Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-22

ing him through the cold alleys and crowded
streets. In heaven they would be glad 10
here that he had become good man. The
thought broke down all his pride, all bis
bitterness he wept like little child and
the Christmas gift Of Christ--the sense Of
real present, loving, pitying Saviour-came
into his very soul.
lie went homeward as one in a dream.
He passed the drinking saloon without a
thought or wish Of drinking. The expuIsivc
force of new emotion had for the time
driven out all temptation. Raised above
weakness, he thought only Of this Jesus, this
Saviour from sin, who he now believed had
followed him and found him, and he longed
to go home and tell his wife what great
things the Lord had done for him.
scENEv.
Meanwhile little drama had been acting
in Johns humble home. His wife had been
TO the shop that day and come home with
the pittance for her work in her hands.
TN pay you full price to-day, but we
can't pay such prices any longer" the man
had said over the counter as he paid her.
" Hard times-work dull--wc are cutting
down all our work-folks you'll have to take
third less next time"
IN do my best" she said meekly. as she
took her bundle of work and turned YEARLY
away, but the invisible arm Of the Shining
One was round her aud the words again
thrilled through her that she had read that
morning He shall redeem their sonis
from deceit and violence, and precious shall
their blosd be in His sight" She saw no
earthly helper; she heard none and felt
none, and yet her soul was sustained, and
she came home in peace.
When she opened the door of the little
room she drew back astonished at the sight
that presented itself. A brisk fire was roar
ing in the stove, and the tea-kettle was sput-
tering and sending out clouds of steam. A
table with white cloth on IL was drawn out
before the fire, and a new tea set Of pure
white cups and saucers, with teapot, sugar
bowl, and creamer complete, gave festive
air to the whole. There were bread and
butter, and ham-sandwches. and Christ
mas cake all frosted, with little blue and red
and green candles round it, ready to be
lighted, and bunch Of hot-house flowers in
pretty little vase in the centre
new stuffed rocking-chair stood on one
side of the stove, aud there sat Miss Florence
De Witt, our young princess Of Scene First,
holding little Elsie in her lap, while the
broad, honest countenance Of Betty was
p'ahiiils Win hlnnuesS uOWn ON tne ue-
lighted face of Tottie.
The little princess had pleased herself in
getting up all this tableau. Doing good was
a novelty to her, and she plunged into it
with the zest of new amusement The
amazed look of the poor woman, her dazed
expressions Of rapture and incredulous Joy,
the shrieks and cries of confused delight
with which the little ones met their mother,
delighted her more than any scene she had
ever witnessed at the opera-with this added
grace, unknown to her, that at this scene the
invisible Shining Ones were pleased wit
nesses
She had been out with Betty, buying here
and there whatever was wanted--and what
was not wanted for those who had been liv.
ing so long without work or money?
She had their little coal-bin filed, and q
nice pile of wood and kindlings put behind
the stove. She had bought a nice rocking
chair for the mother TO rest in. She had
dressed the children from head TO foot at a
ready-made clothing store, and bought them
toys to their hearts desire, while Betty had
set the table for Christmas feast.
And now she said to the poor woman at
last
I'm SO sorry John lost his place at
fathers. He was so kind and obliging, and
| always liked him. aud I've been thinking,
If you'd get him to sign the pledge over
again from Christmas Eve, never to touch
another drop, I'll get papa to take him back.
always do get papa to do what want, and
the fact is, he hasn't got anybody that suited
him SO well since John left. So you tell
John that mean to go surety for him; he
certainly won't fail me. Tell him | trus,
HIM" And Miss Florence pulled out
paper wherein, in her best round hand, she
had written out again the temperance pledge,
and dated it " Christmas Ere, IS"
Now, you come with John tomorrow
morning, and bring this with his name to it,
and you'll see what III do !" and, with kiss
to the children, the little good fairy de
parted. leaving the family to their Christ
mas Eve.
What that Christmas Eve was, when the
husband and father came home, with the new
and softened heart that had been given him,
who can say? There were joyful tears and
solemn prayers, and earnest VOWS and pur-
poses of a new life heard by the Shining
Ones in the room that night.
And the angels echoed around the throne
Rel fufth the Inn hriu hael