Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-12-27
1t Was So Dreadful.


" 1t was the dreadluIest thing ever did
see :" exclaimed Charlie Ware to his sister
Mary as they entered the house together. He
had met her near the door on coming home
from school.
What was dreadful, Charlie ?" asked
Mrs. Ware, looking up from her work.
30, mlmma :" and the little fellow ran to
his mother, his face quiyering with excite
ment. 80, mamma it was dreadful 80
What, my son p
Why, to see Mr. Lawrence going on Just
as if he was crazy aud crying so hard, aud
looking SO pale. Oh dear They said he
was drunk. Isn't it awful, mamma :"
" JUDGED it is Charlie; awful enough. But
where did you see all this ?" asked Mrs.
Ware.
Over by Mrs. Lawson's Aggy and |
were coming home from school, and Just as we
got near the house, her father came stagger-
ing out into the road His face was red, aud
he was talking to himself aud throwing his
arms out as it he was trying to hit somebody
Aggy said, o, dear' aud stopped right still.
When Mr.. Lawrence saw her, he tried to
catch hold Of her, but she wouldn't let him
And then he called her dreadful name, and
swore awfully. U, dear it made me shake
all over. And the boys from school came
along and laughed at him, aud pushed him
about, aud jim MeCarty knocked his hat of
| was so sorry for Aggy. o, how she did
cry! What makes him drink. mamma, when
he knows it makes him drunk ?"
Shall tell you about it, my son"
Yes, mamma, do. | should like to know "
"Well, dear, there was once time when
Mr. Lawrence was sober man, and kind aud
good to his family and if anybody had told
him he was in danger Of becoming a drunk
ard he would have got very angry. But he
drank glass Of ale or wine or little whis-
key now and then. He said it did him good.
But that was mistake Well, after while
he began to use beer or whiskey every day
for whoever begins to drink these liquors soon
begins to love them, aud the oiterer he uses
them, the stronger grows his love Of drink,
until at last his appetite becomes a burning
desire that it is almost impossible to resist
This is the way men get to be drunkards.
Charlie listened with wide open eyes. "Ill
tell you what, mamma" was his sobcrly
spoken reply, you'll not catch me beng a
drunkard If that's the way. Nobody will
ever see me take drop OF beer or wine again
1t isn't good anyhow, and makes your face
burn so, and you feel kind OF bad all over"
Why, Charlie, how do you know all this ?"
When did you have beer or wine ?" exclaimed
Mrs. Ware.
"Oh, get some every two or three days.
Tom Wilkes brings bottle Of beer with his
lunch. and gives me taste sometimes and
when go to Mrs Claver's she's sure to treat
me to some Of her cake aud beer, or currant
wine. Sne says it will give me new blood.
My dear boy ~ said Mrs. Ware, with un-
concealed alarm and anxiety, " don't ever
again taste these dangerous things"
You needn't be afraid. mamma. didn't
know Just how it was answered Charlie ;
A" but know now, and would not drink any
beer or wine again for all the world. They
are not so nice anyhow"
Stick to that, my son." answered his
mother kissing him tenderly, and you will
be in no danger, when you grow up to be II
man, Of being like poor Mr.. Lawrence.