Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-29
Home Influences.

~ no that, l wonder z SAID Mrs. Sea
burn, as she heard a ring at the basement
door.
"Ah it's Marshall - returned her hus-
band who had looked out at the window and
recognized the grocers cart.
And what have you sent home now,
Henry"
But before Mr.. Seaburn could answer, the
door of the sitting-room was opened, and one
of the domestics looked in, and asked
"What'll do wild the demiohns, mum ?"
Demiohns :" repeated Mrs Seaburn.
" Put them in the hall, and I'll attend TO
them interposed the husband.
Henry, what have you sent home now 2''
the wife asked, after the domestic was gone.
" Some nice old brandy" replied Henry.
Cora Seaburn glanced up at the clock, and
then looked down upon the floor. There was
a cloud upon her fair brow, and it was very
evident that something lay heavily upon her
heart Presently she walked to the wall and
pulled the bell-cord and the summons was
answered by the chambermaid.
Are George and Charles in their room 2"
Yes, ma am"
Tell them it is school-time"
The girl went out, and in little while two
boys entered the sitting-room, with their
books under their arms and their caps in
their hands. They were bright happy,
healthy fellows, with goodness and truth
stamped upon their rosy faces, and the light
of free consciences cleaning in their spark
ling eyes. George was thirteen years of age
and Charles eleven; and certainly those two
parents had reason to be proud of them
The boys kissed their mother, gave n happy
good morning to their father, and went
away to school.
Come said Mr.. Seaburn, some time af.
ter the boys had gone, " what makes you so
sober ?"
"Sober J" repeated the wife, looking up.
Yes You have been sober and mute
ever since the grocer came"
do you want me to tell you why ?"
OF course do
Well, Henry, | am sorry you have had
that spirit brought into the house,
Pooh what's the use in talking so,
Cora You wouldn't have me do without
it, would you ?"
Yes"
&" Why, what do you ?"
mean that would cut clear of the
stuff now and forever"
But, Cora, you are wild, What should
we do at parties without wine ?"
Do as others who have it not"
But, mercy what would people say
Are you afraid but no, won't ask so fool
ish question"
" Ask it, Henry. Let us speak plainly,
now that we have fairly commenced"
Well, | was about to ask if you were
afraid that | should ever drink too much 2"
That's not a fair question, Henry Il
was hot thinking Of that at all. But | will
answer it by-and.by. You have no fixed ap-
petite for it now p
OF course not"
Then it would not cost you any effort of
will to abstain from its use 2"
Not particle
And you only have it in your house, and
serve to your friends and drink it yourself
because it is fashionable? or, you do it be-
cause others do it3"
| do it because said Mr.. Seaburn,
hesltating in his choice of language, " be-
cause it would appear very odd, and very
niggardly, and very fanatical, not to do it. n
The last was spoken emphatically.
But" pursued Mrs. Seaburn, with the
,almncss aud assurance of one who feels the
sustaining influences of right, "you would
not do what you were convinced was wrong
'ut of respect of any such considerations,
would you -
"You know | would not, Cora. This
question Of temperance, | know, is good one
N the abstract and am willing to live up
% it as | understand it but am no tee
.otaler"
Henry" said his wife, with an earnest
ook into his face, "will you answer me
ew questions 2--and answer them honestly
md truly, without equivocation or evasion
q" Bless me, how methodically you put it,
CORA But will answer"
" Then 6rst--do you believe you, or your
riends, are in any way benefited by the
thinking Of intoxicating beverages at your
BOARD 2-That is do you derive any real
,ood from it
"No, can't say that we do"
"Do you think the time has ever been since
ve were married, when we actually needed
vine in the house, either for our health or
comfort ?"
Why, think it has added to our conf
ort, Cora"
+" How7"
"Oh in many ways"
Name one OF them"
"Why, in the enjoyment Of our guests"
"Ah but | am speaking Of ourselves,
Ienry--of you, and me, and Of our own lit
10 family. Has ii ever ministered to your
omfort2 :"
No, | cannot say il has"
"And If it was banished from our house
o-day and forever, as beverage, should we
ufer in consequence"
Certainly. What would our iriends--"l