Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-07-01

! creased misery Tor MS family.
He had now a couple of boys, one of
whom was aged about six years, and
possessed of much intellect. To say
that Jasper loved his children, as the
world understands that term, would be
claiming too much, for he would never
have gone to any great sacrifice of pleas
ure for their sake; but he loved them
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 q
pair of shoes, so overmastering was the
passion for drink in him.
| One day-it was holiday. Thousands
of people were abroad; jollity 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 a cry was heard-a cry of
anguish-t that to Jasper filled the air
with thousand heart rending echoes.
His wife rushed to him, with several
neighbors following at her heels:
casper husband our little Eddie
is dead killed."
1t was too true.
While engaged in boyish sports, his
Oldest boy had been accidentally shot
through the heart by playmate with a
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-
dental punishment, he resolved to con
quer lis 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 decorations 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 "anythiug stronger than
beer" one of his friends twitted him
with being soberer than usual.
"What's the matter, Jasper" he
said, with jeering look; care you on a
sober tack to-day2"
"No; / don't feel like drinking, !"
answered Jasper, too morally coward
to speak his resolve, and the promises
he had made to his wife,"
1" | guess the old woman has been
giving you fits, that's the reason you
won't drink"
The thought that his friends might
believe him afraid of his wife hurt JAS
per, and few minutes later he was
drinking rum.
4" That's the way to be man," said
another of his companions; elf you
listen to the women you'll have no
chance to enjoy yourself.
That's SO, chimed in another.
eyes," 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
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 nleager breakfast, for the
price of which she had worked many
long hour, was not quite ready, he
abused her.
One day his wife, returning from the
cemetery, called his attention to the
"Jasper, darling" she said If Won
would see the wretched conditi ion Of our
little Eddie's grave. YOU would trv to
work and save money to buv il q head
stone. The grass is 50 LONG on and
around it that it is hidden. and no one
would ever think that there is a crave
there"
GIVE got no money!" Jasper gruff1v
replied.
"But YOU might save enough in a few
weeks. if don't Sost mncb "
"I don't care: we're the only ones
who care to o. ia tLe crave oTd I'm
sure we can find if without q tomh-
stone"
"And vet, Won have never heep neor
it since we buried him" was the wifo's
reioinder.
nDo Won think I've oot time to lose o
dav to 90 70 tbe comete2v 2" asked las
ner. an@rilv.
"Time2 Wbv. DARLING " renlied tho
meek wife, "y on have Io6t davs' onlv 70
drink = "
"Drink /" exclaimed Jaeper. with an
oath. "you ALWAYS throw that mn TO me-.
IL