Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-26

DebWeen Jne snOp ana tne Tavern WAS u
pleasant cottage. Mr.. Barclay was nearly
opposite this cottage when out ran child,
holding in her hands q small glass pitcher
of water, her golden hair tossing in the wind
She was about Fauny's age and beautiful as
cherub.
"Won't you have cool drink, Mr.. Bar
clay 2" said the child, stopping before him,
and offering her pitcher, while her earnest,
tender eyes, blue as violets, we're lifted to
his face.
Surprised and startled by this sudden
vision of innocence and beauty, Mr.. Barclay
did not hesitate for an instant, but took the
pitcher and drank almost at single draught
every drop of the pure, cold water.
"Thank You, my DEAR" dropped from his
lips, as he handed back the empty vessel.
She did not turn from him and go back into
the house, but stood between him and the
little tavern, gazing up into his face. He
took step forward. The child caught his
hand. "Oh don't, Mr.. Barclay " she cried
eagerly, and in such pleading voice that
her tones went further down into his heart
than human tones had gone for long time.
"Don't what, little darling ?" he asked,
bending toward her in new surprise
"Don't go to Huber's any more" answered
the child.
Mr.. Barclay drew himself up and stood
as still as statue. The child looked at
him with half-scared expression, but she
kept firmly hold of his hand. Suddenly
catching his breath he stopped quickly and
touched the child's fair forehead with his
lips. He said not a word, turned resolutely
and went striding down the road in the di-
rection of his shop.
From the window of the cottage mother
and aunt looked on the scene in surprise.
The act was her own. They had no hint of
her purpose until they saw her cross the
road with the pitcher Of water in her hand.
Her own act did say? Let me lift your
thoughts higher. Gods love and pity for
the poor drunkard had flowed into the child's
heart and moved her to do just what she
did. So it was God acting through her just
as he acts through every one of us when we
try to do good to others. Think of this
God working mercy through us--making us
angels of mercy.
| Mr.. Barclay returned to the shop, took of
his coat and went to work. The cool water
but more the good resolution the child had
awakened in his heart, gave tone and re
freshment to body and mind. His nerves
all unstrung when he started to the tavern
were steady now. No tremor ran through
his hand as he grasped the malet and chise
or plane. He worked with a pleasure mo-
felt for long time.
After an hour this feeling began to veal
off and the old heaviness and thirst fo
liquor returned. His thoughts went Il
Hubers tavern and the tempting liquo
there. But there was something in the wa,
that he could not pass; not fierce lions, bu
pure and innocent child. He felt sur
that when she saw him coming along tn
road she would meet him with her swee
pleading face and pitcher of water, AM
to pass by would be impossible. /" Go aroun
by the old mill" said the tempter, "and tn
child will not see you"
He hearkened moment, then, with a
J most angry tone, he said;
"No, no, no Gods angel met me in a
evil path and turned me back. will nc
, go around by any other way"
, There was spring not far from his shol
! He drank freely at this, and then, refreshed
; took up his work again. How clear hi
' mind was-clearer than it had been for
3 long time. Like beautiful picture was th
: image of that beautiful child meeting hi
in the road and offering her pitcher {
water. 1t was always before him, and tt
r longer he looked upon it the softer his hea
l became, and the stronger his good resol
0 tions.
a For the first time in months Mr.. Barcls
$ came home that evening sober and in h
y right mind. What throbs of joy his pull
e gave as he saw the look of happy surpri
b in his poor wife's face, and felt the deligl
y of dear little Fanny's heart as she sprar
into his arms and hugged him in way tn
/ told what new gladness was in her SOL
t Not until he had returned the pennies to h
n box did the red spot Of shame fade from h
e manly face
!, Mr.. Barclay was never seen in Huber
!. tavern again, nor any other tavern.
k "If," he said to friend, years afte
g wards, The old desire came back, and n
6 thoughts went off to Huber's tavern, it nev
got past the white cottage, for out from
9 porch would always see coming to me
e me, pitcher in hand, that heaven-sent chill
and to have passed her would have be-
g impossible. ."-Seiected