Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-01-25
Volume 4S.~Number A.

power She gave him some milk and medicine =
ne swallowed it; she clasped him frantcallv to her
arms and wept over him, calling, Jenny Jem
my But Jenny could never again smile at his
mo'hers voice. Mrs Smith sat in mute despair
Her babes feet grew cold but neither fire or flannel
could warm them The baby was diving She ran
10 the window, but there was no help near She
looked upon her children--why disturb them2 in
an agony OF desolation and grief she laid her child
upon her lap, and watched its last breath II Drew
cog IN her arms; she pressed her lips to its cheek
ana long after it had ceased to i've she clasped Il
closer and closer to her bosom
She needed not an unsteady stem that aSnroockod
me door But the stiffness ofhe hour was dsturbedb v
.ne entrance OF the husband and father 1t was some
ume before his unsteady hand could findthe latch
and he staggered into the room.
what are You upnow for said he, burning ont
nre and candles2 Always extraVaqant-- to bed
one neither moved or stirred That stricken mo:
ther was scarcely conscious of his presence
say reiterated Mr. Smith, in imperfect senten-
ces go to bed What are you keeping that child up
al thls time OF night for2 shan't 90 to bed, and
leave you here. Go to bed he shouted and nj
tempted to approach his sorrowng wife, but he fell
on the floor, and overturned the little stand which
nelu the lamp over bottle of medicine The light
was extinguished, and the bottle broken
Jennie is deadP said the wife, in slow agoniz-
ca tone Jennie is dead One, two three of our
children have died. and they all will die But what
VIII you care, for that2 wish Twas dead sobbed
the woman, passionatelv.
Remember as, mother said little Mamie from
the trundle.bed, you die we shall die too
Hush, Mamie; go to sleep, child Mamie was
only half awake when her mother spoke to her. and
claspng John close around the neck she again went
TO sleep. -
Dead dead all dead exclaimed Smith as he
lay extended upon the floor He was bewidered,
ne repeated again and again, Dead dead = until his
deep breathing showed that he was asleep III the
presence of his heartsricken wife and dead child
The Little girl who had so kindly befriended John
Smith, and by whose mothers fire he had warmed
himself and of whose mothers bread he had eater
was named Mary Bates When Marys father re.
turned home she sat upon his knee, and with her
little arm around his neck, told him about the poor
ragged boy who had cried upon the steps ooh, ia.
ther, am going to see his little brother, who is
SICK and mother says may carry up some of my
clothes, and some BROTH
And what shall do, Mary asked her father.
Oh, father, was going to tell you You must
try to make Johns father leave off drinking rum--
AS soon as you get up tomorrow morning, you
ought to go and carry him the temperance pledge TO
sign She looked full in her fathers face, as she
ssolemnly and earnestly repeated her remark Oh,
father can't you do this tonightY
NO, my dear, it is too stormy tomorrow will
do quite as WELL
The first thing, father, hope, said Mary.
The next morning, early, Mary reminded him of
hispromise, Mr.. Bates wanted some Jobs done in
his yard, and he very glad to take this opportu
nity not only ofgratfying his little daughter but at
least, OF trying to rescue man from utter ruin. He
proceeded to little workshop, where he knew Smith
occasionally was to be found Intrying to open the
door, which was led by a slight fastening he heard
deep groan. The door at length yielded to his at
tempts and entering the shop, he saw the unhappy
man sitting on a STOOL his elbows resting on his
knees, and his head bowed down, buried in his hands
few tools were lying around in different directions
some rusty some broken bearing the marks of being
seldom used and quite unfit for an industrious me-
chanic
Good morning, Mr. Smith, said Mr. Bates in
cheerful tone.
The man made no reply
want few jobs DONE in yourway, MI. Smith.
Don't you want some work p continued Mr. Bates
No. said Smith.
Oh yes you do; Thanksgiving is coming; you
want to earn something for Thanksgiving, surely
Don't talk to me, exclaimed Smith, roughly; l
don't want work l can't work. His trembling
head and unsteady hands showed how dreadfuly he
mad untitled himself for employment He raised his
blood shot eyes towards Mr. Bates and then looking
down again said, as iftalking to himself, 'Jemmies
dead-Jemmie is dead I can never see him again;
but he is taken from trouble. My good wife poor
woman 7 and the tears rolled from his eyes.
MI Dues nedIl was loucneu come MT oHltl,
you have met with trouble, but bear it like man
and Christian
am neither man Christian, replied the
unhappy being, interrupting him. am miserable
good for nothing. Oh, l am killed by rum
rum-and | must have some rum He attempted
to rise but sat down again.
Mr. Smith, said Mr.. Bates, l have come to see
you this morning, to help you, to give you work,
and to supply your wants am your FRIEND and
will readily assist yourself and family, on condi
ton
The poor man looked up surprised and incredu-
lous What is it p he at length asked Assist me
What for have no friends
Yes, | am disposed to help you as much as /
can, if you will accept my condition. Perhaps it is
not easy one, want you to sign the Temper
ance Pledge and to sign it nolO.'
There was pause of some moments.
It is ofno use, said the man, despondingy