Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-01-26


are not out Of this shop in two minutes by the
watch, III Kick you into the street 80 there
now-toke your choice 10 20 out or TO be
kicked out"
Jarvis turned away without reply and
passed out Of the door through which he had
entered with a heart full Of hope, now panied,
aud almost ready to recode from his earnest
resolution aud pledge to become a sober man,
and a better husband and father. lie felt ut
terly discouraged. As he walked slowly
along the street, the fumes Of o dram-shop
which he was passing unconsciously struck
upon his sense and Immediately came an al.
most over-powering desire for his potation.
lie paused
"Now that try to reform, they turn
,ainst me- he said, bitterly. "Tt is no use,
am gone past hope"
One step was taken towards the tagerl
door when il seemed as II a strong hand held
him back. No-non he murmurcd, ''l have
taken the pledge and ! will stand by it it |
die"
Then moving rcsolutely onward, he found
himself near the door Of another hatter's
shop Hope again kindled mp in his bosom
as he entered.
Don't You want a hand, Mr. Mason q"
he asked in hesitating tone.
.'Not drunken one Jarvis" wa- the re-
pulsivo answer
" But I've reformed, MIR. Mason"
So should think from your looks.
" But indeed, Mr. Mason, | have quit
drinking, and have signed the pledge"
"To break it again in three days; perhaps
in three hours
Won't you give me work, Mr.. Mason, if
promise to be sober
"No For | would not give copper for
your promises
Poor Jarvis turned away When he had
placed his hand 20 toe pledge he dreamed not
Of these repuises aud difficulties. He was u
good workman, and thought that any one OF
his old employers would be glad to get him
back again, hs soon as they learned Of his
having signed the total-abstinence pledge
But he had so often promised amendment and
so often broken his promise and disappointed
them that they had lost all confidence il
him at least the two to whom he had thus
far made application.
After leaving the shop Of Mr.. Mason, Jar.
Wis seemed altogether irresolute He would
walk on few steps, and then pause to COM
mune with his troubled aud bewildered
thoughts.
will try Lankford, he said, at length
half aloud " he will give me work, surely
4 brisk walk Of some ten minutes brought
him to the door of a small hatter's store, in q
retired street Behind the counter OF thn
store stood an old man busily employed il
ironing hat. There was something bonevo
lent in his couptenance aud manner. As Jar
Wis entered, he looked up aud a shade passed
quickly over his face.
Good morning. Mr.. Lanklord." said Jar
Wis, bowng with something like timidity and
shame in his manner.
4" Are you not afraid to come here, John,
replied the old man sternly
- am ashamed to come, but not afraid
You will not harm me. know"
Don't trust to that, john. Did you no
steal--aye that is the word-did you no
steal from me the last time employed you p
The old man in manner was stern and ener
getic.
Z" | was so wicked as to take a couple o
skins, MIR. Lankford, but | did very wron.
and ain willing to repay you for them if yol
will give me work. was in liquor when
did it, and when in liquor have no distinc
consciousness of the evil of any action
Give you work, indeed Oh, no, John
cannot give you another chance to rob me.
Il " But | will not get drunk any more aud
you know Mr.. Lankford, that while was
sober man, and worked for you, pove
wronged you out OF sixpenoe worth.
T Z" Mont you get drunk any more? All
John, have lived too long in the world. an,
have seen too much to heed such promises
" But am in earnest Mr. Lankford
have signed the pledge this morning"
You" in tone Of surprise
i Z" Yes, signed it,
" All, John" after pause and shaking hi
head incredulously " ! cannot credit you
word, aud am sorry for it"
"lfl have signed the pledge, and if an
really determined to be reformed man, vii
you give me work, Mr.. Lankford ?"
The old man thought few moments, an
then said half sorrowfully " am afraid q
you, John You are SUCH an old offender o
the score OF drunkenness, that have no con
l ddeuce in your power to keep the pledge
" Then what shall | do = poor Jarvis eN
claimed, in tones that made the heart Of til
, old man thrill--for nature and pathos wer
ia them Now that | am trying in earne,
to do better, no one will give me q word {
) encouragement, or a helping hand Heaye
help me for | avn forsaken Of man"
: Have you been 10 see Warren 90 askc
b the old man.
Yes, aud he threatened TO kick me out d
/ his shop
} Mason wants a hand, know. He wi
ne doubt be glad to employ YOU
: Ive tried him, but he will not give II
work"
Mr. Lanklord stood thoughtful and irres,
e lutte for some moments. He pitied, from b
heart, the poor creature who thus importune
- 50 earnestly for work, and whose tremblin
n hand indicated that he had iorborne. at lea
for time, his accustomed stimulus. But
a did not wish to have him in his shop, for
y had no confidence in him. At length he sal
John, if you will bring me a certificate fro
G Mr. Robinson that you have signed the pledg
| will give you another trial; but If you di
< appoint me again. you aud have done 70
G ever
7 The oountenance OF Jarvis frightened u
o instantly. He turned quickly away, withol
reply, and hurried off to the shop Of Mr.. Ro
: inson, the secretary Of the society he hu
, joined The certificate was of course o.
tanned.
5 And you have joined, sure enough, John
}, Mr.. Lansiord said in changed tone, as
glanced over the certificate
T Indeed | have, Mr.. Landlord %
And you seem in earnest"
+ Ii | was in earnest in anything my III
/ | am in earnest now
z Keep to your pledge then, John, and a
: will be well While you were u sober man,
c preferred you to any jourueyman in my sho
d Keep sober, and you shall never r amt a day
p work while | am in business
n "By the aid Of Him who knows how muC
q in earnest | am, will be true to my pledge
Jarvis said firmly and IN a enia,nn tnna