Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-06-09

\ TEMPERANCE STORY

"Webber and Bailey" began Parson
Wheatly, ''were still young men, though
strongly marked with every ordinary tok-
en- Of iniemperance. They absented them
selves from meeting, and studiously avoid
ed me upon all occasions. In short, they
were, TO all common observation, irreclsim-
able, when the temperance reform began
to be topic of interest in our village. But
you shall see with your own eyes, Mr..
Merrlck, and hear with your own ears.
They have entirely reformed and with
their wives and their children, constitute
one of the most united and pious families
in my parish" at will be needful for me
10 start at an early hour" replied Mr.. Mer-
rick "and fear before il would be con-
venient TO pay them visit" "If you are
up before the cooper and currier," said
Parson Wheally, "you will be up long be-
fore The SUM-"
The next day, at an early hour, the two
clergymen rode forth together. II was n
fine September morning. They had pro-
ceeded about a mile and three quarters on
their way. "Stop," said ParsoH Wheatly,
as they approached the opening of hicko-
ory wood, "do You hear that sound ?"
"What is il ?" said bis companion. "Why,
it is just as told you; that rub dub dub
is The cooper's rereilie; he is driving a
hoop, and you see the sun is but just risen.
Let us move slowly toward the cottage.
You see the busy housewives signal-the
smoke is curling from the chimney top !;
and, dare say, the johnnycakes are al
ready at the fire. There, Mr.. Merrick,
look at that white cottage, with green
blinds, and pretty garden fence before it.
1t is provided, as you see, by the double
doors, for two families. This is the resi-
dence of the cooper and The currier. Three
years ago it was perfect hovel, whose
fallen fences, and broken windows, pro-
claimed its occupant 10 be drunkard. He
was so. 1t was the property of old Bill
Cloyerly, who died, cursiDg the temper
ance folks with his latest BREATH" The
chaise drew up in front OF the coopeI's
shop. "Good morning, Mr.. Weber," said
PArson Wheatley. "Ah, bless me, parson"
rub dub duo, "you are out early" dub
dub dub-"going to Shuflieon, s'pose,
with Mr.. Merrick"-ru6 dub dub. "No,
we have como TO pay you and Mr.. Bailey a
short visit, Mr.. Weber," "Very much
obliged TO ye parson," rub duo du6-ru6
a dub dub. "There, b'leve that hoop'll
stick. Come, walk in. Peggy'll be re-
joiced TO have ye take breakfast with US
sorry brother Bailey and his wife have
gone 10 the city-went off by dawn o. day."
The clergymen endeavored to excuse them
selves from taking break fast, but Peggy
was importunate, aud the cooper assured
them, that the boy, Eli, had caught some
fine pickerel, on the preceding Saturday
afternoon, and that they were, at that mo-
ment, in the spider. They, accordingly,
were prevailed on TO partake of the coop
er's repast. Webber then produced the
family Bible, and read chapter and Par,
son Wheatly made prayer. When he had
concluded, he resumed his seat, and in
quired of his host, il he were so much at
leisure, that morning, that he could con-
veniently give them a small part of 1t.
"With all nay heart, Parson Wheatly," said
he. ''lf can be useful, for can drive the