Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-11
Putting Down the Brakes.
e Good morning, Mr.. Oliver"

to see YOU" was replied to this greeting
when the speaker had removed fragrant
Havana from his lips.
You may not be so glad when have
told you my errand," said the visitor. al
saw Martin last evening, and he said you
had discharged him."
al have thought | would give him
chance TO show whether there was any man
hood left in him. l had not much faith,
but you were so sanguine was willing to
try him, and you see the result"
/" Has he not worked well until last week ;
Eyes, my foreman says not another man
in the shop did so well. He was always
one of our best workmen, but man who
drinks as he does is not to be depended upon.
He told me he was in earnest when he
signed the pledge"
"He was in earnest, and he is in earnest
now in making another effort to reform.
This time believe he will succeed. have
called this morning to ask you to take him
back and give him his old place."
al should be glad to oblige you, but
have lost all confidence in him.
"You should have charity. 1t is very
hard to deny such an appetite as he has for
strong drink. He inherited the appetite,
and so is more to be pitied than blamed"
Dub n Uldu buOulu Dt iudStci VI hinbtll
and his appetites. don't understand how
any sensible person can submit to the tyr
amy of appetite"
al think do understand something of it.
You drink glass of wine occasionally, Mr..
Oliver ?"
az do, and l refrain from drinking occa-
sionally."
"Would it not be self-denial never to
drink another glass ?"
"Not if it was for my best good to do So"
al had the same opinion, yet found it
hard to deny myself all indulgence 1t was
very hard for me to give up the habit of
smoking and even now the fragrance of a
good cigar sometimes puts my firmness to a
severe test. How do you think it would be
with you?
al hope have enough decision not to be
conquered by the fumes of cigar"
Just then the foreman of the shop owned
by Mr.. Oliver came into the counting-room
and recommended that, in consideration of
Mr.. Martins ability and the press of work,
he be received back.
"Do as you please, but tell him from me
that this is his last chance with us" said
the proprietor.
The next day, while talking with friend,
this gentleman fell senseless to the floor.
He was conveyed to his home and the fam
lily physician called.
"Will he recover :" asked his wife anx-
iously.
al think he WILL" was replied. al am
not surprised to see him in this state. /
have been expecting such an attack. The
only wonder is that it did not come long
ago. He must change his habits or there
will be recurrence"
"You must give up the use of tobacco en-
tirely, or you must give up your life, and
that, too, at no distant day." said the physi-
clan seriously when his patient was in a
condition to listen. al have warned you
before, but you did not heed my warning"
al thought you were mistaken, doctor, and
it seems to me now that you lay too much
stress upon mere habit"
at is a habit which has great power
over you, Mr.. Oliver"
Not so much but could throw it off if
was sure my health required it,"
"You may be sure. 1t is death with
your cigar, or life without it. That is how
the matter stands, and you can take your
choice. / advise you, too, to give up the
use of stimulants, except when ordered as
medicine
"But, doctor, I am in no danger of be-
coming drunkard."
81 do not say that you are, but do say
that, for your healths sake, you need to live
abstemiously."
Mr.. Oliver had confidence in his physician,
although he had required second warning.
He wished to live aud enjoy robust health.
There was, therefore, but one course for him
to pursue. He must hold himself to absti-
nence of the strictest sort. He recovered
from his prostration and returned to his
business.
weeks experience gave him better
understanding of the tyranny of appetite
than he would have learned by years OBJ.
servation. At the end of a fortnight his
charity for Caleb Martin had so increased
that he gave the struggling man his warmest
sympathy.
al know how hard it must be for you to
deny yourself" he said kindly. "If you
have longed for glass of liquor as l have
longed for cigar, don't wonder that your
resolution gave way. But don't do it again
We must not fall back, and so be obliged tc
climb the hill for the second or third time
"Thank you, Mr. Oliver, for your kind
ness. God helping me- mean to keep my
pledge, or die in the attempt. 1t is easy te
say, Stop but only the man who puts
down the brakes knows how hard it is te
do it."
"You are right there, Mr.. Martin, and We
must see to it that our children start on the
up grade. We must see that they learn nc
habits it will be necessary for them to I'M
learn -
Yes, sir, we must, and please God, we
will l'-Iemperdnc Advocate.