Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-09-05
temperance.
BY LOUISA NJ ALCOTT.

erp Is the baby sickp" asked pleasant
voice as neighborly face appeared at the
door of the dull, dsoi deTly room where &
tired woman sat crying in the twilight.
"1he children are all well and asleep
thank Heaven, but I'm so anxious AN,
discouraged that couldn't help having ii
good cry" answered Mrs. Merrill, wipins
her eyes as if already comforled by the
arrival of friend.
"rell Inc all about it, said Mrs. G ~
he new conner, as she poked up the fire
till little blaze Frightened the whole
room.
Il wouldn't tell any one but you, and
I'm afraid I'm partly to blame in some
way. yet | don't see how" beg IN Mrs.
Merrill. leaning back with sigh of relief
at the prospect OF chance to tell heI
troubles and receive sympathy if not
advice.
"If the babies are all we'll you cannot
have any very heavy grief, dear. But
know that the small trials are often the
| hardest to bear; so conf lie in me, and we
will see If we can't make the burden
lighter said Mrs Gty patting the hand
| hat held the handkerchief with such Il,
CHEEKY face that her neIghbor opened her
heart freely.
"fm worrying about John, and you
will see that have cause tt do it when |
tell you that for the last month he dOesn [
come home to his supper halt the time,
hut spends the evenings at the tavern.
He comes in lale, and so cross and beery
| can be glad to see hun. If it goes on
much longer he will take to somei ny
stronger than lager, and | shall be IL
drunkard wife,
Here the poor little woman fell to sob
bing again as if her heart was broken
But Mrs. GAYS kind arms were round her
and the friendly voice said hopefully:
1T will be your own fault if you are,
nv dear for John Merrill is too good a
man to do anything of that kind unless he
is driven to It,"
NV hat will drive him? Not poverty or
trouble, for we are doing well and haven't
u debt in the world said Mrs. Merrill
with an air of honest pride.
"The want of comfortable home will
do ii for him rs for many another man."
"What do you meanP Im sure this is
nice house and do my best to keep il
so, cried the wel-to do mechanics wife,
surprised and Il little offended
Forgive me, my dear, but | want to
help YOU and can only do so by giving you
some pain. Look round this room, and
tell me frankly if it is the sort of home IA
tired man likes 10 come to-
A long pause followed this bold speech.
as Mrs Merrill looked at the scene before
her with eyes that seemed to see the
clearer for the tears so lately shed. The
room was comfortably furnished, but in
the state OF disorder which three lively
children would produce during the day.
roys lay about the floor, chairs stood here
and there, work heaped upon the sofa, and
supper was spread on the table in co.ner.
Not tempting meal, an untidy Joint of
cold meat, heavy looking bread, a lump of
butter and cold tea. The cloth was rum
pied, the lamp unit, the fire untrimmed,
and the wife sat redeyed, and despondent
in her wrapper With her hair halt down,
waiting to receive her husband with tears
and reproaches.
For the first time she seemed to see
her self in new light, and after that long
look she gave a great sigh, as she said
humbly:
IL see what you mean. 1t is hard on
John, but | get so tired, and he doesn't
seen to care. I've lost my pride in things
and got shlftless. How can do better?'
"Ill show you. Practice is better than
preaching. Go up and make yourself
nice, and tell me when you come back it
things are not improved answered MIS-.
Cav with nod and a smile that seemed
to lift the other woman out of her slough
of despond like magic.
I'm ashamed TO let you, but | will for
Johns sake If he will only come!' and
Mrs. Merrill ran away to hide the trouble
in her face as she thought OF her John
driven from home by her ignorance and
neglect.
She did not hurry, fol- she was tired,
and stopped to kiss her rosy children and
cry a litlle more before she came slowly
down in neat woolen dress, white collar
and apron, smooth hair, and hopeful
smile on her face.
1t changed 10 laugh Of pleasure and
surprise as she opened The door and stood
surveying the cheerful change Mrs. Gay
had wrought so quickly.
The room was in order, the lamps
were lighted, the table drawn to the hearth
where a cheerful fire blazed, and pair OF
slippers lay warming cozly. well worn
dressing gown hung over the back OF the
easy char, and the evening paper lay
inyitingy near by. A red geranlum with
A green leaf or two STOOD in gIass in the
middle of the table, and gave quite an all
os elegance 10 the clean cloth, the dish oil
nicely sliced cold meat, tidy plate of
buller, and the pie Mrs. Merrill had for
gotten.
The fragrance of hot tea and toast was
in the air. and Mrs. Gay was singing as
she flew about the little kitchen.
w ,b, I'd tho lanuh she IN
to receive the much improved hostess with
the words,
"Tnere isn't that betterP l couldn't
do much at short notice but 1t Just gives
hint of what mean. don't think tired
man will want to leave warm hearth,
supper, and pretty vile lor
beer, smoke and cards. do you! III
mo! indeed | don't! How nice 1t all
is. used 10 keep it so till got discour-
aged and careless. | hope John Will come
soon. and enjoy it all.
Put the lamp in the window, and run
10 meet him when he does come. shall
slip away and advise you not to tell him
your plan. just say you want to have
things nicer, and be your pleasantest
self. He will be surprised and pleased
and fall into the trap we have set LOT him'
Keep it always ready, anu sno" napPy
face, no matter how tired you are, that Is
a mans best welcome home"
GLOW can l thank youP Tell me some
hing more that can do to attract John.
Shall have beer for himP He depends
on it now, and will miss it, I'm afraid"
said Mrs. Merrill, holding her good neigh
bor fast, eager for more helpful hints;
"Give him plenty of we'll cooked whole
some food, with a cheerful wife to serve 1t,
and he will soon cease to care for beer,
think. Try good coffee. tea and milk Tor
drinks; give up pies and such stuff things
Of that sort create bad state OF the stom'
ach, and dyspepsia brings morbid taste Tor
,timulants. Have your bread good and
serve up simple inviting meals every day.
and John will soon enjoy them too much
to want anything poorer" answered Mrs
Gay, hood in band. ,,.
Il will try my best. never thought
that food made any difference. can COOK, |
and I'll feed John as you advise, nicely |
and wisely" ,.
"My dear, half the drunkards we see are
led to their bad WAYS by poor food, uncom |