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

No olu Benuehhu pauscu lfOm very eAuuu
ton. Fear neither for my family nor n
good name for with Gods help. both shr
be cared for"
Bless you, my bog, bless you go was Il
agtated reply. Your word give me nc
life. Be yourself again, Billy. The dai
cloud is passing away"
At the little cottage nothing was known
what had taken place. With her mind Gill
with her own sad thoughts, Lizzie noticed n
the sounds that showed all were actively c
gagged at the shop. Her husband did not r
turn at noon-and, indeed, she scarcely e
pected him, for he was seldom with them
meals She had a lingering hope that
might come in the evening but even th
was very doubtful Her heart beat quick
when iust after the sun had sunk behind tn
western hills, his step was heard at The doc
The little ones chung TO her dress as he en-
tered, for they had learned to fear bis az
proaoh.
Are You not coming to see father i' h
said kindly. you are not afraid Of ND
Willie, my little man"
Not tonight father replied Willie
boldly. Come sister, come to father b.
will not hurt US
Lizzie trcmbed lest the reply should irri
tate him but he only sighed deeply, and tool
the children in his arms without speaking
With more choerluness than she had felt fol
months. Lizzie busted herself with preparing
for the evening meal.
Father tells me there is to be famous
lecturer in the village this evening, said Will
lam as they took their seats at the table.
Can you 20 with me to hear him, Lizzie
Never mind the children" he added, as his
wife glanced toward the little ones. " Sister
Jane has promised to come round and stay
with them"
" Then | will 60 with pleasure, WILL re-
piled Lizzie and the untasted food stood be.
fore her, for she felt too happy to eat.
Take some supper, mamma lisped little
Lizzie and Willie seconded the petition by
slying
Yes, mamma, take some supper Don't
it make you glad to have father home with
US You always cry when he is gone
There were tears in Lizzie eyes, now but
loving glance from her husband sent a
thrill Of happiness through her heart, to which
it had long been a stranger.
1t seemed almost like dream to Lizzie
when she found herself actually walking
through the little village Of Rose Valley,
leaning upon her husbands arm, for it was
long since they had been seen together, She
was silent, for her heart was too full to speak,
and her husband seemed busy with his own
thoughts.
She was startled with surprise when she
found the subject was temperance; and she
wondered, and would have given much to
have known if William was aware Of this be-
fore he invited her to attend The speaker
was an able one Most eoquently did he
speak of the miseries of intemperance, of the
perfect thraldom in which it holds its vic.
tim. Admirably did he portray the home
Of the drunkard.-The wrctohed wife and
miserable, neglected children. Then follow
ed an earnest appeal to those he was adj
dressing-to those in particular, who stood on
the fatal precipice, but who had not yet
precpitated themselves into the gulf below.
" Pause he said, "PauSe, and iolRe there
IS yet time, pledge yourselves tcith the help
Of God, 10 shake of the yoke that binds yo1t.
be true 10 yourselves, and 10 The dear ones
that gather around your howeiold heartdS."
The pledge was produced, and old and
young pressed forward to enroll their names,
to be installed as members of the infant lodge
of Good Templars.
Are there not more who should come r.
continued the speaker, as the last signature
was signed. care there not those who are
still hesitating between life and death? Re
member, that this pledge binds you not to
slavery but it is the token of freedom"
Calmly and deliberately William james
the Village Blacksmith, left his wife's side
and advanced TO the table. There was a
general murmur of pleasure throughout the
assembly, but Lizzie spoke not, and, to an
Indifferent spectator, might have appeared
unmoved The name of WILLIAM JAMES wa
plainly and legibly written, the assembly dis
persed, and each took his way to his own
home or Joined the numerous little group,
who stood conversing upon the topics Of the
evening
As Lizzie passed out, leaning on the arn
Of her husband, many a congratulatory smil,
or shake Of the hand was received, but ap
parently they were almost unnotced No
one word was spoken until they were passin,
up the shady walk to the cottage door Th
sight Of the house with its bright light within
broke the spell, and full realization of tn
change which might now take place came owe
her The dark cloud had passed away, AM
husband, the father Of her children was re
stored to her.
William! dear, dear William !" she muir
INJURED, and burst into tears.
my own Lizzie J" my dear, true-hearte
little wife !" he said tenderly, as he encirce,
her with his arm.
No more passed between them, tor Jenni
was watching for them and with many as
surances that she had been faithful to he
charge, said she must bid them goodnight
without delay, for father and mother woul
be weary with waiting for her.
William and Lizzie stood watching her, a
with light steps she passed down the walk
and across the field that led to the " oil
place and then entered the cottage
The babies slept quietly; and side by side
as in days gone by, they sat down near tn
yine-coyered easement, and talked long an
freely OF the past, present and future
:" Ii has been long time, dearest, +" he said
but with Gods help, the day will now daw
upon you. You have been faithful wifi
and mother, have caused you much suffer
ing but 10 future it shall be my cndeayor +
be what | ought to be, both to you and m
children"
Lizzie pressed closer to his side, and locke
confdingly in his face, but he made no repl,
and after a short pause, William said, hes
tatingly
" Perhaps, Lizzie, you are not aware thl
we have still some trials to pass through. =
We are in debt, and unless 1 can make som
arrangements with my creditors, we mui
part with our pleasant home to satisfy the
claims"
" DO we owe so very much ?" asked Lii
zie, shade Of anxiety passing over her coul
tenance.
T" A mere trihe to those who have riches
but large sum to those who have nothing
was the reply About five hundred dollar
| believe"
Lizzie gently disengaged herself from tn
arm which her husband had thrown aroun
her, and entered the little room where tn
children were sleeping. 10 a few minute
she returned, and placing a small work. DO
in her husbands hand, said smiingly
Here is a gift for you, dear William"