Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-26
The Mistake, and What Came OF IL.

Inc Mlstake, anu Vuat Oame vi lte
LESSON FOR YOUNG MEN.
| The whole city of N was shaken by
the mighty forces that Temperance had
drawn to her aid. Old topers even were
reached and many of them were beginning
| TO march with steady steps in the ranks of
| the new power-the water-king.
Perhaps the last to join in any reform are
| those in the incipient stages of wrong-doing.
In N, as in other places, this latter class
were divided into sets - that found strength
| in union, had their code of honor, and were
a law unto themselves. They had their wine
| suppers-no vulgar affairs but recherche in
conception and finish. At the outset one
"set " was composed of few young men who
met for the purpose of mutual help and i'm.
provement, and books and politics were dis
cussed. The wine was proposed to assist
the " flow of SOUL" and at last considered
indispensable to "club" meeting, as they
came to be called.
One of the founders of this club was Ray
mond Walters. He came from a family
whose blood and honor were the Simon
pure" and his splendid physique, charming
manners and generous nature constituted
him the pride and ligh of any society," His
father had died when he was quite young
leaving his mother, his sister Edith and
himself, with small property, which, by
careful management, kept them above want.
His sister, younger than himself was "A rare
specimen of girlhood. Fresh and sweet and
modest, and wonderfully beautiful withal,
she proved as great surprise to beholders
as those exquisite blossoms found in rock
crevices and hideous spots during a lonely
walk in the woods. 1t is often the case that
the beauty or gifts or graces found In our
own homes are, if not entirely overlooked,
at least not fully appreciated; but it was
certainly not so in this particular case, for
the mother welcomed as full-blown perfec-
ton each charm at the first sign of budding,
in either of her children. And the girl re-
allied in her brother all that she had dreamed
of gallant, brave knight. And really no
knight that ever wore upon his hilt his lady's
sleeve was more loyal to his love, or made
more sincere VOWS to conquer through and
for that love, than Raymond Walters. And
all for his adored Edith--albeit she was
only his sister. How he anticipated the
time when he should be able to command a
salary sufficient to furnish her with gar
ments befitting her beauty and attractions.
How she would shine in the brightest COM
pany, and satisfy the most fastidious society
The time did come when he had the means
to apply for this cherished end, and had also
the satisfaction of knowing that his fondest
dreams for her was realized. But the time
came also when this treasure could no longer
be kept as exclusively family gem. Ad-
mirers and contestants presented themselves.
And one was successful-a young man in
every way it seemed, fitted to the maiden.
Raymond adored his sister none the less for
giving place to the lover, but sometimes, it
must be confessed, he almost looked with
jealous eyes upon the one who seemed to oc-
cupy his former place, and receive the smiles
and sweet words that were once all his own.
But he philosophically said to himself, OF
course it is all right Such things must be,
and there is no help for it ~ But he went to
the club more, and stayed later than be-
fore, and the conversation grew more bril-
liant as the wine flowed more freely. At
last be learned to look upon the club-room
as home, and almost impatiently antici-
pated the meetings there. Not that he ever
over-drank. He was one of those rare ma
lures able to place its limit on the hither
side Of excess, and so never lost his balance.
In truth, he would have spent just as happy
an evening without the wine as with it and
deep down in his heart he regretted its in
PRODUCTION. For many reasons he had never
told his mot Ter or sister that wine formed a
had noticed, perhaps it was not perceptible
to the others, that in two or three instances
the wine was educating, only in the rudi-
ments at present, but still educating for its
own ends-one awful end-a drunkard's ex-
perience These things made him i'll at ease,
and for weeks he had been bordering what
could be done. But it is so easy to lose one 5
deep convictions when in the company of
those who have none. And so one night,
going into the club-room, the pictures, the
lights, the tasteful furnishings, and more
than all the intelligent faces of the as
sembled members, gave such an atmosphere
of refinement that it seemed to allay any
fears, and contradict these troublesomes
conditions of the mind that he called convic-
tions. Soon as he entered companion rose
to meet him and said, !" wish to present a
gentleman who has been proposed for new
member" The gentleman was his sisters
lover Why did he start, and turn pale, and
become so confused in his manner. Why
What if the wine should prove snare to
this new member-his sisters lover What
then I Would he not have carried his sister
beyond all remedy ?---this dear sister, his
very idol His mind pictured the dreadful
possibilities, and held them up before its eye,
until they seemed fixed there. Then his
I
"club," when there was no wine; then TO
its introduction, and voice said, "Just
here is where you should have interfered.
You who can control yourself, you should
have been voice for those who are weak. "
Was his sisters lover strong enough to
meet temptation and not be conquered
Perhaps so but if not lin this alternative
lay all his agony.
Then came time, not long after, when a
knife seemed to enter his heart through his
sisters words, swell, my dear brother, hear
you have new member at your club. You
did not speak of it. / have wondered you
did not invite him to join you at your
rooms" What could he say He only
stroked her hair in a plying way, saying,
Dear Edith poor little girl l"-that was
all, and left the room. And she sat, in her
maiden trustfulness and innocence, and ques.
toned, "What did Raymond mean, his man
ner was SO different from his usual joyous
way 2"
His sisters lover proved strengthless against
the allurements of the wine, and then, alas |
as with many another soul, il was down grade
without the power to apply the brakes. And
Raymond, although he brought every art Of
persuasion TO bear, was poweress to avert
the coming doom. His sister loved on, hoped
on, wept on, hoping he would yet be saved
her high-souled, proud, spirited lover He
was saved, but only for another lifei And
when for lack of strength the mad career
was over, she held his hand and pointed the
way until he sighted the peaceful harbor
beyond. He was saved from temptation at
last And Raymond? Raymond Walters
went down into the depths of remorse, but
Ne rose from it 10 high manhood and will
to watch for his brothers soul In quiet
home dwell the two--brother and sister.
Her lover is her lover still, idealized, glori-
fed, but always hers, waiting for her where
temptations no more come.
In this later wave Of thought and feeling
for the great temperance, cause that is NOV
ing the masses, among the earnest, effectual
workers these two may be found.
They have had an experience. And what
mighty preacher experience is l-Christian
at Work.
NEIonBoRLY LoyE.--Genuine neighborly
love knows no distinction Of persons. 1t ID
| 10 tha t,l AL xuh at