Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-22
Choose Ye.
A STORY FOR BOYS.

The town clock has just struck
, four; a welcome sound to scores OF
school-boys, who, gladly throwing
aside their books, were soon hasten
ing to the green, for game of cricket,
ball, or whatever might come up in
the way of fun.
:. While many entered at once into
the sports of the hour with boyish
ardor, others threw themselves lazily
upon the grass-while, here and
there, knots of three and four gathered
eagerly talking over the many sub
IJectS interesting to boys.
4 Under tall spreading oak, stood
a tall handsome youth, speaking with
great earnestness to a group sur
rounding him, only occasionally in
terrupted by a younger, delicate look
ing boy, who seemed to be taking the
opposite side of the question.
The subject discussed was tenn
lperance lecture, delivered the pre-
vious evening in the Town Hall, and
listened to by many of the school
boys.
"This signing the Temperance
Pledge is all a humbug," exclaimed
Clinton Russell, who appeared to be
the principal speaker. What is
your self-control No one need be a
drunkard unless he choose l for one
am not afraid | can trust myself !;
and as for total abstinence, it's sheer
noncense; | believe in enjoying all
the good things Of this life"
But strong drink is not good
thing, but a bad thing invented 1 be-
lieve by the devil" said Henry Fisher
his pale face flushing with excitement
while his fingers nervously twisted
the buttons of his well-worn jacket
Well, it may be bad thing fol
those who can not use it with moder
alton" returned Clinton; "but | NEAR
to be a moderate, gentlemanly drink
er; and one has only to make up hi
! mind to stop whenever he pleases
you know"
WELL" rejoined Henry, " [ hav
made up my mind never to begir
and l mean to sign the pledge, and
God helping me-to keep it Ho7
} can we pray ''deliver us from evil"
) we put our feet right into the net ?
am in earnest boys. l thought it a
s over last night, and [ have made u
: up mind" So saying, he turne
l quietly away, leaving the boys to fiji
;, ish the discussion by themselves
: When he was quite out of hearing
Clinton laughingly remarked.
No wonder Hen Fisher is littl,
afraid you know what miserabl,
sot his father was, and [ should think
his example would be enough, without
any pledge; and my fathers example
lis enough for me, he added, with a
little pride in his tone.
Il see father take his wine every
day, and he is none the worse for it
and he often says-though of course
he does not approve Of drinking with
every one, or in every place-that a
glass of wine occasionally, is very
beneficial. So three groans for the
Temperance Society
Thus saying, he turned, boyish
fashion, heels over head on the soft
grass, followed by all the others, who
looked up at him as their leader
and loved him too, for his gay, good
humor, and ready wit.
Ten years passed. The old year
> 1856 had been lain away during the
night, in the grave past, and was well
nigh forgotten, as new thoughts, new
hopes, new aspirations, gathered
around the advent of another child o.
Time. Merrily rang out the bells
their glad welcome to the New Year
} and brightly rose the sun upon it
throwing his beams far and wide
over the pure and yet unbroken snow
? which lay like winding-sheet above
t the bosom of departed years.
The trees bent beneath their feecy
burden, and as the morning air stirred
their branches, they glistened likt
, purest gems. All nature seemed tc
5 offer praise, and feelings of gratitud,
! and love filled many hearts, and foun(
| expression in prayer and thanksgiv
: ing.
: Strange that any could stand upol
the threshold of a New Year, with nj
S thought of the Author of Time, M
s acknowledgement of past mercies, NJ
: prayer for strength to meet the trials
t temptations and duties OF the future
: A few hours later, and friends wer
L exchanging kind wishes, and expires
e sions of good will. Alas, that thos'
e who call themselves our friends
/; should sometimes prove our creates
u enemies .-
In many beautiful home, On man
q a hospitable table, in the hands Q
. many fair ones even, sparklee tn
wine-that which sat the last bitet
p like serpent, and stingeth like a
: adder" and many yielded to the III
q vitation of would be friends, to drinl
v to Happy New Year; many on tina
! \ bright beautiful day, took the frs
. step in that way which leads to sur
r and everlasting destruction.
al Clinton Russell resolved, as b
! stepped into his sleigh, that no intox
;. eating drink should pass his lips tha
a day; and his thoughts reverted to tn
. discussion On the village green te
! years before, and his own words cam
. . back to his memory, "One has onl
: to make up his mind 92
:, Poor Clinton! young though b
" r. was, he had already yielded to th
. tempter, and proved the bitterness
= = of sin. That fearful habit, whic
: q when once formed binds its victim
q and leads him captive, had thrown
tobain around him which alowlv hr