Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-08-14

OF her sad history gives mo much pain, and
| only recall Il now in hope Of rcscuing you
from n similar fate. Lizzie was only two
years older than myself, and VIC were greatly
attached TO each other. At school and ut
home, nj our tasks and in ohr amusements,
we were insepartble, and, rs VIC grew toward
wOmanhood, our affections for each other in
creased. Our joys were heightened when
shared together, and, swcetoned by sympa-
thy, our sorrows lost half their bitterness
1t was when sho was nineteen that we
became acquainted with Emory Curtis. lie
was layer, young, talcHicd and ambitious,
who had just located in our thriving village,
and every one predicted for him brilliant
career. lie was n handsome Young man,
graceful in manner and fluent in CONVERSE
ton, and. being fond of society, hc soon
came to be considered quito an addition to
our circle Of young people 1t was not long
before his attention was attracted particular
ly 10 my sister, and indeed they seemed we'll
suited TO each other. The attachment was
mutual, and nothing appeared to stand in
the way of II happy union.
A short time after their engagement, ride
was planned by the young people 10 neigh
boring town. We were to drive out in the
morning. enjoy boat ride OH u beautiful
lake, II Givorito resort of pleasure eekers,
dine and take tea mt u public house near by,
f and return in the cool evening. My escort,
( Emily. was no other than your father then
hardly of age, . young farmer yet living
under his fathers roof, and tilling the pator-
=. A
childhood, and know him then just as you
know him nova man of strict integrity
and firm principles. lie had before this
time, intlmated to me his fears that young
Curtis was not strictly temperate. that he
INDUCED occasionally is the social glass; and
| had, in turn, communicated the intelligence
to Lizzie. At first she doubted its truth, but
on being reminded that Roland Haven was
one not likely to express such an insinua-
| ton without sufficient reason. she admitted
its possibility, but pleaded in defense of her
lover that it was no more than many others
did. This ] could not deny, and being young
and accustomed to receive counsel from my
sister rather than to give it, | dropped the
subject, hoping, however, the habit might
not be firmly fixed, aud that Lizzic's gcntler
influence would be sufficient TO break its
power.
| The day for our excursion came. IL was
clear and beautiful, and, rs we were whirl-
al along over the pleasant road that lay
between our homes and Mirror Lake, we
were us happy party rs one could wish to
see. Our plans were ali prosperous. We
| huI upla soil an he lal-n a natl nrnI
II quantity of beautiful water lilies. then re-
turned to the hotel for dinner. after which
the gentlemen went to the bar-room, some
to enjoy u cigar the others to bear them
company. WO girls amused ourselves in
our parlor rs best we could, in reading,
talking, or resting until the return Of the
| gentlemen, when we occupied the remand
err Of the afternoon in strolling about to
observe the picturesque scenery for which
the place was celebrated.
Mr.. Curtis was, rs usual. an entertaining
companion and his pleasant manner,
cheerful conversation, and sparkling wit,
added not a little to our entertainment. But
it became obvious to all of us before evening
that he had INDUCED in something more
than the luxury of q cigar. lie was still the
same courteous gentleman. but his eye SPAR
kled with unusual brlliancy, and his cheek
was flushed with more than the natural
excitement of our rural excursion. I saw
that Lizzie observed it and was panied, still
she exerted herself to appear unconscious,
and stranger would have called her the
merrest girl among us. As soon rs we
were started on our homeward way, the
subject uppcrmost in our minds of course
found utterance, and Roland informed me
that lie had seen Mr.. Curtis drink more
than once or twice during the afternoon,
either with two or three gentlemen of our
party, or with some bar-room loungors
whom he invited to drink with him when the
others refused to drink again. We talked of
the danger which thrcatncd him, and my
fears were fully aroused for the happiness
of my darling sister should she, after this
proof of the facts she had doubted, still ven
ture to unite her destiny with his.
That night Lizzie and | wept together
over the sorrow which overshadowed her
prospects, and resolved when she next saw
Emory to speak freely with him concerning
the dangerous practice. She did so and
with much regret that he hat grisved her,
for he was deeply attached to her, no ac-
knowledged the evil of the habit, and prom
ised to abstain entirely from any thing that
intoxicaItes. Relieved and gratifed at En-
ory's ready confession Of his fault and evil
dent desire to avoid commission in future,
Lizzie chcerfully set about the preparations
for her wedding which was appointed to
take place the following winter. The inter-
vcning time passed quickly and happily and
| do not know that Emory violated his prom
Use. think he really strove to conquer his
appetite for his own good, and he sue
ceeded so far that, for several months after
his marriage, which took place Mt tho ap-
pointed time, neither Lizzie nor any OF hel
friends knew that he had once tasted of any
intoxicating liquor.
, But in tho purs nit OF hi $ profession he was
brought in contact with those who habitually
drank more or less, and before u year had
, passed he had forgotten his good resolutions.
and allowed himself to be persuaded to
drink with them. The practice being agar
commenced his downfall was rapid
lie saw whittier the current was bearing
him, and made one or two strenuous effort
10 check his career, but alter each attemp
he was again drawn into the reslstless tide
# and swept onward with increased impetus
lie WAS ut this time so constantly under tn
influence of ardent spirits that no ono dared
A to trust him with any important case. Iii
n little savings were soon spent and poor Liz
zie began TO feel the pinehings of poverty
i She was able to procure employment for he
n needle, and in this way for u time she sup
r piled their table, though poorly. She neve
!. refused assistance from us when we urged !
' upon her, but 1t wounded her pride to be tn
' recipient of another's bounty, even thoug
it was fathers hand that preferred it.