Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-08-25
WHAT GOOD CAN IT 20

WHAT GOOD CAN IT DOl
"What good can it'd
To sm. kc and 10 chow,
To swear and 10 drink,
And never 10 think,
What The end viii ber
Where did you get hold Of that non.
SENSE 20 asked gruif voice.
The little girl who had repeated this long
question, looked up with a start, and said.
u" didn't know you were here, father"
. Poor Bessie caught her breath quickly.
afraid to tell, and yet more afraid TO keep 81
lence. 81 read it in my teachers book %
She replied at length.
What book ?"
81 don't know what book. 1t was full Of
writing. She said it was a good question 10
ask so l learned it,"
" Well, don't you go near that woman
again She can mind her own business for
time to come.'
80 father do MT say | can 7 90 to see
ber again cried Bessie, forgetting all other
fear in that Of seeing her dear teacher, who
had been almost her only friend since her
mother died. won Z ever look into the
book again"
Stop your noise and 60 into the house, "
growled the brutal father. "a pretty pass
things have come to, if children can t do
what they re told without making fuss
about it,"
Bessie obeycd, went into the poor old house
She called home and mounted the rickoty
stairs There was her retreat 4 low cham
Der, with bare rafters, inviting only because
she was secure from intrusion. What few
gifts she had received during her short life
were carefully boarded in trunk which had
been her mothers, and upon this the child
rested he head, while hot, scalding tears
courscd down her cheeks So desoiate If
She could only die and 60 to her mother!
Presently she was reused by the sound of
a familiar voice and looking from the win.
dow, she saw her teacher, Miss Shipman.
" Mr.. Wines, | have come to talk to you
about your little girl" Bessie heard her say.
Now Mr.. Wines had great respect for
Miss Shipman, and never thought Of answer
ing her roughly. On the contrary, he made
an effort to be very polite, and invited her
INTO the house. But she preferred standing
ln the pleasant sunshine, and he took off his
hat while talking with her. After some con-
yersation, he promised that Bessie should 70
to her three times a week. and even thanked
her for being willing to teach the child.
Bessie heard it all, but was wise enough to
remain quiet until her name was called She
walked a short distance with Miss Shipman
on her way home, and then went back to get
her fathers supper.
The preparations were simple for a drunk
ard has ways Of spending money which seem
to him better than buying food. There was
a loaf Of bread, bit Of butter, pot of tea.
and dish of blackberries. These Bessie
mad found in pasture not far from the house.
auli She thought them great treat, but her
iaiher did not taste them After eating, he
tipped back in his chair, and began to smoke.
1" | suppose Miss Shipman told you what she
came tor?' he said, when his pipe was ex-
hausted.
Yes, SIR replied the child.
Well you'll have to 60 now, since gave
my word, but don t let me hear any more Of
your lingo
You see, Tom Wines could MT forget what
his little daughter had said Something kept
whispering in his ear, What good can it
Wv ""N ~ A"N hVNulhE " answer.
The next week, one Of his boon companions
in drunkenness dropped dead at his side.
Rum was the murderer, and for once Tom
Wines went home thoroughly sobered.
Bess, what was that | heard YOU saw
last week ? 1t began, What good can it
do p"
Never was child more astonished than
little Bessie Wines when thus addressed bv
her father. "You told me not to say it
again
Well, Jim Bradley has just dropped
down dead and want to hear it,"
That wicked man dead ?" exclaimed Bes-
sic.
Yes, he is dead. The end has come to
him. What was it you read in Miss Ship
mans book ?"
In clear, distinct voice. Bessie repeated
the words which had once made her father
so angry.
1t can t do any good" he muttered to
himself And he ought to know, for he had
tried it ever since he was young man.
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