk so n,i,rh of intemucrence. know any
,h;nr of orr trinls and troubes. 81 con-
fess soid the collector. that have had my
susnicions and fears belore.-Why do you
NOT resolve that vou will never touch
another drnu? Go. HODGES, like a man,
and nut your name TO the pledge; and
pray God to enable YOU to keep it faith
inlly. why. as to ihnt, slr' said the black
smith ,thp nIedce will do me no GOOD; the
difficulty doesn't lie there What Il curse
is there no prospect OF putt"g an end
tn ;ntc,nuereuce?'-' be sure there is
renlied the collector. If people will sign
the uledoc. and keep it too. there is no
! ,iiiiicuitv.' bur. suppose they Will not
| sim the pledge reioined johnny Hodges,
| sill. if rum were not so common as it is.
and SO easily obtained, the temptation
would be taken away.'-'rhat is all very
true, but it is every mans duty TO do some
thing for HIMSELF replied the collector
i advise you to sign the pledge, as soon us
| possible. why, sn,' said the blacksmith
the difficulty doesn't lie there, as j told
you; signed the pledge long ago, and
have kept it well. | never was given to
taking spirit in my life. My labor at the
forge is pretty hard work, yet take moth
ing stronger for drink than cold water. -
am sorry, that | misunderstood YOU re-
piled the collector. But since you do not
take spirit, and your children, as you have
led me to suppose, are of tender years, why
are you so anxious for the suppression o
lntemperance:'-'be sad. poor john
ny Hodges, after pause, and with eNlden
emotion, 80 tell you the PLAIN truth, Ii has
made my home hell, my wife drunk
ard, and my children beggars! Poor things,
said he, as he brushed away the tears, they
have no mother any more. The OLD COW
that offered you, Just now, Tor the doctor
debit believe 1t would have broker
their hearts to have parted win OLD brih
; dle,-is more of a mother to them now
than the woman who brought them into
, this world OF trouble. ! have mule to ieet
old Briudle with; and the children ar,
running here and there, Tor lIltlc sWll
: and such matters, to keep her alive. Ever
, the smallest of these poor things WIIi pcl
up bunch of hay or few scattered corn
stalks, and fetch 1t to her, and look OH VIII
delight, to see her ENJOY IT., l have seel
) them all together, when their natural moth
err, in drunken spree, has driven them on
t of doors, flying iorretuge TO the old COW
} and lying beside her IN the shed'-N hat
curse il Isl