Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-11-23

dread to taste again the NORWOOD and the gall,
Father oh hear my cry. answer my earnest call"
IL is a dreadful thought that the day ap-
pointed to give thanks to our heavenly
Father for all his goodness, watchfuness
and wondrous love was the day in which
Chester Morfield was tempted by one fair
and winsome in appearance, and fell. The
blue eyes and charming voice of beautiful
| girl had proved a temptation irresistible
That one glass paved the way smoothly to
| the second, and after that they came thick
and fast for Mrs. Morfeld found, to her
great agony, that her boy was one Of the
| many who could not be "moderate"
drinker, but rather one who, once started
face downward, would know no change
until he touched bottom. She seemed sud-
denly to have lost all influence over him,
and yet many silent invocations went up to
God in his behalf.
Could five years create such change in
the look of two young people II certainly
did in these two, Chester Morfield and Edith
Dunhaven. Chester, who had been bright,
handsome and intelligent, was now but
wreck. His face was bloated, aud his heavy,
handsome hair long and matted with neglect.
An old yellow silk handkerchief--relic Of
better days-was tied loosely around his
neck, perhaps insinuating the remnants of
lingering pride which endeavored TO conceal
the absence of a shirt collar.
And Edith, why this change in her She
loved Chester, and that fact made all the
difference. The flaw she had discovered in
him crushed her, and when her lover taking
her outstretched hand in his babe her
"good-by," the laughter all died out of her
eyes and its place crept look of remorsefu
misery. But the years rolled on the days
Of Inconsistencies, the days of feverish
rawlings, had passed away for + iith, leaving
her with a burdened heart, pale pitiful
face, and helpless hands.
1t is the day before Thanksgiving, and
Edith just at twilight is sitting in her pleas
ant room. It is pretty room and the pic
ture of comfort, but it brings none TO its
occupant. She does not see the glowing
grate-fre, nor the blossoms all about her on
her carpet, on the tasteful wallhangings and
dainty curtains she does not even seem
conscious of the warbling of her beloved
bird in the window, but instead she looks
steadily out of the window at the white
snow, falling on the bleak hillside, the vii
lage houses, the village streets-indeed, on
every passer-by in sight of her weary eyes.
She is wishing she might lie down under
the pure, cold covering and sleep her last
sleep then she would not be constantly
thinking of the absent one. "But, o my
God 1t was who tempted him to his ruin.
D my God forgive me-" And Edith fell
upon her knees in prayer.
Thanksgiving morn The sumptuous
dinner-table at Mrs. Dunhavep's was already
set with the best china aud silver the
house afforded. Poor Mrs. Moorfield, who
had not heard a word from her beloved but
erring son in nearly five years, was there by
special invitation; but she was the only
guest-for Edith's sake, her mother would |
invite no other person on the day which
brought such sad memories. The snow is
descending still faster to-day, and the north
wind blows fiercely by. Mrs. Morfield says,
with nervous SILVER, What bitter day |" !
Only commonplace remark, but Edith's |
heart echoes it as she looks into the worn,
dark face and earnest, sad gray eyes of Ches- |
ter,s mother. But dinner is nearly ready,
and for the sake of the sadhearted mother |
Edith is brave. She brings out beautiful |
pictures from her easel and new treasures |
from her cabinet to interest her guest, but |
Just as the dinner is announced there is a |
ring at the front door bell. Edith drops her |
pictures to answer the summons, and STAYS |
80 long that her mother goes in search of |
her. young man at the door is saying |
80 Edith we will keep this Thanksgiving |
together; but must find my poor mother" |
All that voice; she knows it is Chester's. |
Silently she goes back and sends into the |
hall Mrs. Morfeld, and a moment later |
mother and son are folded in fervent en-
brace.
81 cannot tell you now all the steps in
which was led out of the depths" Chester
said in explanation of his reformation but
1T was tiny tract, one year ago, which gave
me my first upward impulse. Then it was
strong, gentle hand which lifted me from
the curbstone, and loving voice which en-
treated me as brother, while his generosity
provided wholesome nourishment for my
weakened body. But it was pleading,
heartfelt temperance speech which lifted me
completely out of the mire and transformed
me, as 1t were, in a moments time. His
plying voice was the touch which opened
the fount of the long pent-up waters Ia my
heart, and the mingled thoughts which
flooded my soul then, the sweet and bitter
currents of bygone days, l cannot express
to any one. / arose steadily after that and
secured good position in the city, which
has filled my empty pockets. l wanted to
be sure OF myself before returned to you,
but 1 was trusting entirely in my own
strength until last night being obliged to
remain In little town containing only one
little church, I felt impelled to attend its
weekly evening service. The minister who
led the service was one of Gods chosen
vessels, and his fervor and love, added to
the Innocence and purity of the place, COM
pletely overcame me; felt my weakness as
the spell of the holy beauty of the surround.
ings and the associations wove its cord
about me, and l bowed low in repentance
aud supplication, and the Lord put his arm
about me and am strong"
Chester's voice grew lower as he talked,
but as he uttered the last earnest words his
his eyes grew glad and bright with the VIC
tors look. As Edith wiped the tears from
her eyes she thought, with beating, Joyous
heart, "That was the time when was on
my knees praying that God would wash him
whittier than snow 'Ohl magnify the |
Lord with me and let us exalt his name for
ever "-National temperance Advocate.