Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-12
MONTPELIER.

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stockings proportioned and muscular
he was man of powerful make, and we'll
balanced mind Passionate and strong in every
seuse Of the word, 50 long as he was surrounded
by right influences, he was strong for good
swayed from the straight course, he was equal
ly intent on evil.
Five years before the opening of our story,
Howard seemed as little likely to become
drunkard as the most favored and when he
came to himself, he was as much surprised and
as heartily ashamed as one could be. lie had
fallen little by little, without ever realizing
that he was going down, till he found himself
at the bottom of the ladder. Beating his own
child, who was sent to snatch him from the
very jaws of destruction, was the bottom step
which brought him to himself. Extremes meet.
His intense depravity awoke him.
For a time after Leon left he went on with
his revels, but as twilight deepened into night.
and night faded into day, and he found it i'm
possible to keep from thinking over and over
again the enormty Of his offence, he came to
a conclusion, and ceased drinking. A thought
suggested itself, and he determined to act upon
it.
" Yes; there's no mistake about it," he
said, to himself earnestly. " have carried
this business too far. Good heavens is it pos
sible that l am a drunkard? Why, l detest
drunkards-I never could endure them-they
are the dregs of humanity. Strange couldn't
have seen the pit. But I'm dO,on-that's fat.
1t don't admit of a question The old home
stead is gone, and my family are homeless.
am determined-but determinations don't mend
the matter. | must sOork have torn down
long enough, and now I'll build up again
But hardly know where to begin though. l
can't 60 home and cry for pardon-I despise
sentiment besides, I should fail if made the
attempt. must see Goodman he's the man
Tor advice"
Now John Howard was a resoIute man, and
he had formed most excellent resolution. He
had conceived the dim outlines of q plan for
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himself with his family, on a more enduring
aud endearing basis than ever before.
Daniel Goodman was the village doctor. He
was man with soul, ready and willing and
anxious, at all times, to do another favor
without present or prospective profit, " for the
satisfaction of the thing" as he expressed it.
He had been an ardent friend of the Towards
in their more prosperous days, and had done
what he could to stay the downward career of
the drunkard. 1t was about seven O'Clock in
the morning that DR.. Goodman was arranging
his disordered Office, that Howard stepped un-
tremendously into his presence.
" Good morning, doctor"
g Good morning. Mr.. Howard" said DR..
Goodman, warmly extending his hand "Why,
you look like John Howard again lam really
happy to see you looking so well. What has
changed you so suddenly"
Wretchedness, doctor. The cup was sweet
at first, but it had bitter dregs. have drank
enough of that, and now am going to try an
other"
Good Glad to hear you've drank enough
of that Success, Mr.. Howard. wish you
the most complete success. Why, you de-
serve"
"NOne of that, none of that, DOCTOR" said
Howard, quickly. For decency's sake, don't
talk about my deserts. didn't come here to
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we'll talk of deserts when deserve something
better than l now do. But the fact is here
my farm is sold. l am miserable drunkard.
| cannot meet my family in the shameful plight
they are now in. must redeem my honor.
have lost all. must redeem myself first and
then my property. And then-who can re-
proaCh me then? But hotO can do this p
: That is the question
"Ah! see. Well, Mr.. Howard, can
think Of no better way, under the circum.
F. stances, than for you to go home and 60 tC
: work You have paid for the farm once, anG
: can again"
"Daniel Goodman said Howard firmly
| you must give me better advice than that
! True, bought the farm once, and paid for il
a one thousand dollars; now must pay six thou
t sand; then could work; now am broken
). down, with only five hundred dollars in my
] pocket No, sir, shall do no such thing"
d But what will you dO?" asked Goodman
# 81 am going to the West. There, if any
d where, | can get back what I've thrown away.
/. 4" 1t strikes me-"