Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-01
Temperance Bitters.

| heard young man in railway car
riage tell his own story while conversing
on the Maine law. Said he "My father
was drunkard for years my mother was
strong-minded, energetic woman and
with the help of the boys she managed to
keep the farm free from debt. When my
father signed the pledge, that which pleased
her most, next to his having signed it was
that she could tell him that there was not
a debt or mortgage on the farm. My
father used to drive into the city, about
eight miles distant, twice a week and
recollect my mother saying to me wish
you would try and persuade your father not
to go any more. We do not need that
which he earns; and George, am afraid Of
temptation and old associates 'Oh,' said
|, don't think of it; fathers all right
One evening we had heavy load, and were
going toward home, when my father stopped
at one of his old places Of resort, and gave
me the whip and reins. | hitched the
horses, tied up the reins, and went in after
ward. The landlord said: Il am glad to
see you how do you do2 You are quite
a stranger. How long is it since the tenn
perance within got hold of you p 'Oh,
about two years. said my father. WELL
said the landlord, you see we are getting
along here pretty well; and they chatted
together for some time. By and by he
asked my father to have something to
drink. ooh, but have got little temper
ance bitters here said the landlord, that
temperance men use, and they acknowledge
that it is purifying to the blood, especially
in warm weather. just try little" and he
poured out glass and offered it. / stepped
up and said Don't give my father that
To which he replied: Well, boys aren't
boys hardly nowadays they are got to be
men amazingly early. If had boy like
you think should take him down a little.
What do you think, Mr.. Meyers DO you
bring that boy to take care of you? Do
you want guardian p That stirred the
old mans pride, and he told me to go and
look after the horses He sat and drank
till ten o'clock, and every time the landlord
gave him drink l said; Don't give it to
him. AT last my father rose up against
me-he was drunk. When he got up on
the wagon, drove. My heart was very
heavy, and / thought of my mother. 'Oh,
how will she feel this p When we got
about two miles from home my father said,
/ will drive No. said 7, let me drive,
He snatched the reins from me, fell from
the wagon, and before | could check the
horses the forward wheel crushed his head
in the road. | was till midnight getting
his dead body on the wagon. | carried him
to my mother, aud she never smiled from
that day to the day of her death. Four
months after that she died and we buried
her. Now" said the young man, after he
had finished the story, " that man killed my
father-he was my fathers murderer"
There is not publican but can take your
brother, your father, your son, into his
dramshop tonight, and make him drunk
in spite of your entreaties and prayers, and
kick him out at midnight, and you may
find his dead body in the gutter. All you
have to do is TO take the body and bury it,
and say nothing about it; for you have nc
redress, no protection. Now protection is
what we want. Come and help us.---John
B. Cough.