Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-07-15

might have left.
"Have you forgotten your old playmate
in boyhood, Harry-your friend in other
years, your chum in collcge9'
"whatp' gasped Seaburn, starting back
aghast, for glimmer of the truth burst
upon him. "This is not Alec Lomberg9"
"All that is left of him, my Hail." return
ed the poor fellow, putting forth his wasted
skeleton hand, and smiling faint, quiv-
ering, dying smile.
alexander Lomberg r. said Henry gaz-
ing into tho bloated, disfgured face before
him.
"You wouldn't have known me, Hal7"
"Indeed, nor'
81 know l am altered"
"But Alec" cried Seaburn, show Is thisH
Why are you here9'
"Rum, my Hal-rumi I'm about done
for But wanted to see you. They told
me that you lived not far away, and 1
would look upon one friend before died."
"But heard you were practising in your
profession, Alec, and doing we'll"
$50 did do well when practised, Hal.
have made some pleas, but have given
up all that"
"And your father-where is her"
"Don't mention him he taught me to
drink Ay, he taught me and then turn
ed the cold shoulder upon me when drank
too much ! But I'm going, Hal l-going,
going"
Henry Seaburn gazed into that terrible
face, and remembered what its owner had
been-the son Of wealthy parents the idol
of fond mother; the favorite at school,
at play, and at college; light of intellect
and beauty, and noble, generous friend.
And now, alas! "Alec, can help your"
YES" And the poor fellow started
higher up from his pillow, and something
of the old light struggled for moment in
his eyes. pray for me, Hal. Pray that l
may go where my mother isl She won't
disown her boy. She could not have done
it had she lived. Oh she was good moth
er. Thank God she didn't live to SEQ this
Pray for me-pray-pray-prayi Let mo
go to herr'
AS the wasted man sank back he fell to
weeping, and in moment more, one OF
his paroxysms came on and he began to
rave. He thought Harry was his father,
and he cursed him and cursed the habit
that had been fastened upon him under
that fathers influence. But Henry could
not stop TO listen. With an aching heart he
turned away and left the hospital. He
could not go home to dinner then; he went
down town and got dinner there. Atnight
he went to the hospital again. He would
inquire after his friend If he did not see
him.
poor fellowW said the physician, "he
never came out of that fit he died in half
an hour after you went out"
1t was dark when Mr.. Seaburn reached
home. "You didn't tell Bridget where to
put those demijohns, Henry" said his wife.
She had not noticed his face, for the gas was
burning but dimly.
"Ah 1 forgot. Come down with me,
Cora, and well find a place for them"
His wife followed him down into the
basement and one by one| he took de
demijohns and carried them into the rear
yard where he emptied their contents into
the sewer. Then he broke the vessels in
pieces with his foot, and bade Bridget have
Wv N''f eohS thO away in
the morning. Not word had he spoken
to his wife all this while, nor did she speak
to him. He returned to the sitting room.
where his boys were at their books, and
took seat on one of the tete-a-tctes. lie
called his wife and children about him.
and then he told them the story of Alox-
ander Lomberg.
"And now, my loved ones" he added,
laying his hand upon the heads OF his boys
81 have made a solemn vow that hence
forth my children shall find no such influ.
ence at their home. They shall never have
the occasion to curse the example of theii
father. will touch the wine cup no NOR,
forever What say you, my boys-wil
you join me in that pledge?'
They Joined him with glad, gushing
willingness; for their hearts were full, and
their sympathies all turned, by mother,
careful love, to right.
"And you, Cora?"
"Yes, yes y she cried. "And NAV tn,
holy lesson of this hour never be forgotten
o God let it rest, as an angel of mercy up
on my boys. Let it be light to their fee
in time of temptation and so shall the,
bless through the influence they carry will
them from their home'
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