Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-01
"but perhaps l can borrow little Of
Mrs. Blake"
"Have we any tea or sugar, Su-
san ?" was the next inquiry.
"None." was the low reply.

san ?" was the next inquiry.
"None," was the low reply.
"Then | will go and purchase
sOme," said Jacob. "Mr. Grant is
owing me for a half a days work,
and | guess that he can pay me-"
Saying this he walked out of the |
house, and went in the direction to
Mr.. Grants. Susan Bells heart beat
very fast at the strange conduct of
her husband. "Oh if he does not
stop at Browns" she said.
He did not stop at Browns altho'
a dozen voices called to him while he
was passing by. a think that you
will not succeed" he only said, and
then walked towards home.
"Now make me a strong cup of
coffee, Susan" he said, as he placed
several small packages upon the ta-
BILE.
Susan quickly obeyed and in a !
short time Jacob sat down to btter
supper than he had had before for
many day.
a am very weary" he only said,
as he finished the meal. ''Please call
me very early in the morning, Susan,
for | ain going to work for Mr.. Grant
tomorrow. | have taken the Job of
building his barn and want to get it
well started this week"
Then he retired for the night, and
soon Susan heard the deep regular
breathing, and she knew that he was
not under the influence of liquor. Al
ter visiting the couch of little Jennie
she also retired, but not to sleep, for
all through the long night were her
thoughts busy in trying to arrive at
some conclusion in regard to the
strange conduct of her husband. The
day came with its beautiful splendor,
and just as the morning sun began to
bathe the tall western mountain Mrs.
Bell gently spoke her husbands name.
He answered as kindly as the ev-
ening before, and soon arose to pre-
pare for the labors of the day. "Will
you make me a strong cup of coffee,
Susan" he asked, II want nothing but
the coffee" he continued. "for l am
not hungry"
His wife said nothing but quickly
prepared the coffee. After drinking
two large cups he arose to 90.
"Haye you enough flour to last to-
day." be asked as he was about to
pass out.
ave have a little" was the reply.
The day passed away at last, and
just as the sun was setting, Jacob
Bell entered the door Of his home.
Here are three dollars, Susan"
he said, handing some money to his
wife. Take it and use it as you
think best. Herbert can bring home
whatever you want, for he will not
work any logger for Mr.. Hill. He
is not strong enough to do such work
as he has been in the habit of doing.
He will go to school the remainder
of the summer"
Mrs. Bell said not a word: she on
ly hoped and prayed.
Another day passed away and three
dollars more were placed in her
hands. A week also went by and
her husband had worked every day,
aud had not visited Jim Brown once
in that time. Then he come home
one night with a new suit of clothes
/ on.
They were a present to me, he
said, in reply to Susan's inquiring
looks. "Mr. Grant gave them to
me ?"
"And why did he do it Jacob ?"
now asked Susan in a trembling voice.
"If tell you, then you will know
my secret. But l think I will. 1t
was because | signed the pledge"
"Have you signed the pledge, ia
cob ?" asked the wife in a voice chok-
ed with emotion.
"Yes," he quietly answered, "and
with Gods help | will keep it. Jim
Brown has got the last cent Of my
money that ne ever gets"
"Why did you take this step p Su-
san asked in a very quiet voice.
Il cannot really tell you yet Mr..
Grant | think was the true cause of
1t. he has talked so earnestly and
kindly to me Of late, that | saw my
self as never did before. And then
about a week since | went into Jim
Browns bar-room and asked him to
trust me for a drink. | was owing
him a few shillings and as he was
nearly drunk himself. he refused to
trust me. was mad with passion
and then | made a VOW before all
present, never to drink another drop
of liquor, and as | bave before, God
helping me | will never taste the &C
cursed poison again"
Susan Bell silently thanked God
and earnestly prayed that He would
help her husband to keep his VOW sa
cred.
Five years have passed away with
their sunshine aHd shadow, and still
Jacob Bell keeps his vow. The ole
brown house has been transformed
by his skillful hand, and now it is the
prettiest cottage in B. Thrift anc
plenty manifest themselves ali abou
it, for it is no longer a drunkard'!
, home. Mr.. Jacob Bell looks mucl
,, , younger than he did five years ago
and for some reason, people do no
, call him cold Jake" The villag,
! tavern still stands, but Jim Brown
i, died nearly two years since with "de
lirium tremens. ;" Another runIselle
' fills his place, but Jacob Bell has nev
, er spoken to him. Thus did tn
!, drunkard keep his VOW Tempe,
/ ance Patriot.
BISMARCK S CALCULATIONS
OF the sharp Partisan journalists in
! vestigating the cause of the war, al
9 tributes it to the plebisclte. Coun