Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-07-25
Mrs. DOldrum's Lecture.

Iebef OOluFum WAS luCuu6u 10
be shiftless. he was not q man of ex-
tended business capacity, nor had he,
by inheritance, been blessed with great
intellect or much worldly goods. Peter
Doldrum was day-laborer, in small
country village, owning poor cottage
and poor piece of land but both
cot and land might have been much
better had Peter Doldrum so willed and
determined. If fact, his cot, which
came from the parents of his wife, was
pleasantly situated, and the land had
been once of the very best quality. But
Peter was satisfied to work for others
who would pay him, taking little heed
to the capacities and possibilities of
his own place. And yet Peter had not
lived unhappily. His wife was thrifty,
hard-working, good-natured woman,
very seldom speaking otherwise than
kindly to her husband, though often
sorely tried for, at heart, Peter was
kindness and docility personified but.
alas there was danger of his going to
the bad. The symptoms were strong
in that direction. Gould Mrs. Doldrum
correct him /? She had resolved that
she would try. ... ,r ....-.
1t was cold, drizzling day in mid
November-such day as finds an aim
less, thriftless man knowing not what
to do with himself when left to his own
resources. Peter had eaten his break
fast, and sat brooding over the kitchen
stove. His wife said to him: .. .
"Peter, can't you put some kind of
a weather-strip on the bottom of the
back-door to-day? The wind and rain
beat in there dreadfuliy."
"No," answered Peter, with a shud-
der. "It's cold, wet job, and don't
feel like it," .--a
"Well, can't you fix the pump? The
handle is loose, and the lower box
leaks"
"I can't do it, Susan. I amt a
pump-maker.
"But you can do something toward
it if you try"
"I don't want to try. Ten to one I
should sp'ile it.
"Then won't you fix my mop and
water pail ?" ..-.
"Not to-day. They'll wiggle through
if you're keerful. ....a
"You can at least fix the windows in
our chamber so that they won't rattle
SO, and let in so much wind ?"
I14 s,1,t ha
mood for work. Just you wash your
dishes, and let me alone"
Having thus spoken, Peter arose and
took his hat from the floor where he
had thrown it, and prepared for going
out. His wife knew very well his in
tended destination. He was going to
the tavern, where he would be sure to
meet some of his wet-day cronies, and
where he would drink more or less.
Thus far Peter had not been in the
habit of drinking to inebriation but
the habit was growing upon him. AS
surely as water runs down hill, just so
surely does tap-room loafng and drink
ing lead to drunkenness. Susan had
seen enough of life to know this.
"Stop minute, Peter" she said.
"What for p
"Wait and see."
Peter had curiosity and he waited.
Susan left the kitchen, and when she
returned she had on her hood and
shawl, with an umbrella in her hand.
"Sakes alive Susan, where r ye
going?'
81 am going with you, Peter you
are going to the tavern, and shall KEEP
you company"
Peter stared.
"Good gracious | Susan, what r "
thinking of ?"
"It is lonesome here without you
I Peter, and if there is comfort to bt
found at the tavern why mayn't I &c
and enjoy it with youP At all events
, I am going"
"Susan p.
"Don't worry, Peter; I won't say {
word in the presence of your cronies t.
; hurt your feelings. Well only enjoy
ourselves together"
6, Do you really mean it, Susan ?"
"Peter, would you stay here al
alone in this house the whole dreary
: day long2 am going to the taverr
with you"
Peter was not entirely oblivious. Fl,
felt the reproof. He took off his ha
and hung it upon peg. Then h'
. scratched his head, and finally said
"I declare, Susan, that is poot,
considerable smart lectur' delivered a
short notice. Don't let's say no more
Jest you take of your hood and shawl
, and I'll stay at home"
! Susan went away and removed he
outer garments, and Peter got his ham
: mer and nails and went at work, and be
fore noon he had fixed weather-stril
upon the door; had fixed the puml
and the mop; had frightened the cham
ber windows, besides having don,
/, various other little things that wer
| needful. And, in the afternoon
spurred up by the accomplishments o
the morning, he sought work on hi
own account.
And when night came he felt bette
: end happier than he had felt before il
a long time. And the good infuenc
: did not fade with the day. That proves
: the turning point of life. Thence
D forward Peter Doldrum went on i'm
proving until he became thrifty an,
self-reliant man.