Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09
Only Ale.

We had moved three times in ten years.
Emma, our little daughter, was nine years
old, pretty child, and great favorite with
everybody. Willy was a boy of three, and
we had always been happy and united
family. When we were married. the world
was prospecting with us. Then Charley took
partner, who proved dishonest and nearly
ruined him. Our handsome house was
given up for little cottage in the suburbs
and we consoled ourselves for the loss of our
indoor splendors by the variety and beauty
of our outdoor wealth. The children had
room to grow in. Everything was novel and
beautiful to them-a new Eden. Then
came success again then widespread
series of commercial troubles that again in
volved Charley, so that he lost almost every
thing, and we were literally poor. This
time we found refuge in the home of
friend, who gave up to our use two or three
rooms where we could hide ourselves in our
dismay, and live close.
The times grew no better, rather worse.
Our clothes became seedy, the children's
shoes grew red at the toes. We gave up
some of what had been to us the necessaries
of life-coffee, tea, and sugar. Charley's
cheeks grew thin and his eyes sunken. He
worked with might and main to stave off
ruin, but the evil day came.
1t is very hard for a man to bring such
news to wife and children. But in how
many homes the unhappy story has been re.
peated of late How eagerly looked for
his return from day to day, sure to hear
some spiritless words, Nothing to do
as yet
One night Charley came in with flushed
face. His eyes glittered he was not like
himsol If, but like man under the influence
of fever. His tongue was thick for the
first time in his life he had returned to his
little ones and me-drunk. The fact was
terrible one, but why attempt to disguise
it !? Emma looked at me like one horror
stricken. | shall never forget the anguish
in her face. She knew the full extent of
our disgrace, for she had been brought up
strict teetotaler.
"Go into the next room, dear, and take
your little brother" | said "papa is not
we'll" Willy, who had been sitting half
asleep by my side, went willingly to bed.
For while my husband was garrulous and
silly, but by degrees the effect of the liquor
grew less, and he talked more like himself.
ave had an offer, En-" he said "the
business is a good one, and will reinstate us
in our old style of living. And if | succeed,
as I've no doubt shall, I'm made man
rich man.
al am very glad" said but, indeed, so
saddened was | at TINS hrst revelation oil
weakness that | could not speah with my
usual heartiness, aud he noticed it.
you ought to be. In these times man
must turn his hand to anything that pays.
lts slh 10 let goou chahceS sup through
ones fingers on account Oh one hotiohs OF
| preJudices' LIN SICK Oh poverty i won
deNe IKE c,ouhopper, ana theh starVe on
| ury preau ana g.ueii anu won see my
children IN rags
ihey nave never oeen III rags yer
Charies, l said,
wen mighty near ~ pesiues, 'hele
no use IN your ooJect,hg, you Snow' lou
Will OF cou,Se you WIN pus, unueiS'auu ine,
IL won maze u pa' Vi o'nefehoe nave
maze up my Mina.
Ia. - .he business aAeo' SUI
uel vvlI1' eiueou.ns az NY near.
wen o'einouIgei nas onereu me a1
agency rs rs nov Ii - ~e,e WINS anu ~
hquErs' ~ 70 sen az "n Ws,a rs
oy tne oottie ana cask; lou We neard o.
, H,e'nou,se. are Wen' you neeun iooh
IKE ghose az tha'' iIs arespectaoie ousi
ness
just lnen there came a 500, ana OUT Oh 'he
snauow Emma s,oie toward u.s. never can
iorge' .ne iooS oi horror IN ner race .h'
eyes SO Hourhiui' ehe uo"n'strea'hing Tears
.he oeseeching attitude. IN sne moved III
she gained her iathers side' ana there sh'
dropped down on her Knees
~ papa IL you 40 that, IL you go inte
mat awful business now VIII you meet INT
ruined souls oil poor druhkards ", papa
IL you do that can never look anybody II
the lace again Indeed indeed, dear papa