Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-09-01
miscellaneous.
The Old Mans Story.

| shall never forget the commencement of the
temperance reformation. | was child mt the
time, Of sone ten wears Of are. Our home had
every comfort, aud INV parents idnliznd me their
my father and mother frequently gave 1t to me
in the morning glass.
One Sunday at church, n startling announce
men was made 10 The people. knew nothing
of ITS purport, bul there was mnch whispering
among the men. The pastor said that on the
next evening there would be meeting, and ad
dress upon tha evils of inpmperance in the nse
Of alcoholic drinks. He expressed himself lgno
rant of the obi ct of the meeting and could not
say what course it would be best to pursue in
The matter.
The subject of the meeting came mp at our
ther upon it with all the curious eagerness of a
child. The whispers and words which had been
dropped in my hearing, clolhed the whole affair
with great mystery to me, and was anxious
to learn the strange hing. My father merely
said il was scheme to unite church and State.
The night came, and groups of people gather
ed on the tavern steps, and heard the jest and
laugh, and saw drunken men come reeling out
of The bar room. urged my father to let me
90, bu, he at first refused Finally, thinking it
would be an innocent qualification Of my curios.
ity, he put on his hat, and we passed across the
green 10 the church. | remember well how the
people appeared as they came in, seeming to
wonder what kind of an exhibition was to come
off,
In the corner was the tavern-keeper, md round
pie of the place continued to come 10, until here
was a fair house full. All were curiousy look
ing at the door wondering what would appear
next. The pastor stole in and took seat be-
hind pillar under the gallery, as if doubtful of
the propriely of being in church at all.
Two men finally came in and went 10 the al
tar and took their seats. All eyes were fixed
apon them, and general stiffness prevailed
Throughout the house.
The men were unlike in appearance, one be-
ing short, thick set in his build, the other tall
and well formed. The younger had the manner
and dress of clergyman, a full round face. and
quiet good natured look, as he eisurey looked
round over the audience.
But my childish interest was all in the man.
His broad, deep chest, and unusual height, look
ed glant-llke as he strobe slowly up the aisle.
His hair was white, his brow deeply scanned
with tuFsows, and around his handsome mouth,
lines OF calm and touching sadness. His eye
was black and restless, and kindled as the tavern
keeper uttered low jest aloud. HIS lips were
compressed and crimson flush went and came
over his pale cheek. One arm was off above
the elbow. and there was wide scar over his
right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the oh.
jecl Of The meeting and asked # there was
clergyman present to open it with prayer.
Our pasl"r kept his seat and the speaker mad,
Il short prayer, and then made short address, a
the conclnsl"n cahug upon any one present tt
'"ake remarks. The pastor rose under the gal
ery. ana utacked the positions of the speaker
using the arguments which have often heard
i nee, and concluded by denounciug those en-
gagged IN the new movement, as meddesu
fanatics, who wished to break up the time hon
ored ueuges OF good society," and rjure the busI
ness of respectable men. AT the conclusion o
his remarks, the tavern keeper and his TREND.
got mp n cheer, and the current OF feeling wal
evidently agal, st The strangers and their plan
While the pastor was speaking, the old maj
had fixed his dark eye upon him, and eanet
forward as If 10 catch every word.
As the pasinr took his seat the old man arose
hls tall form towering IN its symmetry, and hi
breast swelling as be inhaled his breath throng
his thin, dllated nosriIs. To me, at that time
there was something awe inspiring and grand il
the appearance OF the old man, as he stood witt
his toll eye upon The audience, his teeth shu
hard, and a silence like that of death throug CHOU
tho church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern keeper, an
that peculiar eye fingered and kindcd for half
moment.
/ The scar grew red upon his forehead and be
meath his heavy eyebrows his eyes glittered an
glowed like the ssrpent's. The tavern keepe