Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-08-25
An Unembellished Fact.
THE MANIAC MOTHER.

renhement, Pheasant happy home. But he
who made it was borne out from it to come
back no more.
The very fragrance of the profuse flowers
breathed Of the sweetness of the earthly life
to be; but oh the chasm between, so deep
and dark, and into which so many tears
shall fall
But in the depths of the widows great
sorrow there was a joy, in its darkness a
light, loving little lips kissed her tears
away, and little form nestled close to her
lone heart. IL was her boy, her bright, her
darling boy, his fathers image and pride,
and his mothers joy for the FIVE years since
God had given him 10 them. Now he was
all, and her very soul held him in the idola-
try of love. In his life was her life in his
happiness her happiness, in his sport her
pleasure, in his lessons her studies. No
society, no attractions could win her from
him. No other hand might unrobe that
little form, no other ear hear the pure
Now lay me-
The dear head on the pillow, the long
lashes shut over the bright eyes, the little
hands chubby and clean, on the Counterpart,
the tired little feet tossing about as if rest
were not to their taste, were more company
to her than any friends society could be.
Often she would lay down her book or work
to kiss the darling's lips. No amusement,
no gaiety her boy could not share had any
attraction for her. And his devotion to her
was perfect. But when he was thirteen years
old he began to go out some, with boys of
his own age, to store.
The merchant was well.to.do, and very
pleasant and jovial, and the better class Of
men came evenings and told stories and an
ecdotes and news, and the cellar had plenty
OF cider and whiskey, a pitcher of the former
or toddy OF the latter adding zest to the
evening. The boys hung around awhile,
laughed at the stories, but went home early.
And no one thought the malarial air was
poisoning the boys souls.
The widows son had knack at mimicrv,
and one night one of his mates called it out,
and the men laughed and praised him, and
praise with its own mighty charm wooed
him, and with its subtle power won him, and
that store became to him an enchanted place,
and drink from the toddy cup was often
his reward for amusing the men.
As the years went on the closing of the
store was not the signal for home, but for
the billiard room and card table. And the
mother would turn down her light, and sit
by the window and watch, and listen, and
wait-and wait
The boys warm, loving heart would be
back to her for a time-for time
The intoxication of fattery and amuse.
ments was followed by the intoxication of
the cup. A night came when that waiting,
listening ear caught the irregular football
the silly laugh, the tell-tale hiccough. As
she opened the door, he staggered against
her, and caught the balustrade.
Whats-hic-the mat-hic-ter of this
-hic-house ?"
She could not steady him upstairs, but
did into her own room, and he pitched on to
the bed and slept heavily-the bed on which
he had slept in the sweet innocence of child
mood, in the noble and true manlness of his
early boyhood. Now his breath befouled
the air, his breath which had been as per-
fume to his mother, when in caressing love
or pure sleep it had played upon her face.
Oh, God why did it not go out then, when
its loss would have been his souls eternal
gain ?
The next morning the mothers pent
sorrow found voice. To true and Chris
tan friend she told it, and begged
him to save her boy. Aud when he had
slept off and thrown off the potations, he
took him to his home, and kindly and long
talked to him. He felt it all keenly, and
swore never to touch or taste, or willingly
smell the wine cup. For more than a year
he kept his pledge, and his mother loved
him but the more for the "danpers he had
passed."
Then came that birthday celebration that
every youth looks to as a magic dav on which
he bursts into manhood. His pronertv was
now his to control. do not know in what
particular form temptation came to him. !
do know, before he was twenty-five, all his
hopes, his plans, his labors, his desires. his
aims, his honor, his truth, all-all were
drowned in the cnn.
Then came debts, and slow leakage of his
mothers purse, and demands that must be
met to keep him from the Jail or lobby. nm.
til her very house was mortgaged.
One winter day was cold and fierce; he
was going to house across a hill
Don't 90 TODAY, it is so very coldv she
said.
He had taken lust enough to be ugly. and
with fierce oath he thrust her from him.
and strobe away. Evening fell clear and
calm and zero. Night came, but he did not
and all that long. long. cold. cold night the
mother kept huge fire glowing and bright
light burning, and the latest passer-by saw
her pale, wasted face, pressed close to the
window-pane, watching -watching-watch-
'ns' Anu 'nere 'he ihorhinS iounu her, and
,,l q. u no., 49,, A.. Al.
anu ""u nei oo'' anu 'nen iePienisheu tne
ilre ana sat down 10 her lone watch. In
little time sled, with buffalo robe thrown
over long ooJect, stopped before her door.
she ran out.
"Haye YOU found him 7"
He's there" and a backward oestura
was the grutf answer.
She gave one shrek and fainted Kind
hands ana baarts hro,,obt bar ~ 70 l;fo
hu, j., 10. - ~ no. oaoA W hie,
fled.
Sba b.rr,ad 40, or, .,,l ,,.,.,. 49,, ,....,
-"' ~ ~ anu every one io'eu
ner, ana sile was lelt Tree 10 go Wherever she
WI an "0u'u ~ W nou'el WAN III
auu Say iiiiuiy haVe you seen my 10y
lie went over there, pointing TO the hill.
Have You seen him p
Or II would be
Have YOU found nv bow Have YOU
found him ?" and then with n hitter aash
az raasor sho ,',a,II eIr;l n,aitIaaJ,,,
and wiring her hands in agony of grief.
Son,at;n,as /. ,,,,Il H. - -, sS,;n,,. A.
~ "o"i" oe Oie' 'o"0'i0' WIG
otnei, OUT never any other words
wild wall ceased, and one, who through all
Mrs = Half wrota