Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-01-22
my lad, befors the temperance folks get
the weather-gage of him."

AS lOHl JWsBSOQ was 10 Sail LII dUOut d
week, l sent by him few lines of comfort
and small remittance for my mother.
As have already stated, they never
reached their destination. The Oronoke,
of which he was first mate, foundered, and
the whole crew persisted.
After | had arrived at Oporto. the crew
of the Swiftsure were discharged; and,
finding a favorable chance, l shipped tor
Philadelphia, where we arrived after an
extremely short and prosperous passage.
directed my course, once more, to nay
native hamlet. Ny feelings were Of
painful and perplexing character. With
the little property which 1 had gathered,
l fe't conscious of something like power
and influence, with which, by Gods grace,
| hoped to comfort my mother. Yet,
when recollected the ungovernable vio-
lence of my fathers temper, under the
stimulus of liquor, l almost despaired of
success. At any rate, thought l, could
behold the face of her who bore me, and
receive her blessing once more before she
died.
Having sent my baggage forward, l
performed considerable part of the jour-
ney on loot. had arrived in the village
adjoining our own paused to look at
the barn in which, five years before, had
passed miserable night. 1t brought be-
fore me, with pain, the gloomy record of
the past.
| had arrived within two miles of tie
little river which forms one Of the bound
airy lines of our village. | was passing
little grocery, and, standing at the door,
| recognized the very individual who for
merly kept the principal saloon in our
town, and from whom my father had pur-
chased his dram for many years. Although b
it was already gray twilight, l knew him
Immediately; and, however painful to ap
proach person in whom | could not fail
to behold the destroyer of my father,
could not repress an earnest desire to learn
something of my family, | accosted him,
and he remembered me at once. His
manners were those of surly and dissats-
fed man. In reply to my inquiries, he
informed me that my parents and my Sis
ter were alive, and added with sneer,
that my father had set up for a cold-water
man g but" continued he, with spiteful
laugh, he'll never stand" On further
inquiry | aScertained that there had been
a temperance movement In our village,
and that the seed, as poor Tom johnson
said, had been scattered there with an un-
sparng hand. also gathered that large
majority of the inhabitants had voted "no
license" and that he himself had there
fore been obliged to quit his bad business
and take to a new one.
turned from the dram-seller and pro-
ceeded on my way. 1t was quite dark
but the road was familiar to my feet. Ii
afforded me unspeakable pleasure to learn
that my mother and sister were alive and
well. But | was perplexed with the dram
sellers statement in relation to my father.
Can it be possible, thought |, that he has
become cold-water man? Twelve years
my father had been an Incorporate man
and even If he has abandoned ardent spir-
its for time, how little reliance could be
placed upon a drunkarGs reformation
Besides, Tom Johnson had expressly stated
that my father had been exceedingly hos
tile to the temperance movement from the
beginning.
Il W lth these reflections, my mind continued
to be occupied until entered our village
| 1t was about half past nine when L came
within few rods of the old cottage. A
light was still cleaning forth from the
window | drew slowly and silently tC
the door.
thought l heard voice. | listened
attentively. 1t was my fathers. Ny
, mother appeared not to reply; such wa.
her constant habit whenever, under the
influence Of liquor, he gave loose reir
to his tongue, and INDUCED in unki ind anC
/ abusive language. | drew still nearer
and, passing softly into the entry, listene
more attentively at the inner door. Can
it be possible! thought l. He was en-
gagged in prayer, in fervent and piou'
: prayer He prayed, with trembling
voice, for the restoration of an absent son
There was a pause. From the movement
| within, it was evident they had risen from
their knees
gently raised the latch, and opened
the door Language fails me in attempting
! to describe the meeting.
Ny regenerated old father fell once more
upon his knees; we all followed his exam
pie and before a word of congratulatior
had passed from one to the other, hC
poured forth such touching strain o
thanksgiving and praise to the Giver Of
every good and perfect gift for my safe
return, as would have melted the hardest
heart 1t came directly from the heart O
truly penitent sinner, and it went strait.
way to the God Of mercy. | gazed upor
my poor old father. 1t seemed like the
. moral resurrection of one already dead anc
buried in trospasses and sin. glanced
rapidly about me all was peace, all was
order, where all had been strife and con-
fusion before. The spirit-jug no longer
occupied its accustomed place upon the
table; the expanded volume of eternal
life was there in its stead
God had mercifully softened the stub.
born soil in my fathers heart. The seed
had not ali fallen, as Tom johnson sup
posed, upon stony places. Others of them
have sprung up, as in our own highly
favored heritage, and borne fruit an hun
dred fold. Let US thank God. then, who
hath enabled ug abundantIy to gather the
harvest; for peace is once more at our
freside; the wife has reg ined her hus'
band, and the orphans have found theil
father.
L. VI. G.