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

d" It's such pity" said Mrs Lee, and she
turned her eyes from the window. Kate,
her little daughter, stood near her, looking
out upon the road, a small, blueeyed cherub-
like creature. A man had lust passed. |
and it was Of him the lady said, " It's such |
pity"
"A greater pity for his wife and children" |
said Mrs. Lees sister.
"Oh, dear It's such pity for all of |
them," said Mrs. Lee, in quite a troubled |
voice. "Why doesn't the man drink cold |
water when he is dry, and not pour burning
liquor down his throat I've thought more
than once Of meeting him with cool glass
of water as he came by, hoping he would
turn back to his shop, and not keep on to
Huber's tavern"
"That would be too pointed" said the
sister.
alt might do good,' Mrs. Lee went on.
"SuppOse he did feel little annoyed, he
would hardly refuse the cool drink, and once
taken he might not feel so strongly drawn
towards Huber's tavern. The next time
saw him coming I'd offer the drink again,
and with a pleasant word. could ask
about his wife and children, and show that
| felt interested. I'm sure, sister, good
would come of it,
will take more than glass Of water to sat
isfy his fiery thirst, and then, you know, Bar
clay is easily offended. He would under
stand just what you meant, fear, and grow
angry aud abusive"
al don't believe it would make him angry
to offer him cool drink of water" The
child, who had been listening to her mother
and aunt, said this quite earnestly.
! The two women looked at each other, but
| did not answer her.
Mr.. Barclay was carpenter He had
been very well off, but would take glass of
liquor now and then. This led him into
the company of those who visit taverns, and
by them he was often drawn away from
shop and home. So neglect of business was
added to the vice of drinking and the car
penter's way in the world turned downward
Mr.. Barclay had several children. The
youngest was named Fanny, and she was
Just four years old. He was very fond of
her, and often struggled with his appetite
on her account. Many times had he gone
backward and forward before the tavern
door, love for Fanny pleading against love
for rum, and urging him to spend the few
pennies in his pocket for toy, or some
candies, instead Of for beer But the dread.
full thirst for beer had always got the mas
|
On the morning after Mrs. Lee and her
sister were talking about him, it happened
that Mr.. Barclay was without penny in
his pocket. What was he TO do? Not a
single glass of liquor could be had at Huber's
tavern, for he was in debt there, and they
had refused to trust him until the old score
was paid. But how was he to go through
all that day without drink +? The very
thought quickened his craving thirst.
He opened bureau drawer to get hand
kerchief, when something met his eyes thai
made him pause with strange expression
of face. He stood gazing with an irresolutt
air, and then, shutting the drawer quickly
turned away to the other side of the room
For some time he remained there, his back
, to the drawer. A bitter struggle was going
, on in his mind Alas he was not strong
enough for this conflict. up.l
Slowly, step by step, listening looking
just like thief, Mr. Barclay returned to the
bureau, and opened the drawer.
What did he bring forth 1t was little
wooden box, only few inches square h,
had made it himself of fine dark wood fol
, his dear little Fanny. The pennies wer,
few, but all she had received for many
, months were in this box. She was saving
them to buy present for her fathel
|, A desperate look was in Mr.. Barclay.
face as he cutched the box. Hurriedly h,
took from his pocket small screw driver
and in minute the lid was off. Half tn,
pennies were emptied into his pocket anc
then the lid replaced and the box returned
to the drawer.
> He had scarcely taken breath while tn,
!, box was in his hand. Now he sat down, lik,
, one suddenly robbed of strength, and painted
|, The dark flush went off his face, and h,
looked pale and guilty
, "Papap 1t was Fanny herself. TIL,
, loving child came in and put her arm
! around his neck. 1t was as much as he coult
; do to keep from pushing her with stronl
! arms away
: "Are you sick, papa ?" The child ha,
caught glimpse Of his pale disturbed coun
tenance. -tt hU ed
! 81 don't feel very WE'LL" he answered
His voice had so strange a sound to his owl
ears that it seemed as II some one else wer
: speaking. sla r.
, "I'm so sorry" aud Fanny drew her arm
] tighter around his neck, kissing him.
This was more than the wretched maj
, could bear. Rising hurriedly, and almos
shaking off his child, he left the house an,
|, started for the shop. He did not go to worl
Immediately, but sat down on his bench
He had no heart to work Just then.
"Oh, Jim Barclay r. he cried out at last
in tone of mingled shame and anguish
"that you should come to this r.
He got up and walked about like one be
:. wildered. just then a man rode up to hi
I shop. ais that shutter ready for me ?" b
asked.
< at will be done tomorrow" answered tn
y carpenter, hardly noticing what was SAT-
a to him.
q "Just what you told me yesterday" sal,
J, the man roughly. "The fact is, Jim Bar
!, clay" the man added, "there's no depend
z ence in you any longer, and | shall take IN
t work somewhere else."
|. He was in no mood TO bear patiently
!, hard speech from any one SO he replied a
9 roughly, and the customer rode off in anger
!, Barclay stood looking after him, his excite
( ment gradually cooling until the blindnes
! of passion was gone
z Foolish every way !" he muttered, turn
. ing slowly TO his workbench and taking hi
: plane. /" 1t wasn't so once. No dependenc
y in Jim Barclay"
! He was hurt by the accusation. Tn,
= time was when no mechanic in the neighbor
= hood could be more depended upon. II Bar
j. clay promised piece of work, it was sur
d to be ready. Alas how changed He wa
= just as fair in promise now-just as sincere
+ perhaps, when his word was given-but il
(; performance how slow He would start il
( earnest every day, and got on very well un
I til the desire for liquor grew strong enougl
j to tempt him off to Huber's tavern for
! drink. After that no one could count OIL
a him.
o Some panels of the unfinished shutter Ia,
!. on Barclays bench. He began to grov
d worried just as it had been with him man,
d times. But where to begin his days work
o which of his customers to serve first, he di,
+ not know. His hands were unsteady
I sense of heayiness weighed down his limbs
S in body and mind he felt wretched. Ii
/, thought Of Huber's tavern and a refreshing
i glass. just one glass, and his shattered
y nerves would be steadier for the days work
y Then he thought Of the pennies in his pocket
I the treasure OF his dear little Fanny, stole
r from her that morning and such sham
fell upon his heart that he sat down upo
his workbench and groaned In pain.
8 "pll get one glass;" be said, starting ~
/. "for must have something TO put life int
me. The pennies are only borrowed, an
III return them two for one. Just one glas
e TO make me all right" and off he starte