Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-28
Saw Him Through.

They say when Scotchman once gets hi'
mind made up, there's no turning him and
when he once fairly takes hold, he never lets
go. The following is vivid example, moi
only of Scotch persistency, butof Christ-like
faithfulness. Some time ago, the New York
Tribune told the strange storyof wretched
youth who, from mere "animated bundle
OF rags, smelling of stale tobacco and whis-
key" became an industrious, honorable man.
His reform was slow and fearfully difficult,
and he owed it entirely to the patient watch
care of two noble-hearted and unselfsh
strangers. The poor young drunkard, already
in the last fatal stage OF long debauch,
was one morning creeping to grog-shop for
his early dram, when man accosted him
and asked him if he was not " Dick Rogers
SON." He replied that he was. Well" said
the man kindly, "Dck Rogers was my early
friend, and for his sake would like to save
his boy. viii you let me 2" 40, you can
try it," quoth the fellow, with a sneer
"Come, them" and the good Scotchman
took his ragged subject by the arm, and led
him to his own house. The Scotchman was
not wealthy, and though well aware Of the
trial and struggle that must follow, he could
not afford the young drunkard an attendant
In chamber specially set apart, the Scotch
man and his son took turns in tending
young Rogers aud minstering to his wants
Deprived of his liquor, the poor fellow
was soon raving in the horrible delirium
of mania a potu. lie cursed and ragged at
his guardians, and bit and fought them like
a wild beast to break away from their con
trol. Then reason came, and, weak and
trembling, he thanked them, and begged
them not to forsake him, but have patience,
and see him through. lie knew it was his
last chance. His friends did not forsake
him. Their care, and the aid of medical
skill, summoned when needed, at last SET
him on his feet again, after weeks and even
months of daily impending death. As soon
as his health and strength were restored
young Rogers was furnished with employ
ment, and again opened correspondence with
his mother, whom he had long neglected
and who did not even know where he was
But his noble rescuers did not consider their
work yet done. At the desk next to Rog-
ers', in the business office where he was EN-
ployed, sat another clerk, who kept an eye
upon him for his good, and, in fact, ac
companied him like shadow to his meals
and to his bed at night. 1t was the Scotch
mans son. This arrangement was, of
course, mutually understood, but at times,
when Rogers felt confident of his victory
over appetite it hurt his pride to be so
watched, and he would Indignantly ask il
his friend could not trust his honor. "Your
honor has been very sick" his friend would
remind him. :" Until we are sure it's well
and sound again, we'll put no burdens on
it." I'pO gears this remarkable watchcare
continued, and the reformed drunkard was
a free man indeed. He had never ceased to
thank his friends for their unparalleled
fidelity to him. Rogers is married now, a
prosperous man, with nappy home of his
own, which his aged mother shares. Is not
this instance of rare and patient kindness a
blessed imitation of the Friend that sticketh
closer than brother p Youths Companion