Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-05
I" VIII It Pay!"

standing at the street corner conversing with
friend in regard to business. A young
man who was passing stopped abruptly,
and, without intentional rudeness, gazed at
the speaker, who said
al did not address you"
No, sir; but you asked question, and
thank you for it all the same"
" You are under no obligation to me but
excuse me, LYON, | will see you another
time" And Mr.. Browning turned to fol-
low the young man, who had already Joined
the hurrying crowd.
"Frend, allow me to speak with you,"
he said, addressing the stranger, noting the
worn clothing which testified to the pow
erty of the wearer. POSSIBLY m ay be of
service to you"
"Your pardon, sir your question startled
me-"
Your pardon; but there must have been
a reason for that. Will you come into this
coffee room and tell me the reason ?"
The young man hesitated, but Mr. Brown
ing waited and they entered the room
together, where they found retired nook
in which they could be quite by themselves.
{" 1t is hardly proper to occupy these seats
without patronizing the establishment, so
with your permission will order lunch for
two" remarked the elder man.
A substantial lunch was ordered, which
he who acted as host scarcely tasted, but
which his companion ate as if nearly fam
ished. When the table was cleared Mr..
Browning asked:
care you willing to tell me why the ques-
ton, Will it payP' arrested your stten-
tion ?"
"Willing or not, you have right to
know; and / am so far gone it will make
no difference to me" was replied. al have
in my pocket the price of dinner or a
drink-the very last cent | have in the
woodland had decided upon having a
drink in preference to a dinner. When
you asked, will it pay p it was the same
to me as if you had stopped me and COM
PEELED me to think of the future"
"Did it also remind you of the past, my
friend 2"
"Yes, sir, it did; but cannot endure to
think of that. If you know me as know
myself, you would not be here with me-"
al am sure of one thing in regard to you
you have seen better days, and you need a
| friend to help you back to them"
al cannot go back to them. have bar
tered everything possessed for the gratfica
ton of an appetite loathe and detest, while
it holds me fast in its tolls. Everything is
gone"
"Not everything, my friend. You have q
certain amount of health and strength
Somewhere you must have those who love
you and would rejoice to aid you; and, best
of all, there is God, who gives all needed
grace to those who seek it. You told me
you decided upon drink instead of din
ner. What did you propose to do after yor
| haI at
"Make an end of myself"
"That you could not do. You NIGH
shorten your life here, but you could take
nothing from eternity. My friend, the worlc
needs you and you need the world. You car
me to help you do this ?"
"Will it pay you, sir ?"
eyes, my friend, it will; and it will pay
| you to reform, no matter how great thu
effort"
"But you cannot know what it would cos
me-"
"Whatever may be the cost, it will pa,
you thousand-fold. You have not told m,
your story, and have no wish to force you
confidence; but your experience cannot b.
wholly unlike that of many others | have
known"
You are entitled to my confidence, sir
You have shown yourself my friend. and
hope can still appreciate kindness"
few words sufficed to give Mr.. Brown
ing all necessary information.
boy had gone wrong, finding his pleas
ures away from the home-circe. Thinkin,
himself manly and independent, he hatt
allowed himself to be enslaved by groyel
ling appetites and debasing habits.
Capable of doing good work, it was no
difficult for him to obtain employment s.
long as he remained sober and when, after
long debauch, he found himself pennies
and without occupation, he cursed himsel
for fool. Yet lower and still lower he ha
gone, until there seemed no greater depth
for him to explore. Then his steps ha
been arrested; and, pausing, he took hear
again to renew the struggle for better life
"Will it pay2 he asked doubtingy
Years afterwards he exclaimed exultingly
1t has paid"
viii it pay?
Often is this question asked In regard t
some business venture. Ask it, my reader.
in regard to venture involving more thai
business, or fortune, or life.
Will it pay to be a drunkard? Will
pay to be even moderate drinker when 70
thus run "a fearful risk of becoming
drunkard?
Above all, will it pay, though you gal
the whole world, to lose your own soul 2
ADVOCATE.