Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-09

Before these prosperous times came, Mr.
Willis used to 60 regularly with his family
to church, every Sabbath but he had no
inclination TO attend public worship now -
He would much rather stay at home and
think over his plans g. business for the COM
ing week.
Years went by with the almost speed of
days. His children grew up aud passed
from under his care. One soon became dis
sipaied, another fell into dishonest practl-
ces, aud his oldest daughter was married to
man whose unkindncss and evil courses
were breaking her heart These things be-
gan TO disturb, seriously, the mind of Mr..
Willis. Eager as be was for more money,
and successful as were all his Efforts to at
tain it, he could not be Indifferent to these
sad consequences ofhis neglect of his chill
dren.
One day there was presented to Mr.. VIII
lis the opportunity of making very large
sum of money, provided he woud enter IN
to a scheme that must certainly result in
serious loss and injury to others. The only
thing that made him hesitate about entering
into this scheme, was the fear that his rep
u.ation might suffer lie though; nothing
Of what his neighbors might lose, Nor Of the
spiritual injury that be would himself sus-
tam. All day he pondered over the golden
opportunity that had presented itself, aud,
IN the evening, he siill thought about It,
while sitting alone, as he was now accus-
toned to do, IN the parlor, musing on plans
for getting more gam. Every Argument,
for and against the scheme, was carefully
weighed, and at length II was deliberately
settled in bis mind, that he would enter into
IT, and risk all danger of suffering in the
good opinion Of others.
While contemplating, in pleasant mood,
the rich return he would yet from tins new
mode of acquiring wealth, be was disturbed
by the entrance OF some one. and looking
up, he saw the venerable old man vino had
visited him ga the same place, Years before.
lis countenance was not 50 AMID as then
blt upon ii there rested severe expression.
lie advanced close to Mr.. Whlls. and stood
looking at hlm for somo time ia silence
At length he siid-
You have had your WISH.
a tfemor and fear seized upon the
heart Of Mr.. Willis.
God has given you over, continued
The old man, To your own evil msts-
Wisely he withheld from you that which He
knew would prove TO be your rum and the
ruin of your children but YOU complained
against hun. With pleasant home mno-
cent children, aud all things neediul for
bodily comfort aud worldly well-belng, YOU
were not satisfied. You en,ied your neigh
bors the goods they possessed, and made
yourself miserable because YOU were nos as
rich as they were and now, IN your eager
49, lii nh,
great wrong-you are about robbing ia
, fact. your neighbnr al what IS rghuuily his.
VIII this make YOU happy No,-ouly
the wise aud good are happy \ conscience
stained with evil is no pleasant companion.
Are YOU better man for the wealth YOU
/ have been permitted 10 accumulate No,
YOU are worse man. and your eternal
/ condition will be huudred-iaid more mis-
cradle. And how is It with your children,
/ the precious Jewels gwen into your care by
God What account of them are YOU pre-
pared 70 render p
At these words the mind Of Mr. Willis
} was filed with anguish
Come, said the strange monitor, and
lee moved toward the door An impulse,
that he could not resist, caused Mr. Willis
/ to follow hlm. A. he stepped into the hall,
he started at the sight of one of his sons
= lying m deep inloxlcaton upon the floor.
e There Is one Of these precious Jewels,
D SAID the olG man, sleruly. His ruin is the
price YOU paid for gold. But come =
The unhappy father moved on after the
mysterious old man, who passed into the
street, and walked rapidly along for con-
siderable distance, until he reached the
|, courthouse, where he entered. At the bar
!, stood the oldest son OF Mr.. Willis, arragn-
= ed for forging the Signature of his employ
er TO check, aud drawing the money. The
trial, 1t seemed had drawn to a close, the
- jury had brought ia their verdict of guilty
;, and tie Judge was pronounclng sentence
e upon the trembling culprt--a sentence o
q Imprisonment for many long years.
= While you were IN the eager pursuit o
4 wealth, said the old man, as the officer toob
:, the criminal ia charge, and bore him away
:, you scarcely thought or cared for YOU
! children. This son, inherIiing from YOU
, desire 10 possess what WAS not his own, wa
=. never taught the evil of theft, and led, witt
all possible diligence, into the practice o
honesty, IN lntle as well as great things
&c No,-you had not time to think about o.
" care for ham. The getting of money wa
ul far more consequence than the splrtus
> health OF your children. But come =
u The old man turned from the courtroom
d, aud the wretched father followed HIM Ia
10 hule while they entered house aud wen
up INTO one of the chambers.
low cry Of fear aud pam fell upon hi
ol ear as he reached the door of this chamber
, As he entered, he saw the husband of III
'e unhappy daughter Jane, With face lik
)" that OF a mad-man, raising d billet of Woo
u with which to strike her. The blow, If
y fell, he was conscious must deprive her q
- life. Instantly he felt pAralyzed ia ever
~ limb The missile hung suspended IN al
:" over the aupro.ecled head OF his child bu
&c he could not move step for her defence
Oe nor could he even cry out. For momen
~ or two there was a Wild struggle ia his be
som then his senses reeled, aud he fe
lis like man falling through space. Sudden
- ~ all was changed. aud he was sitting alon
ng IN his parlor, with his head resting again,
OF the back OF the large cushioned char i
en which he had seated himself Starting W
XXI lie stood Tor some moments on the foo
- st In