The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-04-12

most read, TO recede from his earnest resoutio
and pledge 10 become a sober man, and a bette
husband and father lie felt utterly discouraged
AS he walked slowly along the street, the fume
OF coffee house which he passing. nncon
sciously, struck upon his sense, and immediatel
came an almost oyerpowerng desire for his accus
toned potation. lie paused
'Now that try TO reform they tuin against me,
he said bitterly. lit is no use, ! am gone pas
hope
One step was taken towards the tavern door ,whel
it seemed as if a strong hand held him back.
Mono he murmuIed, Il have taken The pledg
and will stand by il, if l die
Then moving resolutely onward, he soon ioun
himself near the door OF another hatters shop
Hope again kindled up in his bosom, and he en-
tered.
'Don't you want hand. Mr.. Mason2 he aske
in hestatiDg tone.
mot drunken one, Jarvis was the repulsiv
answer.
sBut I've reformed, Mr. Mason
so should think from your looks
But, indeed, Mr. Mason, have quit drinking
and taken the pledge
TO break it in three days. Perhaps tire
hours
wont you give me work MIR. Mason, if prom
Use to be SOBER"
mo. For L would not give copper for you
PROMISES.
Poor Jarvis turned away. When he had place
his hand to the pledge, he dreamed not OF lhes
repulses and difficulties. He good work
man, and he thought that any OF his old elm
ployers would be glad to get HIM back again, S
soon they learned of his having signed the tota
abstinence pledge. But he had SO often promise
amendment, aud as often broken 1t, and disappoin
ed them, that they had lost all confidence in him
at least, the TWO to whom he had thus far, mad
application.
After leaving the shop Of Mr. Mason, Jarvi
seemed altogether irresolule. lie would walk oil
few steps, aud then pause TO commune with hi
bewildered and troubled thoughts
l will try Landlord. he SAID at length, hal
n ha tpIII nix ma
A brisk walk of some ten minutes brought hin
TO The door of small halter shop, in retiret
street. Behind the counter of this shop stood a,
old man, busiiy employed in ironing hat. Their
was something benevolent in his counenance ant
manner. As Jarvis entered he looked up, and
shade passed quickly over his face
Good morning, Mr.. Lankford, Jarvis said bow
ing, with something like limidity and shame in hi
manner.
sAre you not afraid to come here, John?' replied
the old man, sterniy.
Il am ashamed TO come, but not afraid. 70,
will not harm me know.
DONE trust to that, John. Did you not steal
aye, thar is the word-dd you NOT steal from me
the last time employed your The old il
manner was stern aud energetic.
Il was wicked to take couple of skins
Mr.. Landlord, but did very wrong, and am will
ing to repay you ior .hsTh ab Sa S Tl a ESs ef
" nfquor, lave no distinct consciousness Of the
evil of any action.
give you another chance to rob me.
'But will not get drunk any more. And you
know Mr.. Landlord that while was sober mar
and worked for you, never wronged you out OF {
sixpence worth
'Won't get drunk any more All, John have
lived too long in The world, 81 have mucf
to heed such PROMISES
'But am in earnest, Mr.. Landlord. 1 signed
the pledge this morning.
iYou in tone of surprise.
yes, sigued it,
sAh, john after pause, and shaking his head
Il cannot credit your word, and am
sorry for it,.
'Jfl have signed the pledge, and il am really
determined to be a reformed man, will yoD give
me work, Mr.. Lankford?
The old man thought for a few moments, and
then said, half sorrowfuy,
Il am afraid Of you, John. You are such an
old offender on the score of Drunkenness that /
have no confidence in your power to keep the
pledge
Then what shall do! the poor wretch ex
claimed in tones that made the hear, oil the old
man thrl-for nature and pathos were III them
'Now that am tying in earnest to do better, nc
one will give me word of encouragement, or
helping hand. Heaven help me!--ior l am forsa
ken OF man.
Have you been to see Warrcn3 asked tho old
man.
Yes, aud he threatened to kick me out of the
shop
Mason wants a hand know. He will no doubt
be glad to employ YOU
I've tried him, but he viii not give me work
Mr.. Lankford stood thoughtful and irresolute
for some moments. He pted from his heart, the
poor creature who thus mporluned so earnestly
for work, and whose trembling hand indicated thu
he had forborne, at least for time, his accustom
ed stimulus. But he did not wish to have him IN
his shop, for he had no confidence in him. A
length he said
John, if you will bring me certificate from
Mr.. r., that you have signed the total abs nenc
pledge, will give you another trial. But yot
disappoint me again, you and are done forever.
The conntenance of Jarvis frightened up instan
ly. He turned quickly away, withou; reply, ano
hurried off to the store of Mr. r., the Secretary
of the Society he had joined The certificate was
of course obtained
sAnd you have joined sure enough, John MIR
Landlord said, in a changed tone, as he glanced
over the certificate.
sIndeed, have; MIR. Landlord
sAnd YOU seem in earnest.
slfI was in earnest about any thing in my life,
am in earnest now
keep to your pledge, then, John, and all will
be we'll. While you were sober man, preferred
YOU to any iourneyman in the shop. Keep sober
and you shall never want days work while am
IN business.
sBy the aid of him who knows how much in
earnest am, will be true to my pledge. JARVIS
said meeklY, and yet in solemn tone: