Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-08-17
MIgCE,LLANY .
The VINE Of the Intemperate.
BIZ Mrs. Sig0urneH.

families VINO removed 10 the implanted, |
western wild. The change from he man
ner OF life in which she had been bfougb:
up in her native New England, was
great. But she never complained; and
busied herself with those duties which be-
fit the wife of lowly emigrant.
One Of her principal cares was an IN.
valid bov. The charge ofhis health, and
of his mind. occupied her most anxious
Thoughts. She supplicated that the pencil
which was 70 write upon. bis soul. and
which seemed 10 be placed in her hand,
might be guided from above. She spoke
to him in the tenderest manner of his
Father in heaven, and Of his will respect
ing liuIe children.
She pointed ont Almighty goodness ID
the daily gifts that sustain life; in the
glorious sun rejoicing in the east; in The
gently falling rain; the frail plants, and
the dews that noursh them. She reason
ed with him OF the changes Of nature, ill
he loved even the storm and the lofty
thunder. because they came from God.
She repeated 10 him passages ofScrip-
ture, with which her memory was stored,
and sang Hymns, until she perceived that if
be was ia pain. he complained not, if he
might but hear her voice. She made
him acquainted with the life of the com
passionate Redeemer. how he took young
children in bis arms, though the disciples
forbade them. And voice from within
urged her never to desis: from cherishing
that tender and deep-rooted piety, because,
like the flower Of grass, he must soon pass
away.
Jane Harwood had q different, and
still deeper trial, in the intemperance of
her husband. In his fits of inloxicatio1,
there was no form Of persecution which
distressed her so much, as unkindness TO
the feeble and suffering boy. On such
occasions, it was in vain that she attempted
10 protect him. She might neither shell
ter him ia her bosom, nor control the fran
tic violence of the father.
The timid boy, ia terror of his natural
protector, withered like crushed flower.
1t was OF no avail that neighbors remon-
strated with the unfeeling parent, or that
hoary-headed men warned him solemnIy
ofhis sins. Incompetence had destroyed his
, respect for man. and his fear of God.
The wasted and widowed invalid
shrank from the glance and footstep of his
father, as from the approach ofaa foe.-
Harshness, and the agitation Of fear, Deep
ened disease that might else have yielded.
Returning spring brought no gladness to
the declining child. Consumption laid IFS
hand upon his vitals, and his nights were
restless and full Of pain.
"Mother, Iewish could once more
smell the pioleis that grew upon the green
bank, by our old. dear home" II is too
early for violeis. my child; butthe grass
is growing bright and beautiful around US,
and the birds sing sweetly, as if their little
hearts were fall Of praise" The mother
knew that his hectic fever had been recent
ly increasing, and saw that there was a
strange brightness in his eye.
Seating herself on his low bed, she bow
ed her face 10 his to sooth and compose
him. Mother, 90 YOU think my father
will Gomez Drcading the alarm which,
in his paroxysms Of coughing. he evinced
at his-father's approach, she answered, "
think not, love; you had better try 10
Sleep,
"MoIber, wish he would come.
am not afraid now. Perhaps he would
let me lay my citek to his, once more, as
he used to do, whsD was babe in my
grandmolher's arms l should be glad to
say kind good by to him, before go to
my Savior"
Gazing earnestly in, his face, she saw
the work Of the destroyer. my son !!
my dear. sonl say, Lord Jesus receive
my spiril."' " Mother" he replied. with
smile'0pon his ghastly features, " he is
ready for me. l am willing to go to him.
Hold the baby to me, that may kiss her
once more. That is all Now sing to
me and oh i wrap me closer in your
arms, for SILVER with cold.p
He clung, with NE deathsgrasp, to thai
bosom which had long been his sole earth
w refuge. ssSing louder. little louder
dearest mother, cannot hear you."--
Tremulous tones. like those .offa broker
harp, rose above her grief tocomfort tn,
dying child. One sigh Of icy breall
was upon her cheek. as she joined it i
his, one shudders and all was over.
She stretched the body on the bed. anC
kneeling beside il. hid her face in tina
grief which mono but mothers feel. II wa
a deep and sacred solitude--alone wit
the dead. Only the sof breathings OF tn
sleeping babe were heard. Then the 81
lence was broken by piercing voice
supplication for strength toendare. Th
petition. which began in weakness. close
IN faith. Il became prayer OF thanks
giving to him who had released the dove
like spirit from its prison house Of pain
10 share the bliss OF angels
She arose from her knees, and ben
calmly over the dead. The placid fea
lures wore the same smile as when b
bad annLnr az ln.... Che nrnnnfhnd II