Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-05


come back" -"
"That's the drift, eh?' said he, speaking
aloud, we'll boy, it strikes me that you are
rather bold to ask favors of hard man, as you
just now insinuated that was But let that
pass, can forgive all that, I always forgive
them as abuse me. will try and arrange it
with you. But don't never let anybody say
that am hard-hearted to you, boy, mind that.
always calculate to accommodate the poor and
unfortunate. WE'LL what rent? how much
will your mother pay?"
" Perhaps three hundred dollars, " said Leon,
who willingly named a high figure
"You don't expect it, boy it's insulting to
ask it, Why, it's worth twice that, easy. But
l can't daily here. Here's my best offer, and
here'sa witness, said Slocum, as Tom Golf,
neighbor, stepped on to the veranda. II will
let your mother stay for three years-three mind
you-I wont say any longer, for five hundred
dollars year. What say, boy?"
" why, if it is your best proposition, see no
other way but to accept it, said Leon, who
wrs glad to make any terms, and who knew too
well the character he had to deal with, to at
tempt to move him to better
I" Very well, you can rely upon my honor"
answered Slocum, as he obeyed Il call from the
bar.
Leon passed round the corner of the veranda,
to the bar-room door, and looked in. 1t was
no strange sight to him-but sad sight, never
theless-and to whom would it not be sad? A
father spending his time and money in carous-
ing with the very dregs of humanity-drunken
companions. He stepped in and called
"Father "
" But" " father was too much engaged, to
hear the call Of q guardian child.
Fathtr father !" he repeated.
But the carousing continued, and Leon was
unnoticed He stood up by the great stove,
and waited till he met his fathers eye.
Father Come
$50 along. Don't wait for me. can't go,
yet, said John Howard.
"Come, father. nO,O, said Leon, earnestly.
$50 along, say. What you waiting for? :"
"I'm waiting for you. Mother wants you
should come now."
81 tell you can't go now"
That boy, again! Boot the blockhead. :"
said one Of the crowd.
"Dont you know the way home?" said an
other.
:: Here, take some," said third, Ainging q
glass of whiskey punch in his face.
"I'H fix him. said the father, as he raised
heavy cane, and brought it down on the poor
boys shoulders d" Take that-andi itha-"
But Leon Howard had endured enough. For
his father, he could endure jeers and insults
without finchng-FrOm his father, he felt it
was too much. Silent and thoughtful, he pur-
sued his way home. His cup of bitterness was
full
"lt is TERRIBLE" he mused, " terrible.
have 40 choice in the matter | can do moth
ing here, certain. Everything against me.
But who can tell what may turn up when |
get where can push ahead. shall succeed
am sure of il. Nothing like trying, at all
events. If father 10W be drunkard, the
more need of my being man, | ouuht to
have been one before-I must be now. can
not stand quietly by, and see the old home go.
1t is high time to act. If am ever to do any,
thing for mother or myself, it is time to begin.
If mother and Emma can only manage to stay
there q few years-and I believe they can,
though on hard terms-T am sure [ can do
much to assist them. How strangely father
has managed. If he could only knolO how much
misery he is nacting-but-I hope he will
see, sometime 1t is dark hour, but there
may be lighter ones ahead. If was only away
--but--l must cheer up. Try again must be
my motto.
If Mt first you don't succeed,
Try, try again"
am too young to give up with 50 much at
stake.
''If you only perseyere,
You will conquer, never fear.
Try, try again.
Thus thinking, and trying to nerve himself
for the struggle, which he knew awaited him,
he walked up the road, through the garden
gate, and along up the graveled walk.
1t was bright, silvery moon-lit night. An
air of sadness seemed to pervade everything, as
he moved along. He had walked there many
times, but never with the same emotions. I'M
pelled by some unseen, but irresistible force, he