Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-02-21
TERMS FOR.ADvERTISING.
Temperance:
How Little Oracle Closed A Saloon.


Oracle was very little girl only six
years old, but beautiful and loving, She
was MODEST, thoughtful child, and when
her father, who loved her verv much,
wanted her to come into his saloon, that
he might introduce her TO the men louno.
ing there, and hear them praise her
beauty. she would say. "No, papa, no, no
make ani the naughty men go away, and then
I'll come in"
There was children's temperance
society in the town, in charge of the
women sIemperance Union, and little
Oracle and her brother still younger, were
invited to attend The father gladly con-
sented. Tor he liked much 10 see Oracle
dressed up and have people notice her.
Everything was new and strange to
CIracle. She had never seen any one pray
before; and when the leader talked about
the great God, and asked them all to bow
their heads while he prayed, Oracle bow.
ed, awed into the most solemn reverence.
Alter the meeting she asked the teacher
what it meant, and if she would learn her
and her brother how to pray. The teacher
took the little hands in her own, and told
the two little children about Jesus, and
how he loved little children and wanted
them to be good, and he would help them
if they asked him:
Months passed, Oracle had learned to
pray, and often talked to her father about
the Christ-child, and wanted him to pray;
but he only laughed, and called her his
little saint.
One day Oracle was taken very i'll; the
doctor was sent for and when he saw her
he said she was very sick.
"Will die,?'
II hope not "
You needn't he afraid TO tell me,
cause I'm ready; asked Jesus totake me
ifhe wanted men
The father who stood at the foot of the
bed, sobbed out, "Oh, Oracle! you don't
want to leave your papa do you?''
Yes do if Jesus wants me to come,
cause he has the best right to me-
The customers came and went, but the
saloon keeper needed them not; for his
dear Oracle was on her little bed, painting
her life away. What cared he for money
now the light lfhis life going outo One
day, on his coming up out of his saloon,
Oracle opened her eyes, and turning upon
him an imploring look, said "Oh, papa!
is the saloon open? are the men there
driking?'
"Yes, darling"
DO close it, papa. know l will feel
Feler if you will"
"l'll do it darling anything to make
you feel better" The saloon keepers
heart was al most breaking The bar
tender was ordered TO clear the saloon and
close the doors.
Darling the saloon is closed" he said
bending over her Il few minutes later.
"Ihank you, papa. 1t makes me hap
py and better already" and a glad smile
came into her suffering face. Every few
hours Oracle would ask:
Is the saloon closed nowo"
"Yes, darling"
Are the shutters up?
YES, dear, they are up"
The leader the childrens temperance
meeting had been sent for at Gracie's re-
quest and had been with her constantly
rom the first, and nov sat chatting the
lands that were growing 50 cold in
leath.
"Oh, papa, wish you'd never open the
saloon again. Mamma, can't you get
papa to promise me never to open the
saloon again?'
"Oh George. do promise your dying
'hild.' sobbed the mother, who had never
avored her husbands business.
The strong man shook like reed, He
could not speak for Il moment; then COM
ng and bending over her, he said in II
trange and husky voice:
MY darling Oracle. papa will never
pen the saloon again"
"Oh, papa, I'm so glad. I'll tell Jesus
when | get to heaven. that you have
iosed the saloon. And now dear papa
ou must be good, and he'll let YOU come
that beautiful place too md mamma,and
lice can come"
There was glad smile on the dying
hid's face, that soon faded out into lines
t pain; but all at once, j1st at last her
ice frightened up with strange, un-
arhly brightn' IS, and she cried out ioy-
llv:
"Oh.mamma, look look the room is full
angels. Papa, don't you see them?
hey are all about you'll"
There was Il hush in the room, for the
ates of heaven Were thrown open TO let
lie pure, bright spirit pass through. Only
le body of lutle Oracle was left-the real
racie had gone TO live with Jesus and
&c angels.
The father never opened the saloon
he bar room shutters have never heen
ken down
The saloon keeper has not only signed
e pledge, but has become al Christian,
I'd. expects to follow his Oracle to Heaven
ter while.