Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-11-03
What Shall / Do I

w nat 0udll DO
abridged from Temperance Tala by 7. 8 Arhutl
In few short weeks after he had
: signed the Pledge-for he had been
; a very hard drinking man-every-
thing about the person and dwelling
of Simpson became emarkably
changed He was good workman,
and could earn fair wages at his
: trade. Instead Of idling half Of his
time, and spending more than half Of
what he earned in drink he worked
all of his time, aud placed in the
hands of his prudent wife every dol
lar he made. This accounted for
the change.
Thus matters went on for nearly
year. when the excitement of ex-
perience meetings, and variety
Of means of keeping up an interest
among reformed men, and occupying
their minds, having subsidized, Simp-
son began TO feel restless and lone
some, and was often tempted TO drop
into some Of his old places of resort,
and pass an evening in good fellow
snip with former associates.
As this state Of dissatisfaction in
creased, Simpson became more and
more unhappy. He wanted some
thing TO sustain him-something
extra to his mere pledge. Deeply
conscious of this, and conscious that
he was in imminent danger OF falling,
he became anxious, gloomy, and de-
spending.
One evening, after sitting at home
for an hour, and reading over the
newspaper of the day, even to the
advertisements, he took his hat and
said
81 believe I'll walk OH, for awhile
| feel SO dull"
His wife looked up at him and
tried to SMILE. But she felt troubled;
for she had noticed for some time
that he was not altogether himself.
What the cause was, she did not
know. But wife is never far wrong
in her conleclures.
When Simpson left his house,
he walked away, with his eyes
upon the pavement, undetermined
where he should go. He had gone
out merely because be felt too rest
less to stay at home. Now that be
was in the street, he felt as dissatisfied
as ever. Moving on with slow
measured tread, he had gone a dis
lance of two or three squares, when
his ear caught the sound OF music is
suing from a noted drinking cstab-
lshment, short distance ahead
Quickening his pace, he was soon in
front Of the house, when he paused
to listen. The music was from a
hand organ, the owner of which
having been employed bv the rum
seller as a means of drawing custom,
and succeeded admirably. Simpson
came near being enticed within the
charmed circle of his bar-room. But
just as no had placed his foot on the
threshold, his better sense came to
his aid, and he tore himself away.
Walking on again with his head
down, he felt still more wretched.-
The danger he had just escaped
made him fearfully aware Of the dan
gers that beset him on every side.--
So wrought up in mind did he be-
come, under a sense Of his condition,
that, shuddcring from vivid picture
of himself again m abandoned
drunk ard, which his Imagination had
conjured up, he stopped suddenly,
and said aloud;
"God help me - What shall 4
do ?"
A hand was laid upon his Shout
der, aud voice, that he had heard
before, said in surprised accents:
Simpson Is it you 7 What
is the trouble now 7"
II was Merrill, who had encoun-
tered him again, just a, a critical
moment. Simpson turned quickly,
when he felt hand upon his shout
der, and looked into the face of the
intruder half siernly.
What ails you now, my friend !"
resumed Merrill. GA good temper
ance man should never be troubled
in mind"
'1You think SO. Well, perhaps
not"
" You're a good temperance man."
I" am not so sure of that
Whatp said Merrill, in quick,
surprised voice, "you have not
broken-"
"No, no. Not yet. But heaven
only knows how soon may do So
am beset with temptations that it
seems impossible for me 10 with
stand"
Z Ii was not so at first.
ANo. The excitement Of meet
ngs and concerts, and the relation of
occupied my mind
But tn ese have died away, and am
thrown back upon myself again--my
weak, weak self. Ii do not fall it
will be miracle. see every tavern
pass in the streets, aud think, spite
ofalI my efforts to keep such things
put Of my mind, Of the mixed liquors
hat would thrill my taste like nee
ar, which are there TO be obtained.
What shall do feel as If spirits
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