The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-07-04
[Conchded from LIST pnge.l


ufhis credit with the dramiseller, his mother
discovered 10 her unspeakable JOY TINT he was
not intoxicated. For hours he sat gloomily
musing in an attitude ofutter self-nbandon-
mcnt, his head resting on his trembling
hands, his face haggard, and his eyes lustre-
less. The kind voice of his mother summon
cd him to the scanty evening meal, but he
was 100 wretched and miserable 10 eat.
ut is beautiful evening, "said Mrs. Austin,
looking upon tho moonit sky, and speaking
~ if to hersclG off could have company, l
would go out Tonight,
"Wel mother" said Charles, signing 80
heavily that the sigh almost became groan,
"IfI were ANYTHING but the low drunken fell
low that am would offer 10 go with YOU"
"Wnlk out with you, mother, in decent
part Oftho city," said Charles, raising his head
in surprise, and looking with wonder Mt her,
"why mother"
eyes my sou, my dear boy, shall be very
happy of the opportunity to walk out with
Won; to be sure your clothes do not look very
well, but never mind that; here is n new black
silk neck-cloth, and clean collar, lot me
help YOU 10 put them on; and i will brush
YOUR coat and hat, and you will look quite
nice in the evening""
ooh, mother, you are an angel" said
Charles the big tears rolling over his cheeks
MS she neatly adjusted his cravat and collar;
"what is there that you have. not endured
from my drunkenness, and yet you are as
kind and as attentive to me MS i'll were the
hest of sons. Oh, wish had died in my
cradle, for my whole life has been curse
TO YOU, and me and every one else.
"Don't talk so Charles; you are KIND clnld
10 me, aud ifyou would only let drink alone,
all would he well enough. 1t is drinking that
makes YOU so miserable, and causes so much
sorrow. But come, let us go now"
They descended into the strect;Mrs. Aus
tin took her sons arm, rather to support nm,
;hnn to be supported by hum, for he remhIed
violently. and slowly they proceeded up Han
over street, neither speaking The one was
TOO much agitated by the vague, half formed
hopes that were fitting through her mind To
attempt conversation, and the other 100
sad-hcarted, too hroken-spirited to utter syl-
liable They arrived at well kown hall, us
cd generally for the business meetings OF that
ward of the city, " hich was already dcnsely
crowded by an eager multitude, and enter
ing, they found seats in the remotest corner
nfthe room. The meeting had commenced;
one after another arose, who had been res
cued from the dominion ofan Unsuitable mp
petite, and in graphic language that burned
into the very souls of those who listened, re-
capitulated the history of his redemption, the
struggle with craving propensities, retracto-
~ pnsssions, and established habits of vice;
md then, in moving, fearful, pathetic words,
were portrayed the happiness OF the once des-
oIate home, the JOY of the heart broken whe,
and sorrowful children, and the renovated
vigor of body and mind, and "the peace that
passeth understanding" which were the first
fruits ola turning from vice to virtue. Many
were the tears shed, and many were the
words of sympathy spoken during these reel
Itals; and sometimes, torgetful OF the dlgnlhed
tccorum which should characterize public
meeting, the whole multitude spoke out, as
with one voice, in words ofcheering and en-
cOuragement.
The meeting being ended, an earnest i'll
yitation was extended TO all to sign the
pledge official abstinence,and many went for
ward and affixed their signatures to the sim
pIe words, which had wrought such wonders.
Mrs Austin had watched her son intently,
while she was nj the same time deeply nh
snrhcd in the exercises of the evening. lie
was evidently much affected, and while she
was struggling for words to second the inVi-
ration which had been given, he touched her
aud spoke
mother" said he, 81 want to sign that
pledge bu: shall fall before l reach the desk,
III undertake to go up, feel so badly" His
knees knocked violently together, his whole
frame shook like an aspen leaf, every drop of
blood had forsaken his face, his breath came
thick and short, and on his brow stood cold
death like dew.
Mrs. Austin made no reply: the pent up
feelings of her heart gushed forth, and n flood
of tears deuged her face. Placing her arms
firmly around him, she aided him from his
seat, and Keeling from the excitement of the
moment, and from ill3ess also, his mother
supporting him with her arm about her waist
sobbing all the while herself he staggered
forwards to the desk, wrote his name feebly,
and then wholly overpowered, he fell back
and tainted
For many days afterwards it was doubtful
whether the poor fellow was TO live or die
n brain fever, accompanied by the widest and
most terrible delirium, the consequences OF
his past excess reduced him to the borders
of the grave. But he recovered; and when a.
gain able to go forth, the same ministers OF
GOOD that had watched around his couch of
sickness, lowered about his path. They found
him employment ofnn easy kind, where nc
was surrounded by virtuous influences, they
stripped him of his rags, and supplied hin
with comfortable clothing, encouraging hin
by deserved praise, and by taking kindly
interest in his welfare, and thus aided, ano
watched over, and cared for by his mother a
home, and his Washingtonian friends abroad
he pcrsevered, and kept the promise he ha'
made.
Nearly five years have passed away since
the evening when he signed the pledge, ant
never have his lips been defled by aught tina
has power TO intoxicate, never for a momen
has he dallied with temptation, or taken to In
embrace, even as medicinal tdraught, thu
sparkling poison, which first betrayed HIM
medical preparation.
For the last two years, in the society ofth
sweet and gentle girl, who for-love ofhim be
rame his welded wife, and with meek eye'