Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-10-26
TERMS For ADVERTISING

A man, who must have been fine look
ing before strong drink made its ravages
upon him, was walking up and down the
room talking fiercely to his wife who sat
weeping bv the stove. He turned eagerly
as the door opened. but the look on his
face turned to one of surprise as he beheld
his daughter accompanied by strange
gentleman. At first. their would be-friend
was at loss what to say, but he finally
found words to explaiu-the circumstances
under which he met the little girl, and
heard her story, and how he had called to
see if he could be of some service to the
| family.
His unobtrusive sympathy won the
hearts of his new found acquaintances, and
by means of few kind questions, be sue
ceeded in winning their whole story from
them, and thus learned that their name
was Howard, that they had been prosper
Gus and happy until the husband and
father fell into the clutches of the demon
rum. Mr.. Harwood was n silver platter
by trade, and a superior workman who,
when sober, could command high wages,
| but, by degrees, he had reached his pres
ent position, and now he had had no work
for three months, except a weeks job upon
the interior of an establishment where he
had been accustomed TO get liquor-his
work going to pay the bill he owed there.
This last fact put a thought into Mr.
Steven head, and he Immediately resolv-
ed upon plan of action. First, he in
quired the address of the liquor dealer,
then turning to Oracle, his little pro.ege,
he said: "Get your hat and come with
me. dear" The child obeyed, wondering
| ly. He led her directly to the saloon
mentioned by Mr.. Howard and approach
ing the proprietor, related the circum-
stances connected with the impoverished
family, and concluded by demanding the
seven dollars Mr., Howard had earned
there. OF course, the man refused to give
the money. whereupon Mr.. Stevens point
ed to the child's bare feet and torn gar
ments, the rum sellers work, and assured
him that if the money was not forthcom.
ing he would be complained of to the
proper authorities without delay. At this
the face of the dealer of poison blanched,
and thoroughly frightened, he handed out
the seven dollars.
| His object accomplished, Mr.. Stevens
was not long in taking Oracle to a shoe
store, and having her fitted with pair of
shoes; and thence proceeding to grocer's,
he purchased tea, sugar, bread and meat.
which he carried, with the remainder of
the money, and laid before the Howards,
After their hunger was appeased, a long
and serious talk took place between the
two men. which resulted in the signing of
the pledge by Mr.. Howard when, with a
hearty clasp of the hand, Mr.. Stevens left
them to 90 to the head of the firm where
Mr.. Howard was formerly employed. and
induce him to reinstate him in his old
place.
That night, after Mr.. Stevens had re.
turned to his home, and had his tea, he
said to his wife:
- think, Lavinia, that will 90 to bed
early, for | am very tired, and have bad
headache"
Aud the good man went to bed, not tc
rise from it for several weeks He was
brought down to deaths very door, bu
after many days the fever spent itself and
left him pale and weak.
J 1t was Two months from the day of tb,
episode above mentioned before he wa
able to leave the house. His determine
J ion to seek out the family in which he hae
become so deeply Interested was interfer
ed with by pressing business cares, unit
: one morning, as be descended from th,
street car, he felt some one touch his arm
: Turning, he saw by his side IL neatly
dressed little girl who, looking up with q
} bright smile, said
"Don't you know me, sirp''
} " Really" answered the gentleman. "l
don't remember ever seeing you before. y
why, you surely haven't forgotten lit.
tie Oracle Howard whose papa signed
your pledge three months agor'
"Is it possibleW exclaimed Mr.. Stevens
with glad surprise.
Yes, sir" returned Gracio, "and papa
hasn't drank drop since that day, but has
worked at his trade all the time, and we
have a nice home, and mamma never cries
} now. Here comes mamma; she wants to
speak to gou,"
At this, happy looking woman came
/, hurrying up, and seizing Mr.. Stevens by
the hand broke into exclamations in which
Joy at seeing and gratitude for past kind.
ness were mingled.
"And do come to our home and see how
: happy YOU have made us by saving my
husband"
AS it was but short distance, Mr.
Stevens consented to go home with them
He found them pleasantly situated in {
, bright, sunshlny little tenement of three
3 rooms. Such a neat little kitchen as they
l led him nto-the floor as white as soar
+ and sand could make it, with one or two
| cav rugs laid down, the stove nicely pol
} ished, few pictures on the neatly papereC
r walls, the open cupboard door revealing
some smooth white china and polished
tins. Mrs. Howard had just been frying
9 doughnuts, and the great puffy browr
things were piled up in dish on the table
!, Mr.. Stevens declared that those dough
e nuts were irresistible to a hungry MAJ
like himself, so he helped himself, and i
l he ate he listened to full account of hi
. friends good fortune dating from the da,
o of his call. At the end of the hour he lef
+ them after.giving promise to dine will
r them at no distant day.
A year has passed away since Mr. How
n ard signed the pledge. and Mr. and Mrs
, Stevens are helping to celebrate the even
= by taking tea with the Howards.
Mrs. Stevens was little high toned. an
thought she was making great sacrfic
= in accepting an invitation from IL family
who, because they had been in the depths
must be low and i'll bred. Imagine tn
- aristocratc little laly's surprise as the
stopped before pretty white cottage il
the suburbs of the city, to be met mt tn
door bv sweet faced, lady-like woman i
neatly fitting brown cashmere, set o
by snowy collar and cuffs ard daint
muslin apron, to be shown into the pre-
:, tiest little parlor and introduced to Il ger
" tlemanly fellow and little golden haire
:, fairy in blue, whom they called Oracle.
=. = Such a happy family as the Howard
were in their new home, with plenty {
:. warm clothing and wholesome food, tn
:. ;, head of the family temperance M
Il in the confidence of bis employers, hi
?, salary for the coming year raised to twelv
10 hundred dollars! Such Il contrast to the
e circumstances one year ago! And nov
- let us leave them around the well-sprea
y, % tea table, with the query-Does it pay t
"a do temperance work.