Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-02
The Manly Boy;
on, EvBRY LITTLE uELPs.

near Nuus ilt > ~ Aui uHNA IoNNls
Is he2 Well, I'm not ashamed to let
him know that I'm for temperance. I only
wish he was Maybe Aunt Susy wouldn't
cry so much as she does; and maybe they'd
have a house Of their own to live IN
"H-u-s-h John He'll be angry if he
hears you"
"Getting angry wouldn't make it any bet
ter, Ned" firmly answered john. " I'm a
temperance boy and if Uncle Phil gets an
cry because | just say that | wish he was a
temperance man, he'll have to get angry
that's all. love Aunt Susy. She's as good
as she can be and Uncle Phil makes her cry
with his drinking and getting tipsy. Its a
great deal worse for him to do it than for me
to say it and he'd a great deal better get
angry at himself than at me-"
It was as Ned had feared. Uncle Phil,
who was in the next room, heard every word
Of this conversation Was he very angry at
the little apostle Of temperance We shall
see. At the mention of his name, he pricked
up his ears to listen. As John said, I'm
not ashamed to let him know that I'm for
temperance only wish he was;" two red
spots burned on his cheeks, and he looked an.
noyed. But when John added, Maybe
Aunt Susy wouldn't cry as much as she does
and maybe they'd have house of their own
to live in :; the spots went OFF his cheeks and
he grew quite pale.
What John said after this didn't bring the
blood to his face, but made it, if anything
paler. He got up in cowed sort Of way
and left the room SO quietly that the two boys
did not hear him go out
Now, Uncle Phil, about whom John had
spoken so plainly, deserved all that was said
Of him, and a great deal more Intemper.
ance had almost destroyed his manhood. He
was the slave of strong drink Appetite, in
dulged for years, had gained fearful power
over him, and to crafty his burning thirst
he spent nearly every dollar that he earned
and lived with his family nearly dependen
on his brother. Once he had been in a gooC
business now he was clerk, on small pay
in the store of friend named Mr. Osborne
who kept him more out of pity than for tn,
service he gave. Sometimes he would be nb
sent from his post for days, and often 70
hours in each day The friend, after scold
ing him, pleading with him, threatening him
but all to no purpose, had about made up hi
mind to turn him adrift.
III can't have him any longer" said MI
Osborne, speaking to his head clerk. .
(" I've tried my best to help him. but its n
use As he drinks up everything he earns,
will be better for him to earn nothing"
"rve long thought that" answered tn
clerk. " The fact is you've borne with hin
to degree that surprises every one in tn
store'
" | shall do it no longer" was the resolut
reply.
There he comes now" said the head clerk
Mr.. Osborne turned with hard lo,k il
his face, intending to stop Uncle Phil beior
he had reached his desk and tell him that hi
duties there were at an end. But somelhin
in Uncle Phil's manner kept him from speak
ing what was in his thoughts The poor ma
came in with a quicker step, and an air o
earnestness about him not seen for Ion
time,
"I'll not be late again, Mr., Osborne h
said in an humble way, It's all wrong
but it shan't happen again
. hope not, replied Mr.. Osborne, iu
tone that gave Uncle Phil a start
You've right to be dispeased,' til
wretohed man said. " | only wonder you'y
j borne with me so long. But have patienc
with me little while longer. I've mad
my mind up to lead a new life, God helpin
4 me I"
Uncle Pills voice trembled, and pity can
back into Mr.. Osbornes heart.
"God alone can help you" answered h
! kind friend. "Unless you get strength fror
e Him, your case is hopeless
| am resolved never to taste Que drop
liquor again so long as | i've said Unc
Phil, speaking solemnly.
An good resolutions are from hcayei
Z my friend, answered Mr.. Osborne, " and lro
n heaven comes the power to keep them. Tru
A not Ia your own poor strength--it has iaie
= you thousand times-but look upward, an
|. while you pray for help, keep yourself out
r the old ways wherein your feet have stun
n bled This is your part Of the work, au
r must not fail for an instant. lfyou 90 whe
liquor is sold, you 90 out Of the circle Of saf
Ia ty; IL you touch or taste II you fall. Go
q cannot help you unless you help yourself Al
the only way in which you can help yoursc
n is to keep far off from danger. While yC
q do this no strong desire for liquor will
il felt bnt If you taste Il you are lost
r. Uncle Phil stood with bent head while NJ
a Osborne was talking.
/ al will never taste 1t again, he answere
/. "never, 80 long as live"
A thing happened that evening which hi
not happened for months. Uncle Phi ma
one of the family circle at teatime. He can
in with sober face and quiet air, giving a
l. a pleased surprise. John, who had spok'
his mind so freely ~ the morning. and WI
:, had been thinking about him all day--ior
e was sure Uncle Phil had heard his plain ia
could not keep his eyes from his face. U