Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-08-11
HOW JENNIE SAVED HER HUSBAND.

present custom Of society as regarde the use
of Intoxicating beverages, in anything but
encouraging after having exhausted all the
milder modes of checking the current Of in
temperance, which yearly carries down to
disbonored graves so many thousands Of the
male sex, and then having fallen back upor
the old plan Of damming that current by
aingipg across It the restraints Of statutes
which iegalize slow murder, can call th'
selling Of liquor under license nothing else,
that current of death daily grows deeper AM
broader, the human wrecks along its darl
shores increase in number.and as the red cal
endar OF crime continues to increase and I'll
up before our eyes, we excaim as all hop,
Of reformation, indeed, gone Is there
way yet untried, to shame or drive the de
mon drunkenness swayi Shall Appetite an
its coworker Avsrice. continue forever
conscript our husbands, sons or brothers int
his army Of imbruted slaves ?"
Jenny MAckentyre was a woman remark
able for two important qualities not ofte
found united in either sex; or il found al
not often exerted as will be found in this IL
stance, Mrs. Mackentyre exerted hers. Thes
were the sunshine OF good nature. A yer
short acquaintance would convince one thu
Mrs. M. was person who understood he
woman's rights, and that, she being ready
give others theirs, would never yield h,
own.
Erastus Mackentyre, her husband, WI
like her in these respects. He possesst
strong will and great good nature he all
possessed strong common sense, that rare
Of all qualities He was, at that time
which speak, an agent in the employ
Wayne ~ Co, a New York exporting firm
in the village Of O.. His wife kept fe'
female boarders, who had rooms in the hous
OF whom my informant was one.
Msckentyres business, (tbe purchase
produce had led to a habit still commo
with that calling in the western villages
this state Of adjourning with his produc
patrons to the saloon after delivering the
loads, to warm up, or liquor. IL was again,
his incinations. but he had to go too,
commit breach of business etiquette, an
offend some Of his customers whom he coul
not lose. In obedience to this caprice
custom he drank little at time, it is true
but often, till the fall rush Of business cam
and competition rendered the appliance
every art OF the agent to secure, az h
thought, his share for his employer, necesse
ry. The frequent slipping now produced it
effects, plainly apparent to Mrs Nj, and he
family OF boarderS, yet nothing was said til,
one day, the finest of that autumn, produ
had been unusually brisk
Miss b said, " that little past the tim
OF tea, while We we're sitting by waiting TO-.
the head to come IN, he came, but the worsu
for drink-he did not stagger he was onl,
disguised. His wife saw his condition shr
had said tina, If Eras.ns should ever take To
drink she should take the cure into her own
hands this was her chance to preach TEN
perance.
The table was ready for pouring tea wher
NJ. came in, yet his coming delayed it, Mrs
NJ. continued TO move about in her good ma
tured. quiet way, as usual, giving direction
to her nelp, seeming not quite ready Re
moving his chair from the head Of the tablf
to another room, and stepping to the foot,
sne said
Come, ladies' we will not wait for Eras
tus he is probably detained by a press 0
work which this day has brought him. Nj,
husband can eat when he comes Just a,
well'
This was said in tone and manner tina
made it appear real. We started, looked a
each other, then at Mrs, NJ then at M, VIII
sat on the sofa, rolling his great eyes, fron
which Supplying drink had driven nymphi
of humor and wit, upon his wife. one hanc
feeling his beard, the other trying to find D.
button, or some place to hide in his Goa
pocket.
4" Amt your husband p he said
You, my husband l married Erastu
Mackentyre he is gentleman and an agent.
You are Whisky Jake, Old snelts, the sal
oon-keepers stool pigeon. Ny hasb band, in
deed Come, ladies', don't let this int,ude
spoil our tea" Iat
M. caught his hat and rushed out. Mrs.
M. called after him: ll
If you see my husband, Jake, tell him to
come home as soon as he can leave"
His foot caught in the rug, and be made
false step--the first, and last, from such
cause.
Jennie" said he to his wife, next morn
ing, you are trump; you have saved me
But now did you carry the thing ous so well
Did you know you came near upsetting VIVA
reason yesterdays work had left upon il 4,
throne You zee had an unsual run, ano
you know, what the custom is here of pur
chasers drinking ciinches with their patrons
l had drank too much, knew, bat felt full
ly competent to conceal until came into the
dining-room. Once free from the excitement
OF business. and seated quietly in mJ own
room, confess, | was not myself; but until
you spoke i felt secure that my secret was
undiscovered. Your practical joke finished
me, and when you denied my iden,ity-you,
always SO truthful, and just, the reality Of my
metamorphosis was complete | felt that
was not |; that some Internal Hecate had
transformed me into the wretch you took my
to be. Feeling my beard and finding me
pocket book as had put it when left the
office, did not convince me Of my personality !;
l went into the otfeet. did not stsgger,
but the horrld impression hung to me that
was not myself. | went tn the Office all
there was as had left it | opened the blot
tiers, there the minutes of my last purchase !;
still did not feel satisfied. went to the
glass, that would tell the truth the beard
was mine, and the clothes, but the face-,hat
was not mine The staring eyes sure enough,
were like Whisky Jske's the open mouth
was some like his, only not so large, and the
lips thinner; there was the same blank hor-
ror in the face, and this completely paral,zed
what sense had left with my hat in nv
hand walked over to the Office Of nv friend
DIR. stebbins; lad barely entered. when he
spoke.
ssyVhv u