The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-02-25


rents
/ had arrived within two miles of the little
river, which forms one Of the boundary lines
of our village. | was passing little grocery
or tipplery, and standing at the door, | re
cognized the very individual who formerly
kept the grog-shop in our town, and from
whom my father had purchased his rum fol
years. Although it was already gray twi
light, knew him Immediately; and, however
painful to approach person,in whom could
rot fail to behold as the destroyer of my faith
or, could not repress my earnest desire tc
learn something Of my family. | accosted him
and he remembered me at once. His man.
ners were those of surly and dissatisfied
man. In reply to my inquiries, he informed
me that my parents and sister were alive, land
added, with a sheer, that my father had set
up for cold,water man but" continued
he, with forced and spiteful laugh, /" it will
take him all his days, | guess, to put off the
old man; they that have gotten the relish of
my rum, are not so very apt to change it for
cold-water." Upon further inquiry, ascer-
tanned that there had been temperance
movement in our village, and that the Seed as
poor Tom said, had been scattered there with
an unsparing hand. l also gathered the in
formation from this rumseller that the select
men had refused to appreciate any applicant
for license to sell ardent spirit in our town,
and that he, himself, had therefore been
obliged to quit his old stand and take the one
he now occupied.
I turned from the dram-seller's door, and
proceeded on my way. 1t was quite dark but
the road was familiar to my feet. 1t afford
ed me much pleasure to learn that my moth
Il /
exceedingly perplexed by the information re-
lating to my father Can it be possible I
thought, that he has become a cold-water
man How true is the rum-selers remark,
that few who have gotten taste of his rum,
are not apt to change it for cold water For
more than twelve years my father had been
an Incorporate man; and, even if he had
abandoned ardent spirit for time, how little
reliance could be placed upon drunkards
Besides Tom johnson had ex-
pressly stated, that my father had been ex-
ceedingly hostile to the temperance move
ment from the beginning.
With these and similar reflections my mind |
continued to be occupied, until entered our
village. 1t was about half-past nine, when |
came within few rods of the old cottage. A
light was still cleaning forth from the window.
drew slowly and silently near the door, l
hought | heard a voice. listened attentive
y. 1t was my fathers, My mother appear
I'd not to reply: such was her constant habit
whenever under the influence Of liquor, he
ave a loose rein to his tongue, and INDUCED
n unkind and abusive language. | drew yet
earer-and passing softly into the entry, l
stencd more attentivcly at the inner door,
IAN it be possible? thought l. He was en-
aged in prayer! in fervent, pious prayer!
lie prayed with a trembling voice for an alb
cnt son! There was pause From the
1ovement within, it was evident they had
iscn from their knees l gently raised the
itch, and opened the door The father, the
lother, the brother, the sister, were locked
1 the arms of one another. My regenerated
Id father fell again upon his knees, VIC all ,
ollowed his example, and before word of
had passed from one to the
Their, he poured forth such touching strain
f thanksgiving and praise TO the Giver of cy- ,
ry good and perfect gift, for mY safe return, i
5 would have melted the heart of the most ,
bdurate offender. 1t came directly from the t
cart of truly pcnitent sinner, and it went
to the God of mercy. gazed
pom my poor old father. 1t seemed like the y
1Oral resurrection of one already dead and Y
uried in his trespasscs and sins. | glanced $
.pidly about me all was peace and order, c
here all had been strife and confusion be- q
re. The rum,jug no longer occupied its
,customed seat upon the table tho expand
i volume of eternal life was there in its
cad
| gazed with inexpressiblc joy upon the 4
Apply faces about me; my father, to all out
ard appearances, such as he had been in his h
etter days sitting in silence, and evidently d
the emotions of his soul; poor Ra. II
lacl upon my knee, her features bathcd with &
Apply tears; and my dear old mother turn Il
g her countcnancc, full Of gratitude and "
We, alternately towards heaven and upon q n
ne gone child, returned at last. g
Six years have now gone by since a merci- s.
il God softened the stubborn soil Of my faith :,
IS heart The seed did not fall altogether,
Tom johnson supposed, upon stony places.
ONE OF them have sprung up, as in our own :
ghly favored heritage, and borne fruit a r
lndred fold. Let us thank God, then, who q
lth enabled us abundantly to gather the !,
ARREST; for peace is once more at our fire d
de; the wife has regained her husband, and e
e orphans have found their father. h
WIVES OF WORKING MEN. Speaking Of /
c middle ranks Of life, a good writer OBJ 81
rves there we behold womanl in all her a
DRY; not doll to carry silks and jewels, n
ot Il puppet to be dangled by tops, an idol Of Re
rofane alteration, reverenced to-day, discard
| tomorrow; admired, but not respected A
ssred, but not esteemed; ruling by passion,
1t affection imparting her weakness, not II
sr constancy, to the sex which she should ft
lalt, the source and mirror of vanity; we t[
e her as a wife partaking the. cares, and It
hiding the labors of her husband, land by her v
'mestic diligence spreading cheerfulness {,
'ound her; for his sake sharing the decent 2
fincments of the world without being vain
them; placing all her joy, all herhappiness
the merted appreciation of the man she r,
ives. AS a mother, we find her the affec- y
onate, the ardent instructress of the children a
e has tended from their infancy; training