Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-05-05


what my wife had told me in relation to our
sons smoking. | went over in my mind the
necessity Of tobacco its expense to the con-
sumer considered the effects which had
read it produced on the human system, and |
resolved that il would not do for my children
to use it aud to prevent this, further re-
solved that | would not again have to do with
cigars or with tobacco in any form Sc you
now know Mr.. G., that do not smoke, and
my reasons for my change of conduct"
" am rejoicod," said Mr.. c.. at what
you have now told me and | think you will
have reason forever to be glad that you are
free from the filthy habit. l think, in the
effect on your sons, you will have reason to
rejoice in the course you have pursued. D"
Yes, said Mr.. s., -" think so too. /
have thought much Of late of the power Of a
fathers example on sons have no doubt
my little boys We're induced to smoke by my
practice. / think we fathers ought to con-
slider more than We have done on this subject.
We are too much inclined to think our chill
dren do not notice our conduct, and arc unin-
nucnccd by our actions, but the incid mt nar-
rated to me by my good wife Of which /
have now spoken to you. has opened my eyes
and feel as ! never before felt on the sub
icct'
agree with you" remarked Mr.. c.
" in your conclusion in regard to the effect
Of the fathers example on his sons IL is
powerful, very powerful
True" uttered Mr.. s., " bless God
almost, that my little sons were caught by
their mother putting cigars. As ! said 20
you before the mode they idopted to judge
for themselves, had n very good effect on me
and my wife hoped il would
Have you seen any good effects already,
of your abstinence from the use of tobacco,
on your cyldren ?" inquired Mr. G.
81 have he replied. Their mother
told me since, as she was one day sitting in
the front parlor, she thought she heard the
children, who were in the adjoining room say
ing something about their father. She said
she thought that they were talking about my
smoking SO she changed her chair, and
drew near TO the door by which the two
rooms are connected, and unobservcd by them,
sat down. She soon found they were really
talking about my smoking" said Mr.. s.
Well" asked Mr.. c.. "what did she
hear the little fellows say that they had seen
you smoke that day ?'
" No. indeed" replied Mr. $. They
could not say that for have not touched a
cigar since the memorable evening | before
alluded to- when | resolved never to smoke
again Why the little rogues were wonder
ing what is was that could have induced me
to leave off smoking"
"Did your wife hear of any reasons as
signed by them" asked Mr. c., which in
their opinion, had wrought the change in
you ?"
" believe she did Mr. S. answered.
3" She said that Thomas said he guessed Pa
thinks so much smoking makes him sick
Frederick said he guessed Pa thought he
couldn't afford it, the time were so hard.
suppose" said Mr.. s., they have heard me
talk about hard times of late. Little George
said tyou know he is a bright little fellow,)
he guessed mother told him how she caught
US smoking in the garden the other day, be-
hind the peach trees"
"Well,' said Frederick, " guess that is
the reason. He never said anything to Us
about it, and | guess he thought we'd tell
him, as | did mother, that it was no worse for
US to smoke than for him"
" mean to ask father tonight, when he
comes home to supper" said little George
&" why he don't SMOKE now"
" Do, do" said both his brothers
Well" said Mr. G., did the little fel.
low ask you 2''
" He did, indeed" replied Mr.. S. "As |
came home, | noticed my wife at the front
door, with little George, aud that both were
looking as tho they had something to say to
me. When | reached them, my wife beck
oned to me to step one side, when she told
me the conversation Of the boys which she
had overheard and the errand which little
George was about to execute, and then left
me, The little fellow then stepped up and
said"
" Pa, why don't you smoke now days,
after breakfast, and dinner, and supper, as
you used to dor"
Why said |, 4" don't know what
makes YOU ask that question, my sou ?"
"O,' said George, only want to
know ?"
" What makes you want to know 2' ]
asked.
" Frederick and Thomas and have been
guessing about it, that's all" said George.
Well" said to my little boy, " Go and
call your brothers in to me, and come your
self with them"
"The boys" said Mr.. s., soon came in,
and told them what little George had Just
told me about their guessing for the reasons
why had left off smoking asked Fred
erick if that was the case. He felt little
shy about speaking, fearing, suppose, that
/ was offended, so told them was not at all
displeased with them for guessing about the
matter, only | wanted to know little more
in regard to it. Being thus put at ease, he
replied that they had been guessing for the
reason of my not smoking ! then informed
that | had given up the practice; and | hon
estly told them the way in which the change
had been effected | told them their mother
had acquainted me with her discovery of
them in the garden with their cigars, and
likewise, with the reasons they gave in justi-
fication of their conduct. frankly said to
them that | had reirained from reproving
them for their conduct, because | felt con-
demned for setting them such an example.
told them | had come TO the conclusion that
the use of tobacco was wrong, and that |
should use it no more | told them how |
loved them, and that would submit to any
sacrifice for their good and such was my
conversation with them that | could not re-
frain from weeping myself, and seeing me in
tears the boys wept freely likewise, Before
| left them, ! asked them if they thought
they should smoke any more"
" Frederick said he should not, and so did
Thomas | asked little George if he thought
he should wish to smoke again
No, papa you say it is wrong to smoke,
and you say you shall not smoke, and so |
won't,
/" then told them" said Mr.. s., they
might go out. | felt greatly relieved, assure
you, Mr.. c., by this conversation with the
boys. felt that had gained them, by my
ceasing to set them an injurious example, and
by my confession to them of my sin"
A clerk Of Mr.. S. at this time approached
them, who informed him there was a gentle
man at the store who wished to see him.
Mr. : starring for the store Mr. O. stop.