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


the influence Of liquor. and sometimes he
was perfectly sober. and on such occasions
he expressed so much regard for Lizzie, and
such solicitudo for her recovery, that Il was
impossible not TO think more kindly Of him,
and we tried to initiate Iizzio's example and
pity him rather than censuro.
But solcitudo for Lizzie and tender care
were alike unavailing, aud she gradually
failed, until, on the third anniversary of her
wcddlng-day, she closed her eyes to all
things earthly. and, rs we have reason to
believe, opeEod them on that bright shore
where there is mo more sorrow or sighing.n
Mrs. Haven paused, overcome by these
sorrowful rccolloctions of tho past Al
length Emily asked " ard what became Of
Mr.. Curisp"
AFTER lizzies death tho last tic which
held him from utter abandonment seemed
broken, and descending step by step through
the loathsomo stages of n drunkard's deepest
degradation, he died, rtving with doirum
Now" continued the speaker, 4" you can un-
derstand why SEQ only ruin aud deSolation
IN tho wine cup.-ruin for him who is en-
thIallcd by its fatal power, and desola tion
for his family"
yet there arc many, ere there not, "ques-
toned Emily. "who continue moderate
drinkers through life'"
There arc soue," replied Mrs. Haven,
" who, being possessed of great sclf-control,
are able to govern the appetite, and prevent
its increase. but for overy one who has this
power there are scores, who, IN the attempt
TO initiate that which IL, mt the best, i'm evil
example, ovcrrate their strength, and. be e
fore they are aware Of it, the desire for tho
daily stimuant is too powerful to be over
come. Do you suppose thore was ever u
drunkard, who, if he coul have forsecn his
fate, would have tasted the first glass? Who,
among the thousands of young men who now
indulge in the deplorablo practice of treat
ing" dreams that he shall ever become like
the bosotted drunkard whom he scorns?
Yot there are many who will surely fall in
the gull which yawns before them, and who
can tell which they may be? Who can pre-
dict which Of the gay company who now
spend u social evening together, ioyously
drinking to each others success. will few
years hence reel from the grogshops to :,
comfortlcss home. perhaps TO assail with
curses aud blows the once cherished wife,
and the little ones who have learned to dread
his comng?"
at is sorrowful picture. indeed, mother.
and wonder that any should dare to take
the first step III pathway that Is almost
sure to lead TO so dreadful m end. But
many have reformed, molher?"
mot many compared with the number
who continue the debasing practice. Look
around you. and consider how few whom
you know either personally or by report
have reformed after the habit was once es-
tablished."
True; but before they are really con-
iirmed in the habit. then they might easily
break from it if made to see its danger"
=" 1t would seem so, but many have not
tho moral courage to refuse when urged to
drink with u frlend. and, if n little ridlcule
OF total abstinence principles is added to tho
cntreaty. all good resolutions are forgotten.
Some are more easily influenced than 9th
ers, and, though regard for friend may
lead to the adoption of good resolutions. the
influence Of jovial companions may eflacc
from the mind not only the desire to reform
but the friend who animated that desire"
But, surely, you do not consider rcforma-
ton impossible, mother?"
=" by no means, il the endeavor TO amend
is the result Of II sincere desire for complete
reformation, and not as is too often tho
case, n determination 10 abstain from drink
TO please II friond,--pcrhnps long enough to
deceive one into marriage"
Nov you are thinking particularly of Mr..
Blake and myself. Tell Inc freely what
course you would advise me to pursue"
"Simply discontinue any intimate nc
qnaintancc with him treat him merely rs II
friend and await tho progress of events
Shonld ho ask it, avoid giving any reason
for the change in your manner, and, unles:
you are convinced that his regard for you is
such that it would be IN act of injustice Il
pursue such course, give him no promise
for tho future, no ground of hope that If h'
eventually reforms you will reward hin
with your hand. Depend upon it, Emily, /
he has not within his own heart that princi
pie which will lead him to shun the DANCE
which threatens him, without promise o
reward other than the blessed reward prom
ised by Christ to all who live uprightly,-th'
simple desire to please you, or to gain YOU
favor. will never produce II lasting reforma
ton.
do not misunderstood me. would mol
underrate the influence of good woman
1t is almost incalculablc. but reformation
based solely upon n desire to gain the iavo
of friend is seldom enduring. The rul'
may appear hard, but there have been man,
instances of reform which only lasted unit
after the marriage ceremony. Where i
there II young man who, if lac discovered
that the lady Of his choice was addicted
the habit of taking daily dram, would Civ
her term Of probation in which to prov
that she had conquered the habit? thin
there are but few who would not discard he
acquaintance at once. Then, If we obsorv
the same rule in regard TO them, let no
mankind cry injustice
Emily Haven needed her mothers couu
sci, and subsequent events proved its wi:
| EIcu NAhlDlbth
when he detected difference in Emily
manner, for which he could not account
but betrayed no other emotion. He mad
no change in his habits for the better, noithc
as some romantic ones might like TO heal
did he seek the wine-cup Oltener than beior
rs means of alternating his disappoini
ment. Mrs, Haven had wisely checked tn
intimacy between the young people bofor
they had formed an attachment for eac
other, and there was in reality hardly dis
appointment on either side. Mr.. Blake 500
became attentive to n pretty village mAidel
and AFTER short courtship they were mal
ried. Alice Merton was II gentle, confdin
girl and when cautioned by friends concern
ing Fred's one bad habit, she took counsel Q
her heart rather than her judgment, an
boosted his assurances that he was maste
Of lila onnniifa and his nramisps 10 nhstai