Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-10-02

and its Jolly inmates. All those, and other /
too numerous to mention, costly sacrifices, fell
into thcrum.selers' treasury, unmindlulof IN,
admonition, "what shall it profit man if h,
gain the whole world and lose his own soul
james, said Mr.. Hanson one night as b,
entered the house to his tea, and threw dow
a large roll Of scrip, with self.saiis6ed air
to be counted over, 4" 1 hope | shall not hav,
to remind you again Of my wish, that you
keep out Of my saloon. You know | told
you in the beginning that did not wish YOU
to come in at all"
"Why not, father7" responded the boy Of
thirteen. Other boys 20 in and get cigar
and oysters, and whiskey, too, sometime,
Why cant | just 60 in aud look on, and Sc,
the men play billiards"
Because | positively forbid it, said tn, |
father, reddeuing aud nervously counting hi,
money.
lust then there was knock, and Mrs
Benson, pale widow in mourning, had CON,
to say she wished Messrs. Grimes & Hanson
wouldn't let her son have any more stronp
drink. Her husband bad gone down to
dmnkards grave out Of the door Of that very
saloon, and it was too hard that her soi.
should 10 the same way. He had always
been a good boy until he had been enticcc
into the saloon, and now she was positive thai
the habit Of iutomperance was growing fast
upon him.
Mr.. Hanson was indignant. He was sure
he was not to blame about this affair He
intended to know when man had got enough.
atd not to sell him any more and as for her
son, he guessed he knew what he was about
The boy only took glass now aud then
when he felt the need of it.
As the widow walked back to her lionel,
home she glanced at the new made grave iu
tho churchyard, and thought Of the long
years Of sorrow aud despair she had passed
through then, looking upward, she though
OF the great white throne, aud wondered it
up in heaven there would be any saloons with
baize-covercd doors aud flesh colored blinds
or dark alleys with colored lanterns, blinking
like an evil eye Aud SO precious time flew
on, and the recording angel had written the
events of the year, aud John Hanson wa,
fast acoumulatiug a handsome property. He
had one sou of whom have not before spo-
ken, and who had been the favorite child
He was possessed of a remarkably fine intel
lect, and a wealthy uncle had taken pecul-
lar fancy to the child had paid for hi
schooling, taken him into his own family foi
better advantages, aud bad now seut him tc
college. The separation had been a severe
trial to the parents, but then their pride aud
ambition was appealed to it would be a Gne
thing TO have a sou with profession.
Saloon-keepers were reapiug a rich harvest
during the war, and magic hand had trans
formed the cottage Of john Hanson into au
imposing two story house with French rool
aud deep bay windows, and enclosed in orna-
mental grounds and they smiled compla.
Gently as they thought, when John comes
home due gentleman, to practice medicine, be
shall not be ashamed of his fathers house"
But alas for human expectation For the
last year vague reports had reached him thai
his boy was getting wild and unmanageable !;
but he would not for moment credit it, un-
ill at last he received letter from his broth
er, saying that his son had been expelled
from college for a drunken frolic, and he did
not wish to assume the care Of him any long.
er. " The whirlpools Of intemperance are
increasing so rapidly in our midst he wrote,
'' that nearly all our young men are getting
Incorporate"
john Hanson was deeply grieved and as
tonished Could it be possible that his sou
was becoming incorporate, aud SO much SO as
to be expelled from college2 That night he
tossed in fevcrish dreams. Before his eyes
was wild, bloated face, aud the room was
filed with the sad, stern faces Of wives and
widows, who pointed mockiugly at it, snying,
" Behold your sou :" Tse next week Johu
Hanson, Jr., returned home. lie was u
bright, fine looking boy, and had received
that polish Of manners which au intercourse
with culture and refinement always gives !;
but to a close observer the marks Of dlssipa-
tion were plainly discernabe upon his face.
am glad to see you, my sou, said the
father with tears in his eyes, but sorry thai
you should be dismissed with disgrace frou
college. hope you won't be foolish aud
break all our hearts for you know We have
looked forward to your making bright mark
IN the world"
Never fear for me- replied the youth,
twirling slender cane in his hand. " II II
young man can't enter respectable saloon
and play game OF billiards. or take glass
Of wine occasionally with friend, without
being prayed over or gvenup for lost, it's Il
pity. fancy"
" | believe it would be better if you didn't
drink at all" said the mother, stroking his
hair fondy. Il believe no one is the better
for il"
Pshaw mother nearly every one drink
nowadays. II they didn't the streets
wouldn't be lined with beer shops aud sa-
looms. 1t is getting very popular. Nearly
every coniectioner and small grocer sells beer
Why, here's father getting rich by selling
rum. If people didnt drink there would be
no money made by it; eb, father"
The affair was getting altogether too per-
sonal. IL seemed Il very different affair to
sell rum to other mems sons but when il
came to his own, he could not bear they
should drink, no matter how tomperutelyi sO
he laughed uneasily, as he replied" Your
mother is right. | almost wish had never
gone into business"
4" But then where would have been your
fine house ?" responded the youth, strut,ing
up aud down before the long mirror All
you are all nervous tonight but | tell you
what, we have had some jolly old times iu
college and, putting on his jauuty bat, he
started for the street whstling "well all
drink stone blind"
The fatbergave a deep sigh and settled in
TO gloomy meditation while the mother
spread her cloth for tea with sadder heart
than she had known for long while. A.
the days passed on, John Hanson began to
realize the fruits Of his evil doings for biz
son was constant inmate Of his saloon
where he lounged and smoked, read the pa.
pers aud played billiards, and, being ten.
perato drnker, only took his bitters twice a
day. All this was grievous vexaton to
his sensitive father, who one day tried to ro-
( monstrate with him.
wish, my boy, you would not spend 81
much Of your time in my saloon You had
better be at home studying your books
am afraid you are getting little wild W,
had hoped better things of you. don't al
low jamie to 90 in at all /; yet was in
, formed the other day that he had learned Il