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

DlOateu auu ulsngufcd bY lutemperance, 10
woman whose thin, pale face, and heart
broken look, told but too plainly that she was
the drunkards wife
" Not a shilling, John? Surely you will
not waste a shilling Of my hard earnings when
you know that can scarcely get food for the
children ?
As the wife said this she looked up into
her husbands face, with sad. appealing ex-
preston.
81 must have shilling, Jane" was the
firm reply.
80, John remember our little ones. The
cold weather will soon be here. and | have
not yet been able 10 get them shoes. If you
viii not do anything yourself, do not waste
the little my hard labor can procure. VIII
not sixpeuce do Surely that is enough for
you to spend for"
Nothing will do but a shilling Jane, and
That | must have was the prompt and
somewhat earnest reply.
Mrs Jarvis laid aside her work mechani-
cally, and rising, went to her drawer, and from
a cup containing four shilings her little all,
took out one, and turning to her husband said,
as she handed it to him
Remember, j ohm, that you are taking the
bread out Of your childrens mouths -
Not so bad as that, hope Jane, the
drunkard replied, as he .lutched the money
eagerly, something ike feeble smile fitting
across his dsfgured and distorted counte-
nance.
Yes, and worse ,' was the response. made
in a sadder tone than that in which the wife
had at first spoken.
How worse. Jane ?n
John - and the wife spoke with sud
den energy. while her counteuapce LIGHTED nm
with a strange aleam-0 John. | cannot bear
this much longer And Won who pledged
vourselc-u
Here the voiee of the noor woman gave
away. and covering her face with her hands
she bent her head nnon hor bosom and sobhed
and wept historically.
The drunkard looked at her for moment.
and then turning hurriedly. passed from the
room. For some moment: after the door had
closed upon the husband did Mrs Jarvis
stand. sobbing and weenino Then slowly re-
turning to her chair near the window. she re.
snmed her work. with an exnression of conn.
tenance that was sad and homeless
In the meantime tbe noor creatnr. who
had thus reduced his family TO state Of
painful destitution. after turning away from
his door. walked slowly along the street with
his head bowed down. as Il engaged in "a
him. altogether a new emplovment. that Of
self.communion. All at once a hand wa.
laid amilarly upon his shoulder. and well
known voice said " Come. John. let's have
a drink
Jarvis looked up with a bewildered air. and
the first thing that caurht his eve. after i,
glanced away from the face of one of nj,
drinking cronies, was sign with bright gold
letters, bearing the WORK Eagle That
sign was as familiar to him as the face of one
Of his children. At the same moment that
his eye rested upon this, creating an involun.
tary impulse to move towards the tavern door
his old crony caught hold of his coat collar
and gave him a pull in the same direction
But, much to the surprise of the latter, Jar
Wis resisted this attempt to give his steps
, direction that would lead him into his Old
accustomed haunt.
Wont YOU drink this bank Jarvis %
asked the other with a look of surprise
There was evidently powerful strursl,
Z going on in the mind Of the drunkard. mi
lasted only moment or two, when he sal,
loudly and emphatically--" No." Aud in
siantly broke from his old boon companion
t and hurried on his way.
} A loud laugh followed him. but he heede,
3 it not. Ten minutes walk brought him I,
the store of respectable tradesman.
Is Mr.. Robinson in ?" he asked as he EN-
t tered
e Back al the desk" was the reply
Q Aud Jarvis walked back with resolut
I air.
( - Mr.. Robinson, want to sign the pledge !,
You, Jaryis?" Mr.. Robinson said, il
5 tones of gratifed surprise.
Yes me, Mr. Robinson. It's almost
: hopeless case with me, | know, but roall,
wish to do better"
c Are YOU fully sensible of what Won ar
! about doing, Jarvis ?
d g. think am, Mr.. Robinson. I've drauI
! nothing since yesterday morning, and with tn
! help of Him above, | am determined neve
D to drink another drop as long as live :
let me sign"
G Mr. Robinson turned at once to the declar
. alton of the Washington Temperance Society
o and read
|, We the undersigned, do pledge ourselye
G to each other as gentlemen, that we will not
l. hereafter, drink any spirhuous liquors. wine
q malt, or cider, unless in Sickness, and unde
e the prescription of physician"
n Jarvis took the pen in his hand, that treur
t bled so he could scarcely make straight mai