Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-10-04
4 Timely Word.

fAf NNlAf 0A''Aff EARNAiN NN'iiAAthF WANt
had settled comfortably down before my
bright fire. with the pleasant jingle Of the
tea-things in my ear, and an entertaining
book in my hand furious ring was heard
at my surgery bell.
Dear mel' / thought, putting my slip
pered feet snugly on the fender surely,
nobody wants the poor doctor tonight"
"Wanted, please, sir" said my servant,
as he slipped a note into my hand. | looked
att in dismay. Yes, was really wanted, and
that without delay Only distance Of sew
eral miles, and that right across the dreariest
part OF the forest. There was no help for it ;
must put on my dreadnaught, and start
Immediately. The moon was nearly at her
full-that was one good thing.
"Who brought the note, Giles 2" | in
quired eagerly, with a vague hope that the
messenger might bear me company.
"Old Peter Cox, sir
as he going back, then p
" Oh, no, sir He'll sleep at his daugh-
ter's, sir
" Well, get jerry saddled, Giles; ! must
start in five minutes"
Jerry came around at the appointed time
"a fine, stouty-built, brindly cob, capable
of doing a vast amount of work, with a
splendid head and pair of large, lustrous
ewes. Jerry and had been fast friends for
several years. lie knew the forest almost
as well as / did. | always selected him for
difficult journeys. think he knew it was
rather unpleasant now, so be gave a snort Of
determined acquiescence.
We cautered pleasantly along the strag-
Cling village road, catching glimpses OF snug
fresides and busy farmsteads, then out into
the lonely, dreary forest.
Not one single wayfarer did we meet,
though We had passed over five or six weary
miles. Suddenly Jerry pricked up his ears,
and gave a snort of intensified delight. !
listened, and by-and-by saw something loom
ing in the far distance then the creak OF
the wheels was heard breaking on the 81.
lence. What could it be \ coal-higgler'
cart, drawn by a wretched half starved horse
dragging his weary load painfully along
But where was the huckster himself Not
with his cart Oh no. The patient and dill
igent creature was fulfilling his task more
faithfully than his master. Where could he
be2 Jerry seemed concerned, and cast a
pitying glance on the lank, lean, much-en-
during animal but he went on, and so did
we. For full mile nothing was to be seen
/ then a small dark speck was discernible in
/ the stream of light-a man careering along
| legs apart like pair Of compasses, making
/ vain endehvors to steady his reeling steps
/ The man. though evidently under the inlu
ence of strong drink apparently knew me
or guessed at my profession.
/ say, doctor" he stammered out, is
that you? stop, il ye please; ! want to az
/ you a question
Wen, my friend replied, gently draw
/ ing Jerry to a stand, what is it 2"
Why, | want ye to give me prescrip
ton. You've a great name doctor, in thes'
parts, and you're a good friend to the poor
maybe yen give it to me for naught."
"What for, my friend What ails you ?
"Well, sir, | want prescription for keep
ing my legs from turning into the public
house. Ii | could only get that, ! should b
all right, you know, doctor"
you set me fast, my man. | replied
quite puzzled for the moment; "you set IN
fast. ! really cannot give you such pre-
scripton. But now think of it, there is
very great Physician, friend of mine, VIII
both can and will give you what you want
if you apply to him"
"Where is he, doctor ? Does he charg
high 2"
vice quite freely, without money and Will
out price lie is very great physician, a
| said. Your only plan is to go to him"
That will |. Only tell me his name an
where he lives"
hesitated, looking steadfastly at the poo
reeling, staggering figure of the drunken hls
gler, and wondering if indeed he might b
able to understand me. The man thought
was undecided about giving the Great Ph.
sicans address so he cried out implorlngl.
80, doctor let me know where he lives
Now, do, doctor; for indeed | VII take
whatever it may be | will indeed and
, truth, Doctor And the man fixed his kee
gray eyes earnestly upon me. lie real
meant what he was saying ~ be poo
wake, frail body, doctor, an | be feared {
losing body and soul, be indeed, Now te
b me his name, doctorl
n "Well, my man. | said, touching the Il
b of his shoulder with my whip, listen to m
and mark my words. The Great Physicia
is the Lord Jesus Christ. Go to Him straigh
Go to Him, and lie alone can give you VIII
y you want
e The poor fellow seemed suddenly sobere
He gathered his feet together, and stoC
erect he neither spoke nor stirred. ii
thoughts were powerfully, irresistibly e
= crossed; he seemed riyeted to the SPOT.
% | wished nm bOOu-IfBnl, anu pdSseu oH u
!. lonely track. | looked back there stood b
E. small dark figure, transfixed. | look'
again there it was scarcely discernible
the great distance. There was turn
the road, so | saw the coal-higgler no MOI
Some few weeks passed, and again
held the small wiry figure; not drunk no,
but alert and brisk about his small TRAN
He avoided me, however, so | took no motto
Another day, some few months att'
when the duh winter had passed away, Al
the spring flowers were peeping, and q
80 birds building among the trees or in q
thatch, and all nature wore a smile, espl
the little coal-higgler, sitting on his ca
le. too. wore a smile. lie caught my ey
bounded towards me, took hold of the re
of nv horse, of my hand, of both han'
shook them warmly, pressed them betwe
both of his own, quite unmindful OF th'
state. Tears rolled softly down his tn
cheeks-blessed tears, such as angels love
see. "God bless you, dear, good doetc
nv NJ. God bless youl" That was all, and enoulg
M we understood each other entirely.
c, turned the grateful pressure. l fancy i
ia. own ewes grew dim; | know that tears we
in nyyoiee when returned his benedlctlt
\" ~ That coal-cart was never seen standi
he before a public-house again. The old MOI
ils grew sleek and trim. lie, too, may ha
,n felt, as | did, the truth of the words -
RS word in season, how good it is p'-iHusfrd
Christian Weekly.