Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-07-01

after his own fashion-he would willing.
ly have given up his life in their de.
fense-yet he would not have denied
himself glass Of rum to give them a
pair Of shoes, so overmastering was the
passion for drink in him.
One day-it was holiday. Thousands
OF people were abroad; j0llity seemed to
fill the very air, and musical sounds
echoed ON all sides. Jasper was alone
with his wife in their wretched home.
Their children had gone to the sidewalk
to play, when cry was heard-a cry Of
anguish-that to Jasper filed the air
with thousand heart rending echoes.
His wife rushed to him, with several
neighbors following at her heels
"Jasper husband our little Eddie
is dead killed."
It was too true.
While engaged in boyish sports, his
Oldest boy had been accidentally shot
through the heart by playmate with q
their invitation to participate in "only
loaded toy arm. Amid the desolation
that spread over his home, Jasper sat
silent and fearless, accepting this trial
as an evidence OF Divine wrath at his
shortcomings. Thus believing in Provi-
quer his thirst for drink, and to attend
more closely to the requirements of his
home. The resolution was earnest, but
It seems that his habits were too deep
rooted to be obliterated at once. The
principal cause, however. was the wrong
remedy resorted to. You cannot escape
the lacerations Of the lions teeth by
throwing yourself into his mouth.
Neither could Jasper overcome his evil
failings, of drink and dissipation, while
still associating with the companions of
his debaucheries.
One evening. when he had refused to
partake of "anything stronger than
beer" one of his friends twitted him
with being soberer than usual.
| "What's the matter, Jasper" he
said, with jeering look; "are you on a
sober tack to-day9"
"No; I don't feel like drinking"
answered Jasper. too morally coward
to speak his resolve, and the promises
he had made to his wife,"
giving you fits, that's the reason you
WOu uIluhs
The thought that his friends might
believe him afraid of his wife hurt JAS
per, and few minutes later he was
drinking rum.
"That's the way to be a man." said
another of his companions; eff you
listen to the women you'll have no
chance to enjoy yourself"
"That's so," chimed in another.
"Yes," continued the first speaker;
"and if you don't do just as they want
you to, give 'em all the money you make
and then beg of them the price Of your
beer, they start a-crying. Don't we
feed our wives to mind the babies and
wash the dishes; what else do they need
I don't allow mine to bother me, and if
you put your foot down, they won't an
noy you again"
When Jasper reached home that night
he was drunk.
His poor, pitiful wife had to assist
him to bed and watch him lest he should
awake and call for something, and in the
morning when the drunkard rose, be-
cause the meager breakfast, for the
price of which she had worked many q
long hour, was not quite ready, he
abused her.
One day his wife, returning from the
cemetery, called his attention to the
condition of their little boys grave.
"Jasper, darling" she said, Z" if you
would see the wretched condition of our
little Eddie's grave, you would try to
work and save money to buy it head
stone. The grass is so long on and
around it that it is hidden, and no one
would ever think that there is grave
there"
Give got no money!" Jasper gruffly
replied.
"But you might save enough in few
weeks; it don't cost much"
II don't care; we're the only ones
who care to go to the grave, and I'm
sure we can find it without tomb
stone."
"And yet, you have never been near
it since we buried him. was the wife's
rejoinder.
"Do you think I've got time to lose a
day to 60 to the cemetery9" asked JAS
per, angrily.
"Tme3 Why, darling" replied the
meek wife, you have lost days, only to
drink
"Drink !" exclaimed Jasper, with an
oath, "you always throw that up to me.
IT,
His wife checked him by entwining
hor arms around his neck.
"Don't be angry with me, darling"
she spoke, softly. 81 don't mean to
hurt your feelings. I wouldn't do it for
the world. love you too much for
that. 1 don't mean to reproach you for
anything You may dot is only thatit's
killing me to see you destroying youl-
self and injuring your family"
Jasper made no reply, though his
looks were far from inviting.
On the following day he visited his
child's grave with his wife. 1t was we'll
he was not alone on tAis visit, for he
would never have found the grave, SO
uncared for was it, On his return home
Jasper resolved to do something about
having his boys last resting place prop
erly attended to. For few days he did
not see his companions, and hope
sprung anew in the devoted wife's heart
that change had come at last. But,
alas a week or SO later his companions
again proved a stronger attraction than
his duty, and Jasper receded from his
temporary reform.