National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-05-22
as stern and energetic in his man.


did very wrong. apd am willing 10
pay you fox them, If you VIII give
me work. / was in liqaor when |
did it, and when in liquor | have no
distinct consciousness OF the evil OF
my action.'
Give you work, indeed! o, No
John; | cannot give you another
/ chance 10 rob me-
BUT | will not drink any more.
And you know, Mr.. Laukford, that
1 while WAS a sober man, and worked
I for yon, | never wronged yole out OF
Il SiXpencc WORTH
Won't get drank any more. Ali
John. have lived too long in the
world, and have seen too much to
heed such promises
But | am III earnest, Mr. LaHk
ford. | united with the Good lem
plans last night
'You! in a tone OF surprise.
Yes, was initiated.
'Ah, John after u pause, and
shaking his head incrrdulously, |
cannot credit your word, lam sorry
for it,
III ! have taken the pledge and
if | am really determined to be a
reformed man, will Non give me
work. Mir. LlnEford I!
/ The old nan thought few min.
utes, aud then said, half Sorrowfal-
/ ~,
j am afraid OF yo1. John. You
are snch an old offender on the score
OF drunkenness, tiIat | have no con-
lldenee IL your power 10 keep tAc
! | dst.
Then what shall | do I" the poor
wretch exclaimed in tones that made
the old MANS heart thriil-tor ma
turc and pathoS were III Them
Now ! am frying in earnest to do
better no one will give me helping
hand. Heaven help me for | am
forSikcn cl man.
Mr.. LanktUrd stood thoughtful
and ilresolutc for some moments.
/ At length he said f:
N 'tb.Lll. II ' WI w III ~ NIX HlN 1t WI
! tiicite from the Secretary OF your
I Lodge that YOU have joined the
1 Good !'cuplMS, | will give You au-
other trial. But il you diSappoint
me again, you and ! ave done ioreN
err
The countenaMce of Jarvis bright.
cncd INSTANTLY He TUNED quickly
away, without reply. and hurried on
1 10 the store of Nh. ID, the See.
rc,a!A of the Lodge he had joined.
The certificate WAS OF course OBJ
taiEed.
ADD You have joined, sure
cn0ugh,' said Mr. Lanktord, iii a
changed tone, Us he glanced over the
certilcatc.
Indeed | have, Mr.. Lankford.'
And sou seem III earnest
III ever was in earnest about
anything i'll my life ann in earnest
now
Keep your pledge thcA 1ohn
and all viii hc we'll. While You were
a sober man | preferred you to any
iouruel man in my shop. Keep SO
ber.aud Nou shall never want day 5
work, while am in business
The poor man was now shown h>
place IN the shop, and once again
I ne resumed his work, though undcl
Il iag different impulse than had fol
years neiNcd him to action.
Two hours brought his rrgrlar
dinner hour, when JarviS, who be
gan to feel the need OF food, re
turned home, with new and strange
feelings abou. his healh Oae in
pulse was to tell his wife what lt
had done. and what he was doing
lut then he remembered hoU oitci
he had Knocked her new springln.
houcS---how often lie had promise,
amendment, and once even luiheIlt
temperance society, only to Relapse
r iGto lower and more degrade,
condition.
.Nu. no.. he said 10 himself, alte
{ debating lhe question IN bis mul
= as he walked towards hose. i Wi
, not tell her now. ] will ir,t SHOW
f.. some iruii at my repentance, VII
q give such an assurance rs VIII feal
| confidence and hope.
e Mrs. Jarvis did not raise her eye
Ii TO ,hc face Of or husband uS he "a
, tnrrd. The sight of that once love
II countpnanre. distorted and dist.
o urod made her heart >irl, when Sll
lonkcd pnou II. Jarvis seated hin
/. self quietly in a chair, aud held ou
4, Inis bnrds G,, b,.. .,nuparsf child. Iir