Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-09


response. " | will treat you as well as
have myself Here is the price Of six glasses !"
The money dropped upon the floor, as with
clasped hands, she exclaimed
My dear husband, oh, my husband, will
you not give It up altogether ? 1t would be
but little sacrifice now and oh, believe
me, it is the only safe course Think Of our
dear children. Surely you will do it for their
sakes :"
No. no, foolish chid, | will not give il
up but | will take care to keep within my
allowance in future. Three glasses a day
never hurt any one
Lizzie would have urged him still further,
but look Of impatence checked her, and
with a secret prayer that he might never
again be led into temptation, she locked her
fears in her own bosom. Long after her hus-
band slept, her tears fell fast upon her pillow,
as she looked at her little ones and remember
ed her own miserable childhood, and her poor
mothers unhappy life and early death.
This was but the beginning Of sorrow. For
another week all went well then came
SECOND excess There was still some good
excuse-some peculiar circumstances which
he said might never occur again. But the
path down IA hill is a slippery one, and Of
quick descent. Before another year had pass
ed his unsteady habits were known and com.
mented upon by those who had once respect
ed him as a thriving, industrious man. Sew
eral times he had been seen in the street in
state little short of absolute intoxication, and
his work was often neglected, even at the
most busy season Of the year. The parents
had demonstrated and his wife pleaded in
vain. Opposition seemed to serve but as fuel
| to the flames
We can but do our duty and trust in
God" said Lizzie, sadly as, after the most
trying scene that had yet occurred, she took
her children to her grandfather's for an hour
or two, thinking that a change would be use.
| tul to them and to herself
But tell me, my poor child,' said the
mother, to whom the remark was addressed,
" is my sou very unkind to you and the little
ones Surely, he cannot forget himself so
far as to use personal violence.
No, mother, he is rather more surly than
violent. At such times he dislikes to be
spoken to, and is angry if the children make
a noise The poor babies used to spring with
delight when they heard his steps. Now they
SHRINK from him with fear. Last evening
when bade Willie say his prayer for poor
father because he was sick, the little fellow
went and said, Willie will saw his PRAYER
for poor father, but father don't love Willie
D any more. Tears fell from Lizzie's eyes as
1 she spoke, and the mother wept also vii.
= liam was her eldest born, and had ever been
her pride and delight. 1t was, indeed hard
, to know that he had thus gone astray.
Y "And is there no hope for the future she
/ said, bitterly Will he thus wilfully pur.
sue the road to ruin until il is too late to re.
I trace his steps ~
+. We know not the end" replied Lizzie
G d" But fear things will become worse. MAY
sod help us -
, Lizsie's fears were but too well grounded.
$ The dark cloud about them became more
T. dense. Dissipation led to idleness work
was neglected debts accumulated and pov.
=. erty stared them in the face.
e Deeper grew the shadows on the brow Of
l. the old blacksmith, as he watched the gradual
decline from virtue Of his son. For hours he
/, would sit at the door of his own cottage,
e apparently in state of moody abstraction,
n and then mournfully shaking his head, would
k say, as he aroused himself, sAll is silent now
n the blacksmith's hammar is no more heard in
3 the old shop. Oh, nv boy, my boy! Would
s. that | could have stood beside thy grave, ere
e. | had seen thee thusw
it Suddenly he seemed to have formed some
IN new resolution. Rising one morning earlier
st than had been his wont for years, he took the
l. well-kuown cross.path to the shop. 1t was
it closed, and the entrance we'll secured. For q
III moment he paused, irresolute, and then walked
r to a small house in the neighborhood.
10 81 Is Mr.. Birch ~ he inquired of the
so little boy who answered his knock at the door
as The man in question: who had long beer
he in james employ, Immediately stepped for
ne ward.
nd The shop is locked SIR said the old gen
IN tleman. Have you the key7"
ng have" was the reply; but Mr. Viii
le. liam is so seldom at his work, now, that
ge never open without his orders am abou
m seeking situation in Clyde. Working on
at day in seven will not support family"
no 1t will not, indeed, Mr.. Birch but
les you will rely upon me, | will see that 20
are paid as usual. Open the shop at once
at and be ready for whatever may offer"
* But do not feel myselfquite competen
iv- to take the whole charge, Mr.. James; al
his willing to work under ORDERS
vas 81 will be there myself" was the reply
of &" and we will see whether Time has robbie
cen my arm of its strength"
yer Ia half an hour all was bustle and activit
- at the old blacksmith shop. The wonderin
ay, neighbors had for many months pa
ies been obliged to go ten miles to the next vi
age when anything in that line was require
pit heard with surprise the busy strokes Of Il
ID hammer
was Sam Jones almost rejoieed when his hor
ear lost a shoe, because it gave him an opport
was nifty to satisfy his curiosity. He was roul
eel man, but his heart was touched when he 81
the old gentleman hard at work, and it "
ore with almost an air of Difference that he ask,
if his horse could be shod Immediately, as
oor was in haste to go to Clyde on important b
the siness.
without delay, Sam. Here, Mr. bro
so will you attend to this l--or, stay, will
al - IL 10 Tan vaa ro ar mora sinoa