The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-03
IempfranrH
A Romance OF the Granite State--.A
Strange Narrative.
BY REV. j. s. coeswELL, A. NJ.


CHAPTER III.-LITTLE MABEL AND HER |
STRANGE ELsMoRE COTTAGE
AFTER THE FUNERAL.
No one knows the evils that come to |
the homes of drinking men, save those
who have been inmates of such homes.
The actual known facts concerning these |
abodes far surpass in shame and sorrow |
all that one can imagine. George Forest |
was kind-hearted man when in his right |
mind, but when under the influence OF
intoxicating liquors he resembled fiend
in his language and in his deeds. Indeed
George drunk, and George sober, differed |
far more than Turk aud Christian. When |
George was drunk his children, and even |
his wife, stood in constant fear of him. |
They feared his approach to the house
much as did the early settlers of New
England the coming of hostile Indians to
their homes.
The frst-born child to George and his
wife they named Mabel. She was not a
strong child, and her nervous system was
broken. Those acquainted with physical
laws and who had known something of
Georges former life and habits, did not
feel surprised that Mabel was thus
afflicted.
Little Mabel grew to be winsome. Her
innocent prattle and sweet smiles won the
hearts of all, of all save one, and that was
the father when he had been drinking.
Strange as it may seem, the father hated
the child; and especially as the child grew
older and would often look at her father
with her large blue eyes, in sort of in
curing manner, as if divining his nature
and character. Those eyes, so bright and
beaming with the innocence of her soul,
seemed to reprove the father for his sins
and evil habits. Her presence affected
him so that he never could feel easy in
her company. When he saw her looking
at him, he would frown and look away.
When he had been away for several days
meet him at the door on his return. But
no token of her affection touched his
heart. When she would innocently say,
40, papa where have you been for so long
time :" he would begin to curse and
swear in most dreadful manner.
Mabel was precocious in her mental
and spiritual nature. Nature is always
quite impartial in the bestowment of her
gifts. She gives one person one gift, and
another person another differing from the
first, yet useful. If we could see the
range of these, with all their fine adjust
ments in human society, we should repeat,
go the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of Cod"
Little Mabel was early taught the Lords
Prayer by her mother, although she her
self was not Christian. As she was
offering up to God this prayer, from time
to time, she would ask her mother ques-
tions about God and heaven. One even
ing, after Mabel had prayed with evident
feeling, more than her mother had before
noticed, she said, "Do, please, tell me
more about heaven, mamma" Her mo-
ther said, "Mabel, heaven is lovely
place. There are sweet notes of Joy COM
ing from the redeemed; bright and holy
angels move swiftly to do what Gcd tells
them to do; beautiful and fragrant flow
ers bloom and never fade sweet perfumes
fill the air, while all kinds cf trees give
abundance of fruit, as they grow along the
banks of streams clear as crystal the
people there are full of happiness; they
never talk loudly or speak harshly to each
other"
Here the mother paused, brushing away
the tears that unbidden came, as she
realized how incapable she was to tell
Mabel much about heaven as it really is.
Then she said, " Lie down now, Mabel,
and 60 to Sleep"
For long time little Mabel lay think.
ing about heaven. Then she softly prayed
this prayer: go blessed Savior, thou
didst love little children when thou was9
on earth. Thou didst take them up in
thy arms and bless them. Do, please
bless me now. Make me good, o Savior
want to go to that happy place, heaven
Come and take me to that happy place
before long, Savior; and if you can't
come yourself, please send one of those
good angels to take me to that good place
that mother has told me about"
Next morning Mabel did not make hei
appearance as usual. The mother was
busy with her work and cares, so that sht
did not 60 to see why Mabel was not up
George Forest h ad gone off to the village
tavern to indulge in his favorite potation
New England rum. About nine O'Clock
Mrs. Deacon Strout came over with {
nice pair of stockings for Mabel. Mrs
Forest ran up to Mahe's chamber ant
approached the bedside. Mabel's fac,
was flushed and her breathing unnatural
She did not notice her mother. Mrs
Strout was called. She looked at Mabel
took hold of her hand, and in few INC
ments she said, "Mrs. Forest, Mabel il
quite sick. Do send for a doctor at once.