Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-21

around my neck and sob. My wife, after in
vain irving TO dissuade me, had gone away
where she should not hear the blows that
fell upon her boy.
"When the dear little fellow tainted, I
WENT to the chamber where she was upon the
bed, and bright red spot was upon the
pillow where her head rested. A sudden
attack of hemoirhage. | was thoroughly
sobered now. That night she died. AS /
knelt by her bedside that night promised
her and God that | would never drink again.
And with smile Of Joy, one white hand in
mine, the other resting gently upon my face,
rs it rested near hers, she took my promise
up to God
"When little Robbie awoke the next day
from a troubled, feverish Sleep he did not
wake to consciousness. The delirium of
fever was upon him, and from that fever he
never recovered. A short time before he
died, which was about one week from his
mothers death, he knew me and could con-
verse. lie seemed to awake from that ter
rible night.
"When he woke in the quiet of the night,
with faint voice he called,
90 Father
In an instant | was by his side. Oh,
that he might know me, that | might ask
his pardon
90 Father-forgive-me--for not telling
you
80, my boy How my heart yearned
towards him | wanted to take him in my
arms, and hold him close to my heart.
"After little he seemed to rally as
though for some great effort.
"But, father, feel that must die
| now-and oh-forgive me-but | must tell
10 ballad Irnn Ear ri and I
couldn't bear that
"My noble, heroic boy Kneeling there
with him Alone with tears falling thick
from my eyes, begged his forgiveness; told
| him my promise, and he knew | would keep
| it. But | did not tell him how utterly
| alone | should be when he was gone.
Where is mother 2
go She is asleep
After this he slept little. Suddenly
he awoke calling my name
SO Has mother been here p
"' No, dear
go dreamed she was here all radiant and
white, and she looked so happy
| Exhaustion followed this, and sleep again.
| did not leave his side. Soon again he
woke. Seeing that he was trying family to
| speak, | inclined my head to catch the
| words:
GO Kiss me, papa And his little white
hands were placed by the sides of my face,
as with catching breath he whispered
"'Don't-father, don't drink any more
And then those white hands fell. buried
him by his mother.
"Soon after this, my parents died, leav-
ing their entire property to me. | sold it,
and my own home, and have used my life
since then as you know. 1t may seem triv.
ial to you, but TO me it is never forgotten
tragedy And because | want to deepen
your desire to save the fallen, though it has
torn my heart, | have told you my story"
The old man had risen as he finished
Without saying a word extended my hand
my eyes filling with tears surrounding his
white head with halo. lie tottered towards
me, sunk by my side with his face buried
in his hands He seemed unlike himself
Like tired child he rested his face upon
my shoulder, his whole form shaking con
vulsvely. With one arm | supported him
With the other brushed his snowy white
hair back from his face. Only moment
and then he resumed his wonted calmnes.
and self control. And in that usual con
troll joined to that momentary weakness,
saw the key to character that needed what
God gave of discipline, to compel that con
troll
When he died, his property was all de
voted as he had used it, and is held in trust
to be used judiciously in aiding men who
would break away from the snares thai
drunkenness weaves. His body rests be
side his wife and little Robbie. He suf
fered as few men have, and he served NOR,
efficiently good cause than most men can
Temperance Album