The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-04-12
From the Philadelphia Courier.
Ii Il Il E M p E Il A N G l. p l. T. ID G l..

told but too plainly that she the drunkard's
wife,
mot quarter of dollar, John ? Surely you
will not waste quarter of dollar of my hard
earnings, when you know that can scarcely get
food and decent clothes for the children?
AS the wife said this, she looked up into her
husbands face with sad, appealing expression.
! Il must have quarter, Jane 2 was the firm re-
%, John! remember our little ones. The cold
weather will SION be here ,and have not yet been
| able TO get them shoes IF you will not earn any
thing yourself, do not waste the little my hard la
Dor can procure. Will not sixpence do? Surely
that is enough for you TO spend for -
'Nothing will do but quarter, Jaue, and that
must have, II steal ~ was the prompt, and some
what earnest reply.
Mrs. Jarvis laid aside her work mechanically,
tanning single dollar small pieces her little all,
took quarter OF dollar land turning to her hus
band said, as she handed it to him
Remember, that you are taking the bread out
of your chldron's mouths =
mot so bad as that, hope, Jane, the drunkard
replied, as he cenched the money eagerly, some.
thing like feeble smile fitting across his dIs6g
ured and distorted countenance.
Yes, and worse! the response made
sadder tone than that In which the vile had at
first spoken.
'How worse, Jane?'
'John!' and the wife spoke with sudden energy
while her countenance lighted up with strange
gleom. John, cannot bear this much longer
feel myself sinking every day. And you-you
Here the voice of the poor woman gave way,
and covering her face with her hands, she bent
her head upon her bosom, and sobbed and wept
historically.
The drunkaTd looked at her for moment, and
then turning hurriedly, passed from the room
For some moments after the door had closed upon
her husband, did Mrs. Jarvis stand, sobbng and
weeping. Then slowly returning TO the chair
near the window, she resumed her work, with an
expression of countenance that sad and hope
less.
In the mean time, the poor wretch who had
thus reduced his family 10 state of painful desti.
tuition, after turning away from his door, walked
slowly along the street with his head bowed down
AS il engaged in, to him, altog ether employ
ment, that Of self communion. All at once hand
was laid Familiarity upon his shoulders, and we'll
known voice said
'Come, John, let's have drink
Jarvis looked up with bewiIdered air, and the
first thing that caught his eye, after it glanced
away from the face Of one Of his drinking cronies,
was sign with bright gold letters, bearing the
words, eagle COFFEE HOUSE," That sign was
as familiar 10 HIM the face OF of his chill
Sre 5s eg ahs same a sha h eSs rested 9P
towards The tavern door, his old crony caught hold
of his coat collar, and gave him pull in the same
direction. But much TO, the surprise of the latter,
jarvis resisted this attempt give his steps direc
ton that would lead him into his old, accustomed
haunt.
won't you drink this morning, Jarvis?' asked
The other with look OF surprise.
There evidently powerful struggle going
on In the mind ofthe drunkard This lasted only
for moment or two, when he said loudly and
empha ticalIy-
And instantly broke from his old boon compan
ion, and hurried on his way.
A loud laugh followed him ,buI he needed it not
Ten minutes walk brought him to the store OF
respectable tradesman
is Mr.. R in?' he asked, as he entered.
Back at the DESK the reply of clerk
And Jarvis walked back with resolute air
Mr.. t., L want the pledge.
you, Jarvis?' Mr.. R said, in tones of graft
fed surprise
Yes, me, Mr. R Its almost hopeless
case; hut here goes to do my best.
Are you fully sensible of what you are about
doing, Jarvis:'
81 think / am, Mr.. R. I've drank nothing
since yesterday oining and with the help of Him
above, am determined never to drink another
drop as long as live! So,read me the pledge, and
let me sign it,
Mr. R turned at once to the constitution of
the Washington Temperance Society and read the
pledge thereunto annexed:
'We, the undersigned, do pledge ourselves to
each other, as gentleman, that we will not, here
AFTER drink any spirituous liquors, wine, matt or
CIDER unless in sickness and under the prescription
of physician
Jarvis took the pen in his hand, that trembled so
he could scarcely make q straight mark on paper,
and enrolled his name among the hundreds OF
those who, like him, had resolved to be men once
more This done, he laid down the quarter of
dollar which he had obtained from his wife, the
admission lee required OF all VINO JoiDeu me
society. AS he turned from the tradesman's store,
his step was firmer, and his head more erect
than, in sober state, he had carried 1t Tor many
dav.
From thence he proceeded to hatier's shop
well Jarvis was uttered in rather cooi,repul-
sive tone, he entered.
s-Are you in want of journeyman, Mr.. Warren.
81 don't want you, jarvis .
Ifyou will give me work, Il will never get drunk
| again, Mr.. Warren x
you've said that too many times, jarvis. The
last time YOU went off when was hurried with
work, and caused me TO disappont acustomer,
determined 10 have anything more to do
with you
.But I'll never dlsappoint you again. urged the
poor man, earnestly. -
sIrs no use for you to talk TO me, Jarvis. You
and are done with each other. have made up
my mind never again to have man In my shop
who drinks rum.
sBut I've joined the temperance society, Nh.
Warren e
q dont care ic you have, in two weeks you'll be
lying in the gutter
an never drink liquor again II die !! JARVIS
said solemnly.
Look here, you drunken vagabont, the master