Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-02-01
Cempfrante
RESCUED.
A TRUE STORY,
By ABBfE Etr:.

The evening SUI hqi faded iu tue s1y:
The tired aJorer with heavy sigh
Had left the days work, for day was done.
When rang the curfew at the setting sun
Each one inteut on th1uxhts, none cared to share
with those who passed this crowded thoroug fare:
When chance, OF something more divineIy fair,
Brought comrades parted through long Years of care
Once more within the grasp Of friendly hand;
Two had together sought distant land
While he they greeted az in college days
Life had led sadly, aad through devious Ways
Yet. now face micn and bearing still the sane
Turned at thar call aud answered to his name.
surprise at first, then Joy kindlad each face
For each could hnd in each some boyhood trace
Meeting TINS strangely " Must we part so soon2
Come comrade, sup with us, there's more than room"
soon round the table at their evening meal,
with memories Of the past, they grew to feel
Tue years were not so many to recall
fheir early youth, yet years had passed Ger all
The meal was nearly DER, they rauK for wine:
Drink to our health fair guest, and we to thine"
With lips connresssl, he said Il drink not nov"
What you hrst ever in each college row.
Not take glass for friennship on my tfel
What keeps you, say - " a promise to my wife,"
Held By woman with one arm!"
"Obl Hushw
rne words ca ne f,roely with mt<h:y ru.l;
rhen with sad ielei look ani q1iverut Voice.
le said Forgive, bat learn alb lut til At loss;
Pause, while tell what I meier told before
Ny suGerings ere rored 70 drink no more
But si1 months married received a summons from
friend,
Urging my presence two miles on that my help
might lend.
hurried home to say Good bye aud Ia be back al
Y,t, promise Eiwlri.' ur5el my wife, if wine is Of.
ferad then.
You will remember me, aai taste not one sing'e
drop.
was in haste. ami vexei she Jd 1t trust me- ba.
To gain promise which she knew / well could do
without.
No. Alice trust me no ", said aud then / hurried
let part way down the street turned half pepiten,
to look.
And there she Stood her left hand raised shade her
eyes; 1t shook
As gliseniuTin the low sunk sun, half hidden from
our view,
the holy marriage ring so bright for s. III 80 new
Loving and faithful unto DEATH 1t flashed upon my
sight,
AS lip and eye had vowed it our blessed marria-.
night,
And back again ,o'sed 10 her Il Driay tooi good
night"
went and helping, helped bo;ir and soon my ,asf
over,
Yet still fingered chatting with the men who came
from Dover
Then wine was brought. and refused until tue,
l laughed at me,
Said dull, and they 80 bright, til harm could
not see.
And this is all that memory tells, that started
home,
With staggering steps, and limbs henumbed be-
wilder ed aud alone.
This have heard of that sad night; my wife srt up
til ten
Her bent eagerly to catch this well knowafootscp'
when
She thought-his way is down the track: the train
in an hour!
If-her heart sickened at the thought yet neryed tscl
with power;
Forth in the midnight air Ehe rushed fGster-she
gained the track;
Her terror lent her wiuEs-she sped a mile wien
glancing back
She saw distant gnmer r-auI with ona wild PRAYER
for strength
Made efforts to increase her speed: Gnd where the
| light its length
| Threw lust ahead she my form stretched right
the track.
She felt the heated BREATH the roar behind but looked
not back:
One mighty effort, she had grasped that form the train
had passed:
And from instant awful death her loved was saved
| at last;
Yet, falling oer prostrate form in helplessncss the
train
| Wruns from her lips one piercing shrek heard but
too late in vain
To save that brave lett arm aud hand bearing the
sacred pledge.
Loving and faithful ult death, een to its very edge
Rescued from death, rescued from sin felt no hurt
| nor harm,
But rescued God knows at what cost-my noble wife's
left arm.
Thank God! she lived; ali from th,t hand took tn,
ring myself,
And placed the ether hand with vows and prayers
for help.
Now, comrades, you will marvel not that the mere
Rht of wine
Has brought the anguish of that might SO fresh Ia
heart and mud,
With prayer to ri II Rue yuu both by His sure WIS
dom riSht,
leave this lesson with y5In1w; God bless you all
good nirh."