Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-05-26
Another Victim.

haired man, as he bent over the cold, dead
face. "Only yesterday he promised me that
he would not touch the accursed cup; that
ne would not as much as look at it that he
would pass it by. And here he lies |" turn
ing from the still form and covering his
tear-blind eyes with his clasped hands.
| Pitiful tears but they would not bring
back the once strong, vigorous man to life
would not unvei the eyes once bright with
intelligence would not rebuild the shattered
| frame, revive the intellect, brighten hope,
and give strength to pure principles and
straightforward, manly action with which he
started in the race. "Only yesterday he
promised to reform |" still bending over the
sleeper and lifting one crisp curl with his
trembling hand "but habit was strong
possibly his associates laughed at his so
called weakness, and stung him with their
jibes. Only yesterday" smoothing the rip
pie of dark hair away from the broad, white
forehead, "there was hope to-day his lips
are sealed. What fearful change going
at once and with short notice from his
drunken debauch TO the judgment-seat of
God. A slave to strong drink Great God
will the monster ever be chained Must he
longer be privileged to come into our very
homes and fasten his cruel fangs in the
hearts of our strongest and our best Is it
not enough that old trunks must fall Must
our young men be bound to the car of alco-
hol, the purity of their childhood, the beauty
of their youth, and the strength of their
manhood ground into the dust under the ter
rible wheels of this Satanic JugNA -e2
There he lies the once curly-headed~Sy
smiling up into his mothers face. What
picture of calm delight how lovingly her
eyes meet his own Precious child little
did she dream that the bright, eager spirit
would go out in darkness.
youth opened fiattering page. The
proud, manly boy was ambitious to excel /;
his arm was strong, and his eye like the
eagles, lifted to the heights but there was
no God there-the law of the Lord was not
in his heart. Old barriers were broken
down in an evil hour he listened to the
tempter; the wreathed cup was In his hand,
the acclamations of his associates led him
on, the fire of sensuous delight was kindled
in his brain and famed up until the fair
temple was a ruin. There he lies Yes,
there
The white.haired man tottered across the
room with his right hand he drew back the
heavy curtain and looked into the dusky
street. An old man on the corner was light
ing the lamp; its rays shone out clearly on
the passers-by--tall men and closely-wrap-
ped women little children and ragged news
boys. With his blue fingers locked for
warmth, one of these runs up the steps of a
building ablaze with light and giving prom
Use of an open hospitality. A sharp sob
broke over the room, and the wbite-haired
man stepped out into the night. 1t was
years since he had crossed that fatal thresh-
old then it was to plead in vain for the
life of one dearer to him than his own
With the sheeted dead behind him, ard the
shivering newsboy to urge him on, he will &c
again. The dazzling light reflected from a
brilliant array of cut glass dazed him. The
poison cup was almost filled; the blue
pinched fingers Of the boy unclasped. He
was cold and shivering; drink would send
him into the street with renewed vigor
"Spare him " cried the white-haired man
confronting the dealer.
"Ah old man, have seen you before,
a contemptuous smile wreathing the bearded
face of the dealer. "You want me to deny
my customers. You asked me once before
what good did it do you What good will
it do you now :" laughing outright
The newsboy left the glass untouched and
slipped away. The men at the table glanced
at each other and threw blindly.
"You say well you have seen me before
Then came to plead with you; now / am
here to denounce you as a murderer-tht
murderer Of my boy"
Cold drops of perspiration stood on the
dark forehead of the dealer. He trembled
and seemed about to sink to the floor.
at is my right to do as please" gather
ing courage. al pay my license. If you
don't want your boy to buy his whiskey here
let him go elsewhere"
"Only yesterday, my neighbor, had 8
boy. The drink that set his brain Oh
fire was offered at your bar and with your
own hand. Only yesterday, and there he
lies Come with me and look upon your
own work."
The face of the dealer was livid there
was no more bravado.
"lf it is such terrible thing as you say,
why do your laws permit it ? l pay for my
license" he stammered.
"The law of God denounces it, and a curst
is heaped upon him who giveth his neighbol
drink"
"Find it, old man, find it !" shrieked tn,
dealer. "a curse you say-God's curse
1t can't be. 1t is my business my wife ant
my children are fed and clothed by it. A
curse-Gods cursel" The voice was lost il
a hoarse, low wall.
Quietly the men had dropped their card
and slipped away The dealer and thu
white-haired man stood alone.
"Come with me-" said the latter, laying
his long, thin hand on the arm of the dealer
Look you must upon your own work"
The two went out together, and such
sight he resolved never to see again