Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-01-08
MABEL CLIFTON'S REWARD.

NEW YEAR STORY.
Mabel Clifton sat before one Of the win
dows Of her fathers magnificent mansion.
A servant stood in waiting. She was max.
ing out list of articles wanted for the next
day. Coming footsteps arrested her atten-
tion. She raised her eyes from the paper
and looked out. The crimson flush deepen
ed on her bright young face as Oh' in
a tone of deep regret, escaped her lips.
She turned, after an instant of thought,
and said
John, | am not ready to finish this
list, and shall not send for an hour yet. If
you have anything to attend to- in the mean
time, you can do it"
Mr. Clifton had been reading in a distant
part of the room. Hearing the door close
after Johns departure, he said
"You have not forgotten to send for
those wines | spoke of, my dear ?"
"He has not gone yet, papa"
"Ah, well don't make it late. They
will be very busy tonight, her father said,
turning again to his paper.
Papa !"
Neli my uear
"A boon, papa. Promise to grant me,
this last day Of the year, my boon"
"What is it, love?"
Promise to grant it first"
Not in ignorance my child"
Trust me, father"
She had an earnest, eager noble look in
her eyes that her father did trust iu, and he
promised her.
Well, well you shall have your way"
Father, let US have no wines to-mor-
row."
"What No, no l cannot grant you
that. No wines Why, child, have you
gone crazy ? For twenty-five years past l
have offered my friends wine on New Years
day, and never have felt that was doing
wrong. What has come over you r.
"Oh, father, have never felt Just right
when offering young men wine, and just
now, when was making out the order for
John, | chanced to raise my eyes Just as
Edgar Livingston was passing. 1t needed
but glance to see he was very much un-
der the influence of wine. Father, his
mother is widow be her only child. All
her earthly hopes are in him. win they
not be wrecked, think you, if he indulges
in the wine cup2 Tomorrow be will make
many calls. Beautiful women will offer
him wine. He will not have the courage,
possibly the wish, to decliue. Tomorrow
night, most likely, then, he will return home
to fill his mothers heart with sorrow. |
wish not to contribute one drop to that bit
ter cup"
"My dear, whether we have wines or
not, with him it will be all the same, as
you say he will make many calls"
" Father, if you had son you would
feel differently. Think how many young
men of the brightest promise have failed
nay, worse, won truly disgrace and early
graves from the love of wine. And
feel as if Edgar Livingston stood on
the brink Of fearful precipice. Father
stretch forth your strong arm to draw him
back-if only one step, and for moment
If We do not save him, it will be a comfort
to think We urged him not forward in his
fatal course
"Mabe, you are very deeply interested
in the young man. Am to conclude"
"Nothing more than for his own and fol
his mothers sake. | would endeavor tc
save him, or any other young man in hi,
danger, father. Here will be one of his
first calls. Possibly can detain him long
enough to prevent his visiting many place,
where he would be exposed to great temp
tation. Oh, father, please grant me this 2
Really, dear, feel disposed to do as
you wish, but so many will be very mue,
disappointed. Besides, | have not the
courage to make this great change, and sci
five hundred tongues to work speculating
about the cause of it. Some will declare
I'm about to fail others that have growr
penurious. All, what is it, j ohm ?"
Just then the servant entered and hand
ed an envelope, saying;
"a telegram, sir"
Mr.. Clifton tore it quickly open, read it
and exclaimed
'Really, this is too bad But | mus
go John, here!" And hastily writing 1
few words for return dispatch, he handed
it to the servant, and turning to Mabel
said
"My old friend Hartwell is dying, ant
begs that will hasten to him. canno
deny aim. So you will have to entertain
my friends tomorrow, and explain the rea
son of my failing to see them, the first tim'
for so many years And--well, dear, yor
can do as you choose about the bill Of fare
AS shall not be home, the folks will moi
hold me responsible for what happens in my
absence.
"Oh, thank you, papa, for permission tC
do as choose. | will willingly take any
unkind remarks, if any one feels like max
ing them But feel confident that all
who have sons will give me their kindest
wishes for Withholding temptation from
their boys. And to the young men | shall
try to make myself so agreeable, and have
our cook make the coffee so very fine, that
they will go away quite as well pleased
and with their brains good deal clearer,
than if had entertained them with wine
An hour after, Mr.. Clifton was on his
way to the side Of his dying friend.
Mabel sat down and wrote:
"My dear Flora; Come help me re-
ceive our friends tomorrow. Papa has
been called away. must have you with
me, as | am particularly anxious to have
my reception success.
Lovingly,