Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-31


slant lie was surprised, however, 10 see
that Simon drank with the rest, aud, although
not SO much overcome as they, was yet evi-
ddntiy far from being himself. The brilliant
qualities which had made this sehoolfnate
favorite with him now fell into the back
ground. lie saw wit, talent, and winning
socialqualities ministering TO low buffoonery
and beastliness. IIis eyes were opened 10
the danger of that hero worship, which he
had unconsciously bestowed upon an un-
worthy object. lie had often seen in Simon
disposition TO put no limits 70 boyish sport
but he had never supposed him capable Of
such degrading license as this which was
now enacted before his very eyes lie at
once struck out from the roll Of his friends
one whom he had only suspected Of being
too impulsive, bnt whom he now knew 10 be
actually mean and selfish. All this passed
through his mind in that single moment in
which he peeped above the low, half-curtain
which hung at the tavern window. lie knew
not which it were best 20 do-to 90 home
and leave these swine TO walIow in the mire
winch they had chosen, OF 10 make some at
tempt to rescue the least blamable and most
suffering Of them, for whose plight he was
responsible. To meddle with any Of the
parties 10 such a scene was new business TO
him, and promised 10 be well-nieh useless.
just then heavy crash inside drew his at
tention, and at once decided him.
Ben, almost helpless from rheumatic stiff
ness, and at last quite so from the effect Of
drink, fell heavily to the floor, striking the
stove-pipe as he fell, and was instantly Gov
cred with soct, and terrs. and curses James
entered the door Of the bar-rOom Just as
Simon Byttes was bestowing upon the fallen
man as clumsy a kick as the beast acohol
ever invented, and just in time TO prevent
the landlord from following it up with a so-
Der blow. James terrified face had for
Jones all the effect OF an apparition upon
timd believer In ghosts Squire Darleys
Oldest son was never seen in the tavern was
never heard ahouting in the streets at night
was never known to keep company with any
body who openly patronized Mr.. Jones' bar.
What could he be wanting here alone in the
evening when his father, as everybody knew,
had gone 10 the conference at Shallow Bay
The landlord, who was shrewd enough not
TO drink much Of that which he urged upon
others, and never forgot that host must be
polite TO everybody, drew back, as he saw
James, and with good-natured nod. said,
in the brisk way with which he welcomed
every newcomer, Glad to see you, sir; ; any
thing can do for you, sir 2 Glad to see
the Squire's son any time, sir; hope these
unmannerly lubbers won't frighten you. sir
they mean no harm, and reckon can't do
much now, sir ha ha, haw. And Mr..
Jones, of the Bald Eagle, thought he had
made an excellent Joke
james had on his tongues end severe
reply, but leer of recognition from Simon
put it out of his power to say anything is
that my friend, thought he. Never again"
L..
friend. of the heggars' brigade, suppose,
sir 2" asked the landlord. Z" You see he's
just met with an accident"
" Mr.. Jones. there's more than an accident
here. Your ruinous traffic is not an accident"
Mr.. J, filed his small glass from private
deeanter, aud with mocking gesture of re-
spect, drank to what he supposed was his
own health and comfort, saying, before he
did SO, "To the health Of our new temper
ance reform hope the proprietor of the
Bald Eagle will have the honor to entertain
him, and to profit by his eloquence."
While this was going on, James had raised
Ben TO a sitting position and drawn him
away from the stove, at which the tap-boy
was hammering, in order to replace the pipe.
"You have nice subject to begin on,
sir" said the landlord, in satrical tone.
"Will you take him up 10 the Squirc's, and
give him a few temperance tracts, sirf or
will you leave him in the care of your friend
Simon ] believe you gave BOBBY AN ugly
trip, to-day, and perhaps you might make
that an introduction to his good graces.'
james was vexed and perplexed beyond
measure. To take Ben away in his present
state was hardly possible, even if the land
lord would allow it on the demand OF boy.
! To leave him would be to abandon him To
the tender mercies of the wicked. which he
had already seen to be cruel. Just at this
moment of doubt who should enter but Mr..
Blake, who, feeling uneasy about the fate of
his patient, thought he would make him an
earlier visit than he had announced to the
landlord
"Why, James, what are you doing here "
he said with great surprise.
All that james could do was to point TO
the half-prostrate form of Ben and look over
his shoulder at Simon, who now seemed to
have succumbed like the rest to the effects
of the drunken carousal.
Mr.. Blake looked sharply at the landlord,
and then, without any words, contrived,
with James aud the porter's assistance, TO
get Ben up stairs and into bed. Then he
said TO his pupil
"Go directly home your sister win be
anxious about YOU stop and tell my wife
that shall stay at the tavern tonight, and
do you have nothing to say to Slmon' Let
INN lie where he Is Goodnight.
The peremptory manner IN which tins was
said lett no room Tor dissent, and Jarnes
promptly obeyed' As he came near the
house, he saw Maria standing III the door
way, iiiekerlng candle IN hand, looking out
into the RAINY and dark night with strained
eyes and anNiously calling Jamie are you
there
lie could not help letting her eau twiee
without an answer unwilling TO disturb the
elements oil so ialr n picture. Inc beauti-
iul features tense with emotion, the grace
inlly poised hgnre, and the sweet voice,
these were indeed a contrast TO the bloated
yisages, reeling forms, and vile oaths OF the
tavern
CHATTER ~
Most OF the children mentioned in this
history ha an excellent habit Of punctnality:
Mrs Reems and Mrs. barley never allowed
their household machinery to run down or
get rusty, and late breakfast was an I'M
known thing in their families. At Harry
Ames' home, however there was frequently
a hitch of some kind, owing to the division
Of responsibility between grandmother,