Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-04-21

wonted stand on The side Of order AMI Ii
ceucy, and the hearty confession be- had in,
made. were convincing. Harry hung hi
head, half in busy reflection over thcs
strange developments, and half ia underline
shame at his own conduct. Now was th
time TO make his own confession. lie coul
tell Simon Of the lie he had spoken; il woul
] do him good, and pave the way for an under
| standing with others. But he shrank tim
/ idly from the act. lie could not make
confidant of one whom he had alwavs locke,
Z upon as an oppressor As he was engage,
in these thoughts, Simon resumed
81 hope this will not stagger you. Hal
have been q wild chap, own but I'm sur,
that it's possible even for such a. ! to re
FORM aud ! mean 10 try, and keep on irving
And II you only knew, Hal, how much hap
pier I've been the last day or two, since
determined TO begin all new. you'd envy me
! know" and the speaker looked earnestly
into the troubled face Of his friend.
Now is the time" whispered lIarry's
conscience; "takc Simons hand and tell him
all, aud ask him 10 pray with YOU"
" even like To pray now-would YOU ever
have thought it Of mo- Hal And / love
Christian people just because they are Chris
tians"
Speak :" said Ilany's still, small voice.
But ! don't know as this interests you as
! wish It did, said Simon. after a pause.
Speak said the small voice again.
But Harry waited. Some dread seemed
to hold him fast A host Of objections ran
through his mind in an instant. Confess
TO 81 Byttes none Of his business don't
make a mess of it' you'll be sorry after.
wards; wait TIL tomorrow; wait till you've
proved this new friendship; don't make q
fool of yonrself," and much more Of similar
kind.
Wen, | hope you1l come aud see as.
sally and me, now and then, Hal mean
TO be more neighborly in future" said the
visitor rising to 60.
Harry held out his hand mechanically
but Simon put his hand upon his friends
shoulder, and said, Do think in earnest
about this, dear fellow " an exhortation
which brought tears to the eyes Of him to
whom It was addressed, but no word followed.
As Harry shut the door after his departed
companion. the words Of Mr.. Bnke's PRAYER
" And if any scholar has in his heart temp
tation or perplexity which no cannot bear
alone, and yet which he dare not reveal to
parent or teacher, or companion, help him
first to lay it before thee" came suddenly to
mind. "Oh dear, wish had told simon"
calculated the anxious boy; and he opened
the door and looked ont. Simon, however
had disappeared in the darkness
CHAPTER XIV.
As our readers have perhaps already sur
missed, this confession to Harry Ames was
not the only one which Simon made in con
sequence Of his beginning a new life. lie
had called on Mr.. Blake and made a manly
apology for the many rudenesses, and es-
pecially owned his disgrace in the affair Of
Ben. Lane. He had done the same to Lane
himself, and had notified Blum that he
should not visit the tavern any more. and
had warned that person OF the danger of
loating in a rum-shop. IL was about one
week from the time when, as novice in the
drnking-band, he had joined in dending a
tlpsy cripple, that he was called upon to
show his new colors still more plainly.
The disturbances at the tavern had long
been the scandal of the community, which,
except for this one blot, sustained the repu-
tation of being most orderly and high
toned one.
lntemperance was rare among the citizens
of the town, the chief custom of "Cap'n
Jones " being furnished 10y teamsters from
other towns on their way to or from Hart
ford. But the disease was spreading. and
several of the natives had fallen into the
habit OF joining the rough company which
was almost always to he found patronzng
the bar at the end Of the day. Several Of
the prominent citizens determined to break
up this wicked traffic, and their plans ri
pened into action at the period of our story.
The prohibitory law was not then in force in
Connecticut; and the tedious prosecutions
Tor violations of license were not very ef-
hcient means of abolishing drunkenness 1t
was determined, after wuch discussion. to
give MIR. Jones both an invitation and a
warning, emphasized by the endorsement Of
all the respectable portion Of the people. and if
this were uuheeded TO proceed to toconstant and
extreme application of THE law. On Saturday
afternoon, therefore, there appeared before
Captain JONES' astonished eyes. three
gentlemen not in the habit of patronizing
his bar, viz Squire kelp, Mr. Blake and
Samuel Bath. We have come for a CON
fdential talk" they said. The bewildered
host was at first at loss how 10 receive
such an announcement, but soon led the way
into back room, after telling his clerk to
F." tend out"
Mr.. Blake soon relieved the embarrass-
ncnt by saying, in q very STRAIGHTFORWARD
way, that the people Of Fairyile had deter-
mined TO break up the traffic in liquor--peace-
ably if possible, 10y legal proceedings il me-
cessary. They were willing 70 pledge them
selves to patrunize Mr.. Jones tavern and to
secure for him q good run # summer Gus
tom from the city, if he would quit the bus
mess. They would let by-gones be hy.gones.
On condition of this discontinuance but
should he refuse, they would bring every
means TO bear to secure his removal. 10
this end they pledged their property and in
iluence and in token of the extent of the
combination, Mr.. Blake requested Mr.. Jones
10 read a certain PAPER, 10 which were af-
fixed long list of signatures The bland
tavern-keeper took the document. read IL I
hastily, aud then scanned carefully the names |
beneath. 1t contained almost every persons !
name in town. lie was not a little startled
10 find that of his own brothtr-in-law. who
had never spoken TO him on the subject and
who, he supposed, was Indifferent 10 temper
lnce. lie also was annoyed 10 see the sig
nature of Simon lyttes. THAT BOYS prol,-
arty and influence isn't much to fear" he
said sneeringly. ave shall give YOU a
couple Of days 10 think about it. sir. and
hope then to get favorable answer" The
gentlemen then left. Later in the DAY Mr.
Jones saw Simon passing the tavern, in com
pany with Mr. Bath. He Immediately
called out 10 them IN stop. &" want 10 see
you both" he said. Come into the ladies'
parlor there is no one there When the
three were seated, he continued IL hear
you and Sam are setting yourselves up for
APOSTLES Of total abstinence" This remark
was addressed TO Simon in sarcastic tone.
and accompanied 10y nod in the direction
Of Mr.. Bath. ave decided to keep away
from drink myself, and to do everything IN
my power to keep others from it," replied
Simon, quietly That's just my case" said
Mr.. Bath, 81 have tried moderate drinking
till see where it leads, at least with most
folks; and I've made up my mind that it's
only common kindness to put temptation out
of the way of young people, and OF old peo-
pie who are too weak 10 mind tleir own in
terests. You've seen the document | sup
pose y Yes, I've seen the document"
Jones' rather stiiily. " DO You
mean that it's all quits between us, sam 2"
- Yes, | shall have nothing more TO do with
you, if you keep on selling liquor"
The tavem-lceper looked dperplexed. What
could have come over his hrotherin-law'
spirit ?
MIR, Oath had not been one OF his largest