Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-29
A Leaf from a Heart History.

The temperance meeting was held in the
village church, aud as the clear, sweet bell
pealed out, swelled and rolled like ocean
waves upon the trembling air, il reached
the ears of a man waking slowly and wea-
rily along the river bank.
| The ringing bell seemed to deprive him
of strength, and he sat down beside huge
willow leaning over the bank. He leaned
against its brown trunk, and memories of
by-gone days clustered about him until, like
showering rain, the tear-drops rolled down
his furrowed cheeks. But as the moon
arose and its peaceful beams fell upon him
he arose and started churchwsrd. He
crossed the old stone threshold and sat
down upon back seat in a listening atti-
tude
The speaker proved to be interesting and
eloquent, but there were only four or five
signatures to the pledge which he pleadingly
held forward to the mixed audience. After
ward there were sweet hymns sung and
kindly invitations given to Join the temper
ance brotherhood, but the responses came
feebly; there were only thirteen names en-
rolled thus far that evening.
But the speaker was in earnest. He hon
estly said that, although he had never been
drinker, aud so had no experience person.
ally in that way, there probably were some
in the audience who could relate chapters
from their own lives which would both inter
est the hearers as well as influence their
hearts in the right direction.
"Will any one come forward and speak
few words of warning or of cheer?" was the
question then asked.
No one spoke; indeed, no one seemed to
move for some time sfterward. The lull
was becoming oppressive when suddenly by
| uiutiin tha CTR uub I
have mentioned arose and walked slowly up
the aisle All eyes were turned toward him,
although he looked at no one, but with eyes
bent foorward he pressed toward the speaker
Reaching the platform in front of the pull
pit, he turned to face the audience and raised
his eyes-deep eyes in which one could see
lurking terrible grief and a more terrible
remorse There was tremor in his voice
as he began to speak, and his hands shook
as if he felt deeply embarrassed, but he soon
commanded his feelings and began his story
without preface or explanation.
"NIost of you will think it is an old man
talking to you, but | am not old in years !;
it is the sin and grief in the warp and wool
of my life which have bowed my form aud
wrinkled my face and burdened my heart.
am only forty-fve.'
Only forty-fve A surprised and horri-
fled look crept over the faces of the listeners.
al had home which was a veritab lie
Eden it was sweet with the perfume of
flowers aud beautiful with the quivering
sunlight creeping in the windows, and peace
full and soothing in its strains of music.
All what wonderful voice my wife had
my lovely, beautiful wife-and Elsie, our
darling little daughter, had voice just
like her mother. God knows that loved
| hotb 70 md hut OF hat a
ing that fact, before Esie's sixth year a SER
pent had crept into our Eden and was wind
ing his hideous coil about me. AS the days
rolled by loved my glass more and more,
until Elsie reached her ninth birthday.
shall never forget that day. | returned
from my place of business early in honor of
the day, the afternoon sun was still shining
brightly and the bobolinks were dsrting
here and there in the grass. The house was
in gala attire, even the banisters were wound
with smilax and fragrant rosebuds. The
servant who stood in the hall said my wife
was dressing, and that Elsie was dancing
somewhere about the house. Dear child,
| said fondly as | went up stairs to brush
up little before meeting my family But
| stopped moment at little room at the
head of the hail. There was something
very enticing concealed in the pretty rose
wood cabinet hanging on the wall. I'M
locked it cautiously, as was my custom, and,
taking out my brandy bottle, prepared my
self what considered a bracing drink. At
ter taking it rested moment or so in the
great easy-char by the window, thinking
meanwhile that it was good, very good. |
prepared some more, this time putting the
bottle with its gitglass label BRANDY
upon the little table. | did not sit down
h,rf alto in, thA aA, tha1
doorway which led out into a charming
little balcony which encircled two windows,
one opening from my dear little Elsie's
room. The brandy seemed to burn my
brain, and my head ached violently and
leaned against the easement Papa, o my
darling papap heard sweet voice say,
and, looking out, | saw Elsie careessy sit
ting upon the balcony rail. A moment
later her keen eyes spied the bottle, although
she did not leave her perch upon the rail.
brandy she spelled. 90 papa, papa
you never touch that horrible drink, do
you 2 she asked, her laughing face growing
sad | was maddened by the draught, and
mortified and angry that my child had dis
covered my secret habit, and reached for
ward and pushed her ssvagely. cannot tell
of the days that followed. ! will only say
that we picked up our Elsie broken and
bleeding from the hower-beds under the bal
cony, and my wife after one lingering look
at hen darling, went into commissions which
soon ended in DEATH
The mans voice grew husky, and his gaze
was thrilling in its intensity. Sand now,
he added, :" cannot say any more, only to
beseech of you to come forward and put
your signatures upon this blessed pledge,
beseeching of the Father to uphold you with
his mighty power Will you Gomez Boys,
boys | know many of you, yes most of you
alas that in my wretched state you do not
know me. Will you come, boys, wiA you
Gomez 1t 10 your old friend Herman Hud
son who is asking you 2"
lie said no more, but sat down, the per,
spiration pouring from his whitened hair
But he had said enough. The people came
pouring forward like a stream quickly flow
ing. There were hand-shakes and tears and
sobs and soothing greetings.
4" Herman Hudson, Herman Hudson
can hardly believe my ears" whispered
more than one to another. He was gifted
and promising, and so light-hearted-strong
shouldered, and now, oh !" And the voices
stopped here, but the names OF the pledge.
signers rolled down the pledge-sheet unit
the grand brotherhood was enriched with
two hundred members.
"Oye who have friends on the awful brink
That hangs Ger the river OF ruin and death
When you see them lift the glass, oh think