Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-09-14
MONTPELIER, VERMONT,

told me IN relation 10 our sons smoking. went
over in my mind the necessity of tobacco, its ex.
pense to the consumer. | considered the effects
which had read it produced on the human sys-
tenn, and resolved that it would not do for my
children to use it and TO prevent this, | further
resolved that would not again have to do with
cigars or with tobacco in any form. SO you now
know, Mr.. c., that do not smoke, and my rea-
sons for my change of conduct y
~ am reoiced," said Mr. c., at what you
have now told me and [ think you will have
reason forever to be glad that you are free from
the filthy habit think, in the effect on your
sons, you will have reason to rejoice in the
course you have pursued"
YES" said Mr.. S., 81 think so too have
thought much of late of the power of fathers
example on sons. ] have no doubt my little boys
were induced to smoke by my practice. | think
we fathers ought to consider more than we have
done on this subject. We are too much inclin-
ed TO think our children do not notice our con-
duct, and are uninhuenced bylour actions, buIthe
incident narrated to me by smy good wife, of
which have now spoken to you, has opened my
eyes-and feel as | never before felt on the
subject"
81 agree with YOU" remarked Mr.. c., Gin
your conclusion in regard to the effect of the
fathers example on his sons. 1t is powerful,
very powerful"
"True" uttered Mr.. S., 81 bless God almost,
that my little sons were caught by their mother
putting cigars. AS said to you before, the mode
they adopted to Judge for themselves had very
good effect on me and my wife hoped it would"
Have you seen any good effects already, of
your abstinence from the use of tobacco on your
children?" inquired Mr. C..
" | have" he replied. "Ther mother told
me since, as she was one day sitting in the front
parlor, she thought she heard the children, who
were in the adjoining room, saying something a.
bout their father. She said she thought that they
were talking about my smoking. So she chang
ed her chair, and drew near to the door by which
the two rooms are connected, and unobservcd by
them, sat down. She soon found they we're re-
ally talking about my smoking" said Mr. S.
Well asked NJ. c., what did she hear the
little fellows say that they had seen you smoke
that dayF
No, indeed replied Mr. S. 'They could
not say that; for have not touched cigar
since the memorable evening before alluded to-
when | resolved never to smoke again. Why
the little rogues were wondering what it was that
could have induced me to leave off smoking"
Did your wife hear of any reasons assigned
by them asked Mr.. c., (which in their opinion,
had wrought the change in your
j believe she did, Mr.. s. answered. She
said that, Thomas said he guessed Pa thinks so
much smoking makes him sick. Frederick said
he guessed Pa thought he couldn't afford it, the
times were so hard i SUPPOSE said Mr.. s.,
they have heard me talk about hard times of
late Little George said (you know he is a
bright little felow,) he guessed mother told him
how she caught US smoking in the garden the
other day, behind the peach trees"
WELL said Frederick, guess that is the
reason He never said anything to US about it,
and guess he thought we'd tell him. as did
mother, that it was no worse for us to smoke than
for him."
Il mean to ask father tonight, when he comes
home to supper said little George, why he
don't smoke now
DO, do, said both his brothers.
WELL said Mr.. c., did the little fellow ask
your
He did, indeed replied Mr.. s. Gas came
home, noticed my wife at the front door, with
little George, and that both were looking as tho
they had something to say to me. When reach
ed them, my wife beckoned to me to step one
side, when she told me the conversation of the
boys which she had overheard, and the errand
which little George was about to execute, and
then left me. The little fellow then stepped up
and said
pa, why don't you smoke now days, after
breakfast, and dinner, and supper, as you used
to do ?
Why said l, Il don't know; what makes
you ask that question, my SOM
90 said Georra OnIv want fo know1 n
> What makes you want to know ? asked.
!, Frederick and Thomas, and l have been
guessing about it, that's all said George
Well said to my little boy, Go and cal
your brothers i'll 10 me, and come yourself with
them
: THE boys said Mr. S., soon came in. anc
| told them what little George had just told me
about their guessing for the reasons why haC
left off smoking l asked Frederick if that wa,
the case. He felt little shy about speaking
fearing, l suppose, that was offended, so l tolC
them l was not at all displeased with them fol
guessing about the matter, only | wanted tc
know little more in regard to it. Being thus
; put at ease, he replied that they had been guess
!, ing for the reason of my not smoking. | ther
informed that had given up the practice; ant
honestly told them the way in which the chang,
: had been effected. told them their mother hac
l acquainted me with her discovery Of them in thu
u garden with their cigars, and likewise, with tn
! reasons they gave in justification of their conduct
+ [ frankly said to them that had RETAINED from
reproving them for their conduct because fel
, condemned for setting them such an example.
! told them had come to the conclusion that tn
, use of tobacco was wrong, and that should us
it no more. told them how loved them, am
+ that would submit to any sacrifice Tor the
good and such was my conversation with then
II that could not refrain from weeping myself am
seeing me in tears, the boys wept freely likewise
Before left them, asked them if they though
L they should smoke any more
Frederick said he should not, and so di
Thomas; | asked little George if he thought h
> should wish to smoke again.
I mo, papa; you say it is wrong to smoke, an
Y you say you shall not smoke, and so won't
h Il then told them, said Mr.. S., they might g
d out. l eltgreatly relieved, I assure you, Mr.. {
r by this conversation with the boys. | felt that
o had gained them, by my ceasing to set them a