Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-03
Temperance.
LITTLE LIZZIE.

If they wouldn't let him have it !! said
Mrs. Leslie. weeping. 20, if they wouldn't
sell him liquor, there'd be no trouble. He's
one Of the best Of men when he doesDt drink.
lie never brings liquor into the house and
he tries hard enough ] know. to keep sober.
but he cannot pass Jeuks's tavern
Mrs. Leslie was talking with a sympathiz
ing neighbor, who responded by saying that
she wished the tavern would burn down, and
that, for her part, she didn't feel any too
good TO apply FIRE TO the place herself Mrs.
Leslie sighed, and wiped away the tears with
her checked apron
1t is hard indeed it is she murmured, TO
see man like jerks growing richer and rich
er every day out of the earnings Of poor
working men, whose families are in want of
bread. For every coin that goes over his
counter. some one is made poorer-to some
heart is given throh Of pain
It's a downright shame exclaimed the
neighbor, Indignantly; If had my way with
the lazy, good -for-nothing fellow, I'd see that
he did something useful. II it was to break
stone on the road Were it my husband, in
stead Of yours that ne entieed into his bar,
depend upon it, he d get himself into trouble.
Whio this conversation was going on,
little girl, not over ten years Old sat i-tvni"s
attentvely After a while, she went quietly
from the room, and throwing her apron over
her head. took her way, unobseryed by her
mother, down the road.
Where was Lizzie going; There was a
purpose in her mind-she had started on a
mission. %, If they wouldn't sell him liquor.
These earnesst fearful words of her mother
had filled her thoughts. II Mr.. jerks would
not sell her father anything to drink, there
would be no more trouble How simple,
how direct the remedy She would go to
Mr.. Jenks. and ask him not to let her father
have any more liquor, and then all would be
well again. Artless, innocent child And
this was her mission.
The tavern kept by jerks, the LATEST man
in Milanvile--he was too lazy to work, and
therefore went to neutrality-suspicious. near
Is quarter of mile from the poor tenement
occupied by the Leslies, Toward this point,
under a hot, sultry sun. Lizzie made her way,
her mind so filled with its purpose that she
was unconscious Of heat or fatigue.
Not long before traveller alighted at the
tavern. After giving directions to have his
horses fed, he entered the bar-room, and went
up to where jerks stood behind the counter.
Have something to drink ? inquired the
landlord.
IN take glass Of water if you please.
jerks could not hide the indifference at
once felt towards the stranger. Very delib-
erately he set a pitcher and glass upon the
counter. and then turned partly away. The
stranger poured out full tumber of water,
aud dra k it off with an air Of satisfaction.
Good water, that Of yours, landlord.
said he.
is it, was returned, somewhat uncourte-
ously.
= ! call it good water, don't you >
Never drink water by itself As jerks
said this, he winked to one Of his customers,
who was ounging on the bar In fact, it's
so long since drank any water, that forget
how it tastes. Don't you, Leslie;
The man to whom this was addressed was
not so far lost to shame as jerks. lie blush
ed and looked confused, as he replied
1t might be bet er for some of US, if we
had not lost our relish for pure water.
A true word spoken, my friend : said the
stranger, turning to the man, whose swollen
visage, and patched threRdbare garments, too
plainly told the story of his sad life. Water,
pure water bright water that is my motto
1t never swels the face, nor infamos the eyes,
nor mars the counienance. Its attendants are
health, thrift and happiness. 1t takes not
wite's garments Water it is one of God
chiefest blessings Our friend the landlord
here, says he has forgotten how it tastes and
you have lost all relish for the refreshing, in
vigorating draught All, this is a sad confess
sion-one which angels might weep to hear :
There were two or three customers az the
bar besides Leslie, to whom this was address,
ed and all Of thom--in spite of the land
.
cd the stranger with attention and respect
Seeing this, Jenks could not restrain himself;
so coming from behind the bar, he advanced
to his side, and laying his hand quite rudely
on his shoulder, said, in peremptory man
ner:
See here, my friend if you are about to
make Temperance lecture, you can adjourn
to the Town Hall or Methodist Chapel
The stranger moved aside pace or two, or
that the hand of jerks might fall from his
person, and then said mildly;
There must be something wrong here, if
man may not speak in praise Of water, without
giving offence
i said you could adjourn your lecture :
The landlords face was now fiery red, and he
spoke with insolence and passion.
o, we'll, as you are president Of the meet
]
arbitrary power Of Judgment, said the stran-
7 ger good humoredly. Il didn't think any one
had so strong dislike of water as to consid-
er its praise an insult
At this moment a child stepped into the
bar-room. Her little face was flushed, and
great beads of perspiration were slowly NOV
ing down her crimson checks, Her step was
elastic, her manner earnest, and her large dark
eyes bright with an earnest purpose. She
| glanced neither to the right nor left, but walk
ing up to the landlord lifted to him her sweet
young face. and said, in tones that thrilled
every heart but his
Please, Mr.. jerks, don't sell papa any
more iquorr
OF home with you this instant ! exclaim-
ed jerks, the crimson of his face deepening to
a dark purple. As he spoke he advanced to-
ward the child, with his uplifted hand, in a
threatening attitude
Please, don't, Mr.. Jenks,' persisted the
child, not moving from where she stood, nor
| taking her ewes from the landlords counte-