Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-11-13
Talks with Reformed DrunI,ards'
Wives.
ny Mrs. MARY srmso WALKER HARTFORD.

Aftor hearing ia the Good Samaritan ez
perieuce meetings our reformed men speak
with great oaruestucss and feeling OF the
happiness aud improved condition Of their
families feel a desire to see aud talk with
some of those wives who have known in
their own bitter experience the curse Of
drunken husband So one night after meet
ing, as | shook hands with one and another
there is always a deal Of hand.shaking at
these gatherings) inquired out their homes,
taking down street and number in my pocket
diary, aud the next day started out on tour
Of observation.
Nv FIRST visit was in Commerce street.
climbed narrow stairway, stumbled my way
through dark entry, and loudly announced
my arrival at John -'s home by falling
hat over a chair extended across the door
way to keep the baby from tumbling down
stairs A pleasant faced young woman came
forward with many apologies for occasionng
my mishap, and when she found that was a
Good Samaritan, aud heard her husband
speak in the meetings, received me cordially.
The two small rooms were scantily furnished,
but the wiie's face was bright and cheerful,
AMI three little black-eyed boys playing
about the floor were comfortably clad There
was an old woman crouching over the stove,
and raking out the ashes with her bare skim
ny hands. She looked up scowling as en-
tered then, bending over her work. took no
further notice Of me So addressed myself
to the young woman. talked to her about
her husband. told her how good he looked
since he had signed the pledge, younger
brighter, lreshor how when he rose TO speak
there was always stamping Of feet and a
clapping Of hands so popular was he among
his brother Samaritans; how | liked what he
said because he was humble and dstrustful Of
himself, and he looked to God for help to
withstand temptation. spoke earnestly and
from my heart, aud as praised her hus.
band, the color came to the wiie's face, and
the tears to her eyes.
Presently the old woman by the stove lifted
herself from her crouching position, turned
her face toward me, and nodding her head
said, He's my boy. John is my boy"
Then knew that | had been talking to
the reformed mans mother, and that her heart
was beating with pride aud joy in her son.
And confess that we women are all alike
that every mother Of US, high or low, rich OF
poor, learning thd success in school, in college
or in mature life, Of some dear child for
whom we have suffered and toled and prayed
rejoices as that old woman in Commerce street
rejoiced, and sings the song Of triumph she
saug that day "He's my boy, John is my boy
had trouble to find the next family on my
list. was told to 60 down some stone steps
and down some stone steps | went, and found
myself in a most abomlnabe, evil smelling
beer saloon. The half dozen loaicrs gathered
there looked at me as il they thought | cam,
for drink, and beat precipitate retreat
In another cellar found some girls picking
rags No one could tell where the family
was seeking lived, or ever seemed to hav,
heard the name of Good Samaritan.
At length as was about giving up tn,
search help came from an unexpected quarter
A little ragged, barefooted girl came ruunin.
to meet me. Missus, Missus, iii show vol
where Jimmy -- lives aud she conducte,
me to the spot. In gratitude for the service
rendered, TOOK from my basket little plate
shawl and laid il on her shoulders. Sh
thanked me, but looked only half satisfied
" Don't you like the shawl DEAR" | said
Yes, marm,' was the hesitating reply, al
you'd only put it on stylish like yourn." S,
| pinned it over her left shoulder, after tn,
fashion Of the wraps then worn, and the littl
creature, dirty, ragged, bare.legged, sailet
down Ferry Street, feeling in her inmost sou
that she was " stylish
Jimmy had spoken in the meetings Of hi
comfortable home, comparing it with the eel
lar where Father Ilawley (our faithful city
missionary had found him, where it was 5,
dark, be told us, that the wife had to 90 GU
doors to thread her nee le Well his presen
home was poor enough 1t was low base
ment, aud the walls were covered with damp
ness. Jimmy was at home mending broker
chairs, " used to be master hand L
throw things round when | was in liquor,
he said, and thought I'd give up half I
days work, aud tinker up bit for the ole
woman" | looked at the powerfully bull
man before me- and rejoiced that he was using
his strength to restore instead of destroy.
The wife showed me the bed Father IIaw
ley had given them 1--WE call it the Good
Samaritan bed" she said, and yonder is our
Good Samaritan clock, bought with money
saved since Jimmy quit drinking" and ham
hanging from the ceiling they had chrstened
with the same name. II am SO happy" she
whispered, following me to the door. jim
my hasn't given me hard word or a blow
for better than six months. Why, marin, he
splits the kindlings for me and brings the
water and puts on the teakettle OH I'm so
happy"
1t is the misfortune Of some Of our re.
al hot hnt bo IL.
One Of these, good aud faithful member OF
the society, asked me to visit his home and to
talk to his wife about her evil habit. |
promised very readily to do so, | thought
could find plenty to say to woman es.
pecially to wife and mother, who INDUCED
in this degrading vice. and on my way |
planned little speech in which | was to sci
before her the enormity of her sin.
found her in an upper tenement Of three
rooms with seven children, the eldest ten
years old, sick baby in her arms, and boy
with broken leg on the lounge. She told
me Of her poverty and sickness, how hard she
worked all day, aud every night walked the
floor hour after hour to keep the baby quiet
how collaborating, and nursing, and over.work
had worn her " clear out y" 4; how she was SO
tired, that she would like to lie down in the
grave for long rest. Could preach a ser.
mon to that woman Might she not with a
show of justice answer me after this fashion
Do you come ia your handsome clothes, from
your home Of abundance to preach to me I
What do you know of my temptations, of my
sorrows} Oh, it is easy for rich people to be
good. You are not poor, you are not sick
God has given everything to you, and nothing
to me. II you were in my place would you
be any better than
} read this unspokcn reply in her sorrowfu
! eyes, in her despairiDg face, in her reckless
manner, and was dumb before her, Con