Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-03-06
Robert Gray Mason and the
Irish Coachman.

The most fruitful discourse we ever
heard Of was preached by an Irish coach
man. the eOach-box being his pulpit. and
his congregation solitary minister
About half a century ago. before any
railways were formed in the Emerald
Isle. the late Rev. Robert Gray Mason
was travelling from Belfast towards
Dublin. He occupied the box-seat. and
had an interesting conversation on va
riOus subjects with the eoachman. until
they arrived at the end Of the first
stage. where the hOrsSs were to be
changed. As the passengers descended
from their seats Mr.. Mason said. ..WiH
yOu have \ glass Of whisky. eoaehman p
10 his great surprise. the eOachman very
/ politely declined the offer. In ! short
time the horn sounded; the eoaehman
took the reins in his hands. remOunted
the box. aud the passengers resumed
their seats Away went the beautiful
horses. speeding on their way to the
south. For some moments there was 81
lenee. which was at length broken BY
the eoachman respectfully saying, Per
haps. sir, you were surprised at my de-
elinlug your offer Of glass Of grog ="
Indeed I was surprised. my good
fellow. have travelled thousands of
miles. but never knew eoaehman to re-
fuse glass Of grOg before to-day"
Excuse NE for speaking plainly. sir.
but I see you are minister. aud you'll
forgive NE for saying. that believe If
you Egsr what would have been the con-
sequences. had l accepted your kindly
intended offer. you would trsmJle
Once upon time" continued David
Austen. ut would have been agreeable
enough. sir. for literally lived on drink.
and yet when first took NY seat upon
the box | was IS steady and sober .
man IS ever You wish to see. l was
just married, and had dear wife; and
our little home was bright and clean,
and as good as palace to NE when |
returned to 1t from my work. All,
was light-hearted enough, and could
crack joke with the best of them
People liked me. and one said. Have q
glass and another said. Have a glass.
and l took It first TO oblige them. until
1 learned to like it on my own account
looked for drink. after = time. from
every man who sat beside ne: and i
one failed to offer it | considered hin
mean and stingy.
"From drinking on the box" contin
ued Austen. Il got to drinking of it
Instead Of going straight home from N,
work. as used to do, began to ham
about the bar, and as that Is not don
without spending money, spent all
had. and, worse than that, | had Ion
score behind the door. What was HON
then 10 ne? How could appreciat
its cleanliness or comfort? or what did
care for the anxious, fearful face Of N
wife. when NY body was literally soak
ed and nv brain smothered in drink
For time We plodded on. sir. My vii
began quietly. when l was away, I
work on her own account, and by he
efforts she kept the wolf from the doc
! There was always bit and sop fl
me. and l used to take it, when l eoul
eat it, without caring much about be
But at last was not content with spenC
ing nv own, and demanded money
her. She tried to reason with NE, b
it's easier to reason with madman tha
one in drink"
How long were you getting into th
state % interpOsed Mr.. Mason
Il should think. sir. replied Dayi,
that 1 was something under two year
Quick work. you see but it is BOnde
ful how soon ruin marches in when driu
opens the door, and what ruin can {
when it once puts its foot across yOr
threshold. 1 don't often speak Of thi
sir. but as you are minister Of Il
Gospel. I feel as though l ought to te
= you the story Of ny life
l. Il an interested" said Mr.. MasO
? Please 60 On"
;. at was not long" continued Dav
p Austen, before | found her money D
:. enough. From spending my money Al
ny sife's. began to sell ny furnitur
= This reused the spirit Of my wife. vi
II had suffered long and borne with L
patiently enough but you know. )
y that even a worm VIII turn when trO
&c den on You shan't sell stick. D
vid,' she said but I vowed l would
d not only 4 stick. but every scrap ab0
the house. Would you believe it. sil
I kept nv word We had many stru
= gle over It. and many hard word Al
bitter oath escaped my lips; but pie
NJ BY piece. little by little, / sold ever
E thing. until there was nothing but {
8. bare walls 70 shelter her aud reeei
As ne Some Of the neighbors urged b
10 70 leave me but the loving, gentle n
n " kept by me. That by Gods mer
saved me IL she had left me shOu
have been lost
- II still went on, getting worse a