Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-27
A Christmas Present.
" Was that Phil Demming ?"

speaker DuG why Olun you speak
to him? l thought you and he were
once great friends. What's happen
cd :"
We were great friends, and I
think a good deal of Phil now; but
our set has discarded him, and it
won't do for any of US to associate
with him."
why, pray ?"
" Oh, great deal. The fact is,
Phil is a good fellow, but weak in
some things, and his conduct of late
has been disgraceful."
What conduct, Jackson ?"
"Why, havn't you heard ?"
a have heard some unpleasant
things about Phil, but nothing that
should outlaw him from the common
courtesies of life. From what have
heard he has been more sinned against
than shining"
You are always ready to take the
part Of such people, | know. I can
not. For the last year or more, Phil
has been going down hill. A good
fellow naturally, but has made fool
of himself, and last month, he lost his
place in the bank. And this after
noon, there is meeting of the church,
and | shouldn't wonder ii he was
turned out. Such conduct is dis
graceful, and must not be tolerated.
" Indeed! and has no effort been
made to arrest him in his course a.?
Has Mr.. Doe, your minister, done his
duty? Have you, jackson? Why
not get him into the remplarS ?"
TemplarS! Do you suppose that
our people would have anything to do
with that set of people ?"
"But | hear that it is a good inSti-
tution-the Lodge-and doing great
good. 1t might save Phil Demming.
Edward Ray joined three months
ago, and you wouldn't know him"
What! drunken Z d Ray-old
Rays Ed?"
"The same"
:" don't want to know him"
" But he too, was once a friend OF
yours, and is man Of fine parts when
he lets liquor alone"
" did once make considerable of
the fellow, but when he took to drink
so hard, | cut him"
"Don't you sometimes drink, Jack
SOM"
" Certainly, Harding, but I never
make fool of myself. | cannot bear
drunkard."
Well, if you are strong why not
help those who are weaker ?"
/" | have as much as | can do to
look after my own affairs. As to your
Templars, as you call them, I've no
objectin to their doing good, but in
my position, l could not think of as
sociating with such people"
Does the gospel you profess, teach
you so, Jackson ?"
The latter colored, and curtly bade
me good morning. He was one of
the leading young men in his church
and so was Phil Demming, up to the
time his habits became a matter of
public talk in the streets. | felt
grieved-indignant. Phil was far
the noblest man naturally; genial
gentlemanly, and full-hearted; one
Of those beings who are ruined the
quickest when once on the way. He
had formed his drinking habits in the
very society which now turned to
revile aud rend him; within the very
influence of the fashionable church
whose prominent members made fre.
quent and generous use of "pure
wine"
Thought of Phil-of his widowed
mother--hiS sisterS-his beautiful
young wife and children, and before
was aware, my eyes were hot with
tears, and my warmeSt Sympathies
awakened. New and strange thoughts
took form in my mind; faint at first
but crystalizing, until my heart throb-
bed with a new purpose. | felt that
had not done my duty by Phil. Poor
Carrie l knew her when she was a
girl. How she suffered in these
troubles.
"Rayr'
Good morning Harding" said
the gentleman, as | addressed hin
across the street, and Immediately
joined me at the crossing.
How is your Lodge doing ?"
carelessly inquired, for was not then
a Temperance man, and was afraid
to manifest any interest in the unpo
pular movement.
"Oh, fnelyT' and his eye kindled
for he spoke proudly.
"Done a great deal of good, hear
l aT glad of it, for really, there is
much need OF 1t IN this place at the
lpresent time. By the way" / con
tinued, a am sorry to hear these re
ports about Phil Demming. He il
!, really one of the finest young men il
the village. 1t is really too bad
wish something could be done. DE-
you suppose your institution could
help him, Ray?'
Rays face beamed with eagerness
for he had not expected such thing
from me.
q Yes, Harding, if he would COM
in with US, and work, it would maxi
man of him, know. Indeed, i
would, sir! Worse men than Phi
have been helped. Harding, if there
E is a man in this town who can infu
,, ence Phil, it is you. You can get hin
in, if you will only come IN yourself.
| was startled, for Ray had boldl,
struck at the heart of the matter
: Tor n moment 7 knew not what +