The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-08-19


drank, lost the little property had accum-
ulated, broke the heart Of my wife, and
finally became needless ofevery thing.
SO I livid along till last Wednesday
night. You know what we heard then,
and l need not say that was convinced thai
rum had made me Lazy Bill, and caused
all my trouble. then signed the Pledge,
and till now have kept it inyiolate; and,
God helping me, will never drink anolh.
er drop Of liquor as long as live. Already
begin 10 feel the fires of ambition again
in my breast, and to imagine myself man.
My wife there is happier, and looks health
ier, and my little boy smiles swee,ly when
| take him in my arms.
In short. am new man, with new
feelings and new hopes, and now am go
ing to lead new lfe-regain, if possible
my character and my property, and be hap
py. And I want my old companions to
go with me. Some of you promised TO
sign the Pledge if | would; and as nothing
has befallen me TO discourage that resolution
l hope you will come up here and redeem
your promises.
There was pause for some minutes.
The audience seemed paralyzed with as
tonishment. Old Simon had been seen 10
brush away something that had apparently
escaped from between his eyelids, and all
were looking to him for something that
should break the spell of enchan,ment
Presently he rose, walked up silently 10
the desk, took up the pen, and put his
name to the Pledge. Now the people
seemed to breathe freer; and one by one;
every person iu the house followed his
example.
CHAPTER W.
Five or six months agcI was. passing
through the little town OF Pepperelboro, ,an6
recolec,ing some of the incidents related
above; be,hought me to ascertain whether
Bill had kept his Pledge. could not then
recolect his slrname. and WAS obliged to
inquire for Lazy Bll,'as of old. Nobody
knew him, or could tell where he lived;
Finally, l called at house and interiogated
the woman mos. industriously for the
whereabouts Of Lazy Bill;' but she knew
nothing of him, and turned TO 60 away.
Just then an old gentleman passed the
house.
There's old uncle Simon Leighton, said
the woman, .and he knows where your
man lives, if sny body does
hurried into the street, and soon over
taking uucle Simon, put to him the question
where does Lazy Bill liver
LAZY Bill!' said he; suppose you
mean William Smith, the carriage manufac.
turer;'
'Thais his name,' I replied, though
did not know he was a maker of car
riages.
He lives on the old spot said Simon,
just where he has lived for twelve years:
but he don't look much like Lazy Bill
now
] hurried on, and soon came TO the place
where; two years before,I had dropped that
miserable being called Lazy lBill,' whom
I had taken from ths groggery Of the village
Se!ow to pilo! me 10 a hotel. The old
hovel had been torn down; and on its site
stood a pretty white cottage. surrounded
with yard Of flowers, just withering from
the effects OF autumn frost. Beyond il
was large building, which. from the
sounds proceeding from il. judged to be
the workshop Of VIM. Smith; the carriage
maker. Thilher bent my steps; and on
inquiring for Mr.. Smith; was pointed to
noble looking man in the further snd of
the shop, whose manly bearing and healthy
looking countenance were evidence enough
that the Pledge had remained unbroken.
On my approach he recognized me. shook
my hand heartily, and throwing of his
apron, invited me into his house.
We walked in together, and there l
found ona nf this pratsiaaf and b.nn;...