Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-08

with good care and nourlshment Ut. D. sal'
the child might be saved.
: "Never fear, will look out for that"
said.
trying TO cool the fevered brain, till at las
it dropped into quiet nap.
Bob, who had been standing speechless
looked up into my face (while fairly reac
in his some wise motive,) and said
"Dunt you s'pose If pa should KUN hun
not drunk and found the bebby better, ant
see how you'd helped us, do you s'pose he't
be good and not drink any more ?"
"Let us hope 80, Bob" | said.
Tears came 10 the mothers eyes, as she
murmured:
"God grant that it may be thus"
Day after day flew quickly by, and
found myself still in New York, making my
daily visit to the Four Corners, giving my
friends all the aid and comfort in my power
but never as yet getting a single chance tc
meet the husband and father, for they said
he did not seem to come home as often Of
late, and when he did come he was stagger-
ing and Keeling from the effects of drink.
The dear old Thanksgiving day was close
at hand. Although | had written to those
at home that should not be with them,
almost wished myself there the night pre-
vious TO that eventful day. It was too late
then, however.
Those who have tasted of the good old
fashioned dinners in country homes, consist
ing of the stuffed turkey, mince pie, dough
nuts and the like, are the only ones that
might sympathize with me at that time.
Meditating while on home matters, and
letting my friends at the Four Corners slip
from my mind for the first time since our
new and strange acquaintance, l hastily
threw shawl over my shoulders and tying
a hat on my head, stepped into the street.
AS ! was walking slowly along, buried deep
in my thoughts, heard light footsteps APP
preaching me behind and turning round
found it to be Bob. "Oh, Miss, KUN down
hum quick. Father has been hum not
drunk. Marin has been talking to him and
he don't swear one bit. He sits right still
and don't answer. Do come and let him
see you"
"Bob," said |, "most certainly I will CO.
but wait q minute until | go back for a
warmer shawl" Bob stood waiting for me
quite impatiently, for he was afraid his
father would leave the house without my
seeing him, for he said:
"Marm has been talking with him about
you and he wanted ter see you he sed, so
kun after you as quick as l could"
| !
Do you suppose | can persuade your father
not to drink any more and to sign the
pledge, so as to go to work sober and bring
home his money nights so as to help you and
your mother and make your home happy
again ?"
-"Oh, ma'am, that is Just what / want for
think you ken do jest what you sed. He
thinks more of what other folks say than he
does marin and me; but-but maam, what
do you mean by signing pledge! Will
that keep him from taking hot stuff ?"
"Yes, Bob, in one sense of the word it
will. 1t will make him better man every
way" BY the time we had reached Bob's
home it was quite dark lie led the way up
the stairs once again. | longed to see the
father of this little honest Bob, and still
dreaded to meet him. Opening the door we
went in. Bobs mother gave me warm
grasp of the hand and whispered, L" lie is
here at last, and sober. The baby is getting
real smart This was good news. When
| went in | found her sleeping sweetly.
civilian William will you not turn
around We have a caller, the one that
comes daily and has done us so much good.
Have you nothing to say to her, William ?"
Slowly, slowly, the chair turned around.
Slowly he raised his head from his hands,
and | saw before me blear-eyed face, but
only moment did see it, for it was filed
with shame, grief and misery. Bowling the
gray-haired head into his hands, he wept-
this man who had brought his family to the
very face of starvation.
Those must have been bitter tears, but
they made us happy, for they were tears of
repentance and remorse. "My dear Will
liam," said his wife, after we had had long
talk, do you think you will try hard never
to touch another drop of liquor?"
"Never, wife, never. May God help me-
"God will help you" I cried Gle will
help you by giving you strength, which is
gained in the bands of good society-the
society of temperance people-bnding you
around with the golden links of friendship,
and to lead you into society that will lend
you a helping hand, wish to do, through
the instrumentality Of signing the pledge.
Will you not sign the pledge ?" Sign the
pledged Me sign the temperance pledge
Yes, will, l will try But bark there
are footsteps ascending the stairs. All, it
was my FRIEND whom | had been stopping
with, getting anxious, who had come for me.
The door opened, my friend walked in,
and the story was soon told.
"You will join tonight, will you not?"
| said. "To-uight is the best time. Go
with us, and your wife, too. Leave Bob
with the baby, and he shall go next night"
"Yes, you must go, too, wife," he said, as
he went tremblingly up to her, with the tears
still softly rolling down his cheeks. Yes,
yes, | will go. You shall have me to steady
your pen when you write your name. My
son Robert" said the happy mother, "you
are six years old to-day, and tomorrow your
father will be a temperance man." Some
little time after leaving the dark -Four Cor
ners, we found ourselves vending our way
through the brilliantly lighted streets of the
upper half" We soon approached the
temperance rooms, my friend and ] leading
the way. At last we were at the door.
William, William" said the wife, " You
are going to sign the pledge tonight a? You
will not turn back from these good friends?"
"Never. will not falter this time. God
knows have done that too often" Then
speaking to US, he said Friends, lead the
way, for know nothing about a place like
this. hardly know myself around here"
Tremblingly he lifted his feet over the
thresholds grand step towards the right,
and hardly knowing what he did, followed
US in, his wife behind. Approaching an I'M
occupied seat, he sat down. Many faces
turned towards us with wonder, although
many other scenes similar to this had taken
place tnere.
The meeting was soon called to order, and
all eyes were then turned toward the presi-
dent.
In one corner of the room, on little side
board, row Of glasses was arranged, con-
tanning sparkling water. Down at the pres
ident's desk, at the right of him, stood
small stand with pen, ink and paper.
"Now," said the president, rising, " Let us
have some singing ave will sing" said
the young lady who presided at the organ,
"Unfurl the Temperance Banner" Oh,
what music All, could my eyes deceive
me2 He could not wait for them to cease
singing. No, the music gave him strength
He could go then, his wife following.
All my cup was full. 1t made me happy
Before the choir had finished singing, shout
went up from the crowd, followed by gen.
eral clapping of hands, and that man had
signed the pledge-signed it without his
wife to steady the pen. Then he laid it
into her hand, and trembled so that several
aided him in getting to a seat. Another
capping of the hands followed, with speeches
of congratulation. All felt as if might
say goodbye to my friends aud return home,
satisfied with these thoughts-that | had
helped let a few beams of sunlight into the
dark and gloomy crevices of the Four
| Corners.
1t has been six long years since that time.
| am happy to say that their conditions have