Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-03-02
Father and Sen, or Two Pledges.


nov known as Lake George. in the eastern
pau Of New York, there lived feN years
ago, q clergyman. His happy family Of
FIVE daughters, and darling son, boy Of
more than ordinary promise, were growing
up, under the influence and instructions Of
parents, such rs few children could boast. |
Happy among themselves. with their home |
amidst the most beautiful scenery in nature,
life seemed to them bright and glad real
iiy. But occasionally, shade Of anxiety
might have been detected on the usually
calm brows OF both father aud mother.
The time at which my story commences,
was before the days OF Temperance. Ii was
when every family kept a supply Of ardent
spirits constantly on hand and children
were accustomed to taste the dangerous
beverage daily So il was in this family.
The little "Dennie," accustomed erery
morning to his glass Of bitters, and 10
treat every time a friend called upon the
family during the day, soon began 10 show
decided fondness for the intoxicating
drink. and sought for more frequent occa-
sions TO crafty his taste. His parents saw
his growing appetite with alarm, and often
admonished him, but with little effect his
appetite increased, and more than once they
had the modification Of seeing their prom
ising boy in state OF evident int0ried-
tion Various were the remedies they tried,
but with little good and they could only
hope that time, aud his own good sense,
would at length enable him TO control the
habit that threatened to ruin him But an
, even, occurred which blasted every hope.
aud they saw nothing before their child but
a drunk ards life and a drunkard's grave.
One morning little Dennie came running
in with the eager NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Mr.
Smith is going 10 have raising this alter
noon, and James has invited me May
goi "My son. If your father thinks it
best, you may CO." his mother replied
His fathers consent was readily obtained !;
and after dinner he started of full Of hap
by anticipations. Arrived at The place, his
attention was occupied for time in the
erection Of the building; too soon, however,
he discovered keg on the premises which
his ready genius quickly told him contained
his fayoriie beverage. Without moments
hesitation he asked for drink--it was given
him he asked for another. and then anoth-
er, and before the afternoon was half gone,
"Dennie" was dead drunk; and the work
men had laid him on board under tree.
. About four o'clock his father called TO &C
|, company him home not seeing him about
! he eagerly inquired for his child; they point
|. ed him TO the place where he lay. With q
. heart lnil OF sbIro~ nc Ca''ieu niIn "o,"s
J TO his mother and sisters. Together, hi.
= parents watched by his bed during the te
. dious night that followed, not knowing bu
al in
death but fully resolved if he lived, not Il
leave untried, any effort that might promise
!, 10 save him. 1t was not until the evening
" OF the second day that he was restored Il
. perfect consciousness. His parents though
: II bes, not 10 speak 10 him Of the cause o
: his illness for some days. hoping his owI
. reflections would do him much more good
) but in this they we're dsappointed-he di'
!, not exhibit the first symptom of renorse
y or consciousness tina, he had done wrong
!. About week after the event Just related
n. his father invited him one pleasant morning
a to take walk. Their road lay along tn
n. shore Of the lake, and was lined with state
4 " trees on either side. For time the
~ walked on in silence. His father was IN
70 usually grave; and Dennie found enoug
ar :" ue u'"e q; 1870 '"'' A. ,,h -"
a. 20 occupy n'' auen,ion. n. 'e"g ~. s sne
Ill stopped oy ,he sue o. 'ne "s'r,' ~. ,a' ;
4 er mrs, broke tue shence- Denn'e' sd,
ly he, 40 you know wna. was s', .na' MAG
"a you SICK 'he o'net uay WY, sui
n. pose ! o,a rank, 100 mucn run, ne a'uess,y u
No think you are in danger Of becoming
an oIuhks'o ny 'a'ns.; H"o" g.
a zen me 80, ou' a'n "o' a,'a'u VI ". 10
oh arins run every oay' ahu you arc nv
ID. aIunNs'u anu "". '.';,i r. o'u e"oSsn
H. nho" now ",ucn y WIN 90 'o' a,e 70 u''"'
nd n men ! can heep from pe'hg u,ahh, 700 ',
,ly iney sea's" sne'.'Ssl.ss ou ,oSs nes' y
nd sno'e' anu "osi ia',h,u,y u'u n's 'a'n
re. sPeaA u 'ne evns VI ,,erpe' anoe VIZ
re- 'aSlng a sns' gola wa'en lIon Jus PovN.
les wnlcn Denn'e nsu loug aesueu ~ cur .
ay own, NC ea'u, Dsn,e, y you "nn P,oni
rise me ana' you WI. ne'e' u,'nA nhy "v y:,, 'ul
he ! VIII g"1 YOU '''s so,u "a'e" "m y
lily 90 niS'ng from ms seat anu 'ooSi'
a