Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
The Surprise.

Yes, it was very uncommon, very re-
markable thing, and half the people would
wonder and probably condemn. They were
at the altar, the wedding ceremony was
partly completed, the man had answered the
questions and made the promises. Then
came the same to the woman "Wilt thou
take this man to be thy lawful welded hus-
band ?" and instead of the usual timid re-
sponse, came tone loud and clear, " No."
The question was repeated with the same
result Something was wrong nothing
would change her answer, and the whole
came TO an end. She was wise woman.
Helen II. had been engaged to james Laird
for some months, perhaps year, when she
found that, alas he was not to be trusted.
Good and honest and upright as he was in
general, he had at times the weakness to
put an enemy into his mouth to steal away
his brains" Helen demonstrated, and he
made light of it she talked more seriously
and then he promised. He said he could
stop drinking at any time CHATS what they
always say of drinking and smoking they
can stop, but somehow they never do).
James said he could stop, and Helen took
| him at his word. And this was her reason
ing; was it not wise ? "lf you can stop
easily, better do so; it will be no great
sacrifice. If you cannot stop easily, then it
is time you should. The very fact shows
that you are on unsafe ground"
Time had gone on and all looked fair
James Laird was in good business; he had
fine natural abilities there seemed nothing
to prevent his having a happy, prosperous
and successful life. So he thought and sc
Helen fondly hoped.
But once and again he fell. She bor'
long with him, for her love was great anC
she was hopeful. Still, she had seen onc'
in her life the daily agony of friend,
woman who was tied to man whose appe
tite was his master, and she had made ul
her mind that no mortal power should temp
her to sentence herself to such living death
And she had talked very plainly to james
saying distinctly "What a man will no
do for the woman he loves he never will d
for his WIFE
James Laird had been a sober man for
long time. lie had resisted temptation an
. taken solemn vows, and all seemed wei
All preparations were made, the wedding
= day was fixed. Helen had detected no sign
of faltering. They came to the altar, an
AS he turned to speak and his face wa
toward her she caught the unmistakabl
odor OF his breath. At the last moment Ii
had either fortified himself for the occasio
y / VI idiith bNihHe"NiSh' 'h"Np h'
IL broken his solemn VOWS, had broken fait
'' with her, Would he be any more faithf
~ as her husband 2 However her heart migl
plead, her reason answered no and whe
the momentous question came, instead
the quiet +" ! will" she answered NO." an
went away free woman. Her heart vi
almost broken but better that than slave
J, TO drunkard, or even the awful risk tn
it might be so.
Here the story ends. 1t may be tn
James will yet escape (the grace of G'
IL knows no limit) and that Helen may yet fI
give him, as she loves him but she W
want stronger guarantees than ever. Al
even then they will have saddened and Il
some of the best years of their lives, and
ala from his sheer weakness and his love
that (which biteth like serpent and stil
eth like an adder"
: M0rai-Let other women do the same a
y save themselves from what Cough calls, VI
me 30 much emphasis :" the unutterable w
NY and horrors of the drunkard's wife" IL
ss, ss worse than death, and when it involves
lna nocent children and their sad inheritance
ali sin and shame, words fail. Beware Select
OF