The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1886-12-16

il
lias cf Temperance writing. Although u
story had vide circulation . bali cen
tary or more Aso. il is we'll worth reprint
Ing.
have one Of the kindess husbands, b
il . carpenter BY trade, and our dock Z
llittls children has one Of the kindest fash
sss ID he country
Ivss thought The luckiest girl in ID
parish when George t. made me hi
sifs. Thought 20 myself. Our weddinl
day y-ard il vas happy one Twas but ii
Indifferent sample OF thoss days Of ration
Ial happissss and uninterrupted harmony
which ~ wses psrnittsd V ssjoy tosesh
srios the space Of six ysars. And al
though tsE m pb5'hxz1s 2! our lixsl
beginning. Il makes my heart sick 10 think
Of thoss long. dark days aud sad nights
that came between; for two years Of our M
ion wsrs ysam Of misery.
I Iwsll remember the first glass Of arden
spirits that my husband ever drank. He
had been at the grocery 10 purchase lit
lie tea and sugar for the family. There
we're cents coming to him 10 change;
and, unluckily, the deacon who keeps the
shop had nothing but silver 10 the till,
and. - il was sharp. frosty morning. be
persuaded my good man 70 take biz mon
sy's worth Of rum. for it was just the price
Of glass He cane home inI wonderful
spirits, told me he meant to have me and
the children better dressed. and as neigh
Dor Barton talked Of selling his horse and
chaise, be thought Of buying them both.
And when said to him., George, We are
dressed - well a. We can afford. and ]
hope you will not think Of horse and
cbaise till We have paid of the squire's
mortgage, he gave me harsh look and
bitter word.
never shall forget that day, for they
we're the frat he ever gave me 10 his life.
When he saw me shedding tears and hold
ing my apron TO my face. be said he was
sorry, and came to kiss me. and / discov-
cred that he had been drinking, aud it
grieved me to the heart.
In short time after, while l was wash
ing up tho breakfast things, heard our
little Robert. Who VA only five yesrs old.
@ying bitterly; and, going to learn the
cause. met him running towards me with
his face covered with blood. He
said his father had taken him on his knee,
and WAS playing with him. but had given
him blow in the face, only bscause be said
whsn he kissed him. Dear papa. you
smell lie old Isaac. the drunken fiddler
Ny husband was very cross to us all
through the whole day.
Ipsyed constantly for ny good man
that God would be pleased to guide his
heart Alright; and, more than week hav-
ing gone BY without any similar occurrence
I fattered myself that be would never do
80 again. But. in avery little time, either
the deacon WAS short Of change. as before.
OF some tempting occasion presented it.
self which my husband could not resist.
and he returned home once more under
the influence Of liquor. Inever shall for
get the expression on bis countenance
wher be came in that night. We had
waited supper full hour for bis return;
the tea pot was standing at the fire; the
bannocks were untouched upon the hearth,
and the children were beginning to mur-
mur for supper.
There Was an indescribable expression
Of defiance on his countenance. rs though
be was conscious Of having done wrong
sad resolved TO brave IL out We sat down
silently to supper. and scarcely raised his
eyes upon any Of Ms during this unhappy
repast He soon went to bed aud fell
ssleep; and. after bad laid our little ones
70 rest. knelt It the foot Of the bed on
which my poor misguided husband was
sleeping and poured out my very soul to
God, while my eyes were scalded with the
bitterest tears had ever shed For
had )ioreseen that. unless some remedy
could be employed, my best earthly friend.
tho father Of my little children, would be-
come drunkard.
The next morning. altar breakfast.
ventnred TO speak with him upon the sub.
ject 10 ; mild way; aod though I could
mol restrain my tears, neither my words
nor my weeping appeared 70 have any e.
feet. and l saw that be wss becoming
hardened and careless Of us all. How
many winter nights have 1 waited, weep
ing alone ss my once happy 6reside. lis
sening for the lifting OF the latch. snd1
wishing. yet drsadiug, to hear bis steps at
the door.
After this state Of things hsd continued.
or rather grown worse, for nearly three
months. put on my bonnet one morning.
after ~ husband had gone 70 his work.
and vent TO The deacon's store; aud. Hnd
ing him sloss. l stated my husbsnds case.
and begged him earnestly to sell my hus-
band no more.
He told me Il would do no good, for II
be did not sell u 70 him. some other per
son would; and be doubted il my husband
took more tban vas good for him. He
quoted scripture TO shov that 1t vas .
sifs's duty TO kesp - homo and submit
herself 10 her husband. and not meddle
With things which did not beloug 70 her
province. Al this time two or three GUS
tomers called for ram. and the deacon civ
lily advised me 70 90 home and look after
my children.
vent out ~ish heavy heart. Itseem
"a = II The tide Of evil vas setting against
me- A vss passing Farmer Jobnson's
o. NJ vsy hone. they caiisd mo in.
sat down suJ rested m self Tor fsv min