Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-01-25

induce him to accompany her TO the Wash !
ingtonian meetings which were held on
these same evenings. Frederick was a
proud, independent young man, and he
loved Elizabeth as be did his own life
At first be seemed somewhat friendly to
temperance, and very willingly accompan- !
led her TO their meetings. This Cndear-
ed him to her more than ever, for temper I
unce had now become the all.en9rosSlng
subject. She constantly pleaded With him
TO sign the pledge, and on their way to ev.
erv meeting she would urge him with all
her power to Join the Washis9tonians.-
These imporlunlies he PARTED of with
skilliu hand, until they became so inces-
SAINT that they began TO trouble him. lie
manifested some Impotence, and the quick
eye of Elizabeth discovered It. The truth
was, Frederick was moderate drluker,
but this fact he always endeavofed TO con-
ceal from her. AttlInes however her sus-
picions would be aroused. She knew that
his father was a rumseller, and had been
for wears, and that he was the opGn and
avowed enemy to the temperance cause.
She had known this for long time, but
it now oppressed her with redou5Ied
weight. She began 10 reflect on her con.
dition and prospects, and became some
what alarmed TOR her own safety. These
mental misgivings, and anxious fears she
carefully concealed from her lover, and at
the same time she was fully determined TO
sound his principles 10 the bottom. She
was extremely solcitous to ascertain
whether he was strictly temperate or not,
or in other words, whether be was mod
crate drinker; f)r this character was tru-
ly alarming to her. She was constant
listene to the experiences of the reformed
inebrates, and with melting heart she
heard them speak of the sorrows, and
troubles which had crushed them 10 the
earth. All acknowledged they had first
been moderate drinkers.
Scarcely speech was made by the
Washinglonians in which they did not
point out, in most glowing colors, the EN-.
inent danger o. moderate drinking. This
practice, which was once considered safe
and respectable, was now pointed to as the
rock upon which thousands had made ship
wreck Of all that was near and dear to
them. In streams of living eloquence hey
poured out their whole souls upon this
subject, and Elizabeth at times was led 10
believe that the moderate drihker was a
more helpless and dangerous character
than the drunkard himself In her fetlr.
ed moments she would ofen ask herself
the question, rs Frederick Searsmoat a
moderate drinker 2" Love, blind as it is
represented 10 be, would n.wer, il can.
mot be-" reluctant to believe that her lover
could be such character ia such times as
these. She would evade the question a:
much as possible, and yet circumstance:
would occasionally force it upon her con
sideration. During all this time Freder
lex paid his periodical visits" ard accom-
panied her 10 the temperance meetings
which now became more frequent ami in
teresling.
Many a time during their interviews
she urged him to sign the pledge, but h'
would always find some excuse, or Civ
some reason, but never the true one. I'll
dared not, in the presence OF Elizabeth, t
ayow himself, as he really was, the enem,
OF that cause which she SO highly approx
ed. He feared the consequences OF sue
On avowal; FOR he well knew the mora
nature OF her whom be loved, that her IA
determination had always been, to do rigA
and let tie consequences be 0hat they mig
to herself However true the adage Nigh
be 10 relation to other young ladies' lOr
eOaguers all things, be was fully convinC
ed that in It's application 10 Elizabeth som
exceptions to the general rule would
found. Possessed of this knowledge
Elzabeth's character he governed himse
accordingly, and carefully concealed fro
her view his real sentiments and feeling
in relation to the temperance cause Thu
} passed on, and every day new impuls,
were given 10 the Temperance movemeu
Ii became the all-engrossing subject anon
all classes. The meetings we're crowde
and every evening new names were beir
added TO the pledge; and yet few stoC
back, apd among these were found Ere
erick, his fIlher, and some moderate drin
ers.
For several months the period had be,
agreed upon when the marriage shou
take place lat any rate Frederick was e
tremly anxious that the knot should be ii
in the autumn Of l84l, and with view
/. this he had made certain arrangemer
with his father. He became a partner
tue COuCSIu, anu new Slyu was pdlult
and erected over the door, blazing in lar
letters, ~. SEARsMoNT & Son" III
was done in the mids, of summer, with
direct reference to The marriage in the
suing Autumn. Thus Frederick add
TO his character Of moderate driAker Il
ofrwmseLier.
La the progress OF the temperance mo,
ment new subjects for discussion were CT
linuaIly coming up, and new light brea
ing in upon the minis Of Washinglonia
The progress of this glorious cause "
distinguished by the same characters,
In the vicinity Of our lovers which ma