Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-04-18

but III never disappoint you again urged the
poor man, earnestly.
lies no use for YOU to talk to me, jarvis. You
and IRE done with each other ! have made up
my mind never ngnin to have man in my shop
who drinks rum
But I've joined the temperance society, Mr..
Warren
Il don't care If you have, In two weeks you'll
he lying in the gutter
'l'll never drink liquor again If dier Jarvis
said solelnny
Look here, you drunken vagnbond,' the master
halter said, IN angry tones, coming from behind
the counter, aud standing in front Of the iudlvd-
ual ho was addressing III you are not out oi this
shop in two minutes by the watch, III kick you
into the street, So there now-take your choice
TO go out or he kicked out
Jarvis turned sadly away without reply, and
passed out Of the door through winch he had en-.
tered with heart full of hope, now panied, and
almost ready to recede from his earnest resolu
ton md pledge to become n sober imam, and
better husband aud father. He felt utterly dis.
couraged. AS he walked slowly along the street.
the fumes of n coffee house which he was passing
unconsciously struck upon his sense, and ilnme
diate!y came an almost overpo wering desire for
his accustomed po.alion. He paused
Now that TRY TO reform, they turn against me, ;
he said bitterly lit is no use am gone yust
hope
One step was taken towards the tavern door.
'No-no,' he murmured, Il have taken the pledge,
and will stand by it, il die
Then moving resolutely onward, he soon found
himself near the door OF another haer's shop
Hope again kindled up his bosom aud he entered.
Don't you want hand, MIR. Mason p he asked
in hesltntIng tone.
Not drunken one, Jarvis was the repulsive
answer
But 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 three hours
Wont you give me work, Mr.. Mason, if |
promise to be sober.
NO. For would moi give copper for your
promises
Poor jarvis turned away. When he had pla-
ced his hand 10 the pledge, he dreamed not OF
these repuses and difficulties. He was n good
workman, and he thought that any one of his old
employers would he glad TO get him back again,
so soon as they learned of his having signed the
total abstinence pledge. But he had so often
promised amendment, and often broken his
promise, aud disappointed them that they had
lost all confidence in him at least the two TO
whom he had thus lar made application.
After leaving the shop of Mr.. Mason, Jarvis
seemed altogether irresolu,e. lie would walk on
few steps, and then pause TO commune with his
troubled and bewldered thoughts.
will try Langford,' he said, at length, half a
loud 'he will give me work, surely
brisk walk of some ten minutes brought him
to the door of small halter shop, in a retired
street. Behind the counter of this shop stood an
old man, busy employed in ironing hat. There
was something benevolent in his conntenance and
manner. As Jarvis entered, he looked up, and
shade passed quickly over his face.
Good morning, Mr.. Langford,' Jarvis said
bowling, with something like timidiiy and shame in
his manner.
'Are, you no, afraid to come here, John?' re
| Piled the old man sternly.
| Il an ashamed to come, but not afraid. You
will not harm me know
DON'T trust TO that, John. Did you not steal
from me !he last time employed youP The old
man III manner was stern and energetic.
Il was so wicked AS to take II couple of skins,
| Mr. Langord, but | did very wrong and am will.
| ling 10 repay you for them. II you will give me
work. | was in liquor when did it, aud when
| in liquor, have no distinct consciousness OF the
evil of any action
Give you work indeed o no, John, l cannot
| give you another chunce TO rob me-
Bun will no, get drunk any more. And you
know MIR. Langiord, that while WAS a sober man,
and worked for you, never wronged you out oil
sixpence worth.
| 'Won't get drunk any more All, John, have
| lived 100 long in the world, and have seen too
nuch 10 heed such promises
'But am in earnest, Mr. Langford. I signed
the pelge ms morning.
You! in n tone of surprise.
'Yes, signed it,
'Ah, john after u pause, and shaking his head
| incredulously, Il cannot credit your word, and
am sorry for it,
If have signed the pledge, and if am
really determined 10 be a reformed man, will you
give me work, Mr.. Langtord?'
| The old man thought for few moments aud
then said half sorrow(ully,
u utrad of yOu JOhn Ynu nre siich nm
| 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 heart of the
| old man thrlll-lor nature and pathos were in
| them. NOW that am trying in earnest TO do
better, no one will give me word of encourage
,nen', or helping hand. Heaven help me for
| | am fOrsaken of man.
Have you been to see Warren p asked the old
man.
Yes and he threatened 10 kick me out of his
shop
Mason wants hand, | know. He will no
doubt be glad to employ YOU
I've tried him, but he will not give me work.
Mr. Langiord stood thoughtful and irresoute,
for some moments. He pitied from his heart the
! poor creature who thus mporluned earnestly
| for work, and whose trembling hand indicated
that he had Ion borne at least for time his accus
in his shop, for he Ind no confidence in him AT
length he said
John, il you will bring me a certificate from
MIR. r., that you have signed the total abstinence
| pledge, will give you another trial. But il you
disappoint me again, you and are done forever
The counlehance Of Jarvis frightened up in =
stantly. lie turned quickly away without reply,
and hurried off to the store Of Mr. h. the Secre-
tary of the Society he had joined. The cerrif-
| cate was of course obtained
| and you huve joined, sure enough, john Mr..
Langford said IN a changed tone, as lie glanced
over the certificate.
Indeed, have, Mr. Langford.'
And you seem in earnest
| 'if ! was in earnest about anything in my life,
! am in earnest now
Keep to your pledge, then, John, and all will
ne we'll While you were u sober man, prefer.
req you TO any iourneyman in my shop. Keep
sober, and You shall never want a days work
! while am in business
'By the aid of Him who knows how much in