The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-10-18
A Minister'S story.
FOR YOUNG MRN

was away from my parish when |
first heard of it. l very well remember
the start with which l read the first line
of the note, "Charlie P-is dead !"
and how after l had finished the account
written in haste and partaking Of the con.
fusion of the hour, the letter dropped
from my hands. and sat in the gathering
darkness of the summer twilight, ,rehears.
ing to myself the story of his life, and the
sad, sad story ofhis tragic death, Years
have passed upon my memory in figures
that time cannot fade. If l were an art
ist. l could paint his portrait, | am sure,
as see him even now. Such grand,
open-hearted, whole.soulel fellow as he
was.
1t was about year before that first
saw him in my church. His peculiar gait
as he walked up the aisle, first attracted
my attention. He carried a stout cane
and walked little lame. His wife was
with him. Indeed except at his office, |
rarely saw them apart. She loved him
with an almost idoatrous affection; as well
she might, for he was the most lovable
man ever knew and he loved her with
a tenderness almost womanly. | think he
never for moment forgot that it was her
assiduous nursing which saved his life
His face attracted me from the first, and
I rather think l called on the new COM
ers that very week. AT all events we
soon became fast friends, and at the very
next communion husband and wife united
with my church by letter from, but
no matter where; | had best give neither
names or dates. They lived in quiet,
simple way, going but little into society,
for they were society to each other. They
rarely spent an evening out, if l except
the weekly prayer-meeting. They came
together to that He very soon went to
the Sabbath school. A Bible class Of
young people gathered about him as il
by magic. He had just the genial way
the social qualities, and the personal mag.
netism to draw the young to him. | used
to look about sometimes with a kind Of
envy at the eager, attentive faces Of his
class
Judge Of my surprise when, one day
u warm friend of Charley's came to me
privately, and said, "Charlie p. is drink
ing"
"Impossible," said l.
"Alas !! said he, "it is too true. | have
talked with him time and again. HI
promises reform, but keeps no promise
His wife is almost broken.hearted, bu
carries her burden alone. You have in
Auence over him, more than any one else
l think. ! want you to see him and tall
with him."
l promised, of course. made tn
effort, but without success. | called ono
or twice at his Office. He was alway
immersed in business. l called at hi
house but never could see him alone
l was really perplexed, when he relieved
me Of my perplexity. Perhapse he sus
pected my design. At all events on
morning he surprised me by call at m
study. He opened the subject at ono
himself.
"Pastor.' said he 81 have come to tai
with you about myself l am bringin
shame on the church and disgrace on m
family. You know all about it, | won
der that the children do not point at m
in the street as l go along. Oh my poo
wife my poor wife what shall | do ?
He was intensely excited. suspect
ed that he had been drinking to nerv
himself to what he regarded as disi
greeable but unavoidable duty. calme
him as well as | could. and he told me h
story.
He was formerly temperate, thoug
never total abstinence man. He WI
employed on railroad in some capacii
express messenger think. The ca
ran off the track. That in which he W;
sitting was thrown down the embankmen
f He dreadfully bruised and maDgled, ar
was taken up for dead. 1t seemed
first as though he had hardly whole boz
in his body but by one of those marve
GUS freaks, as we account them, whit
defeat all physicians calculations he su
vived. Gradually he rallied. F.
twelve months he lived on stimulants.-
:. His wife's assiduous nursing through the
IS twelve months of anxiety prostrated h
e upon bed of sickness. From his cou
" arose, as he supposed, to 20 through Ii
y on crutches. But returning strength h
3 enabled him to substitute a cane. II
s s,s attack of typhord lever left her an inv,
a id, never to be strong again. Alas
% twelve months use Of stimulcnts b
!, kindied a fire within him which il seem
10 impossible to quench.
re II cannot do my work." said he, wit
a out little, aud little is enough TO 4
set me. mn not hard drinker, Past
indeed | am not. But half glass
liquor will sometimes craze me-
l told him he must give up the lit
For him there was but one course of 50
W W ty, that of total abstinence. He was
be- luctant to come to it. His fathers sit
'ss board was never empty. Ii was hard
put aside the notions Of hospitality viii
' he had learned in his childhood and ado
the principles of total abstinence, VIII
Ior he had always been taught to ridicule.
H. However, he resolved bravely; and VI
away from my study, as | fondly hope
saved man.
had not then learned, as have sn