The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-07-08

mine, and 1 disgraced myself. l
wished to do my best, and l had not
then learned to distrust the syren of
the cup"
81 won't believe it, Johnl" ex-
claimed the old man. "I won't be-
lieve that son of mine has been in
toxicatedp'
but it is true, father. If l had
been a poor man, Just commencing the
practice of law, people would have
said that / was drunk. But that is not
all. My oldest boys have been lovers
of wine, quoting your example and my
own as proof that this appetite could
be safely INDUCED. One midnight
they were brought home to me in
state of such beastly intoxication that
1, their o,Cn father, turned from them
in utter disgust. Anger, modification
and grief all struggled for the mastery
in my breast. did not sleep that
night it seemed TO me that myself and
my entire family were fast sinking into
the bottomless pit The next morning
l summoned my boys to an interview,
which lasted for hours; and when that
interview closed, we had pledged our
selves never again to taste of wine.
But it has been hard fight for us, and
we are not so strong as to be above
temptation. believe / can trust N.Y.
self to resist, even here; but for my
boys, father, beg, l pray that you will
not offer them wine. If they drink
they will be ruined, soul and body; and
the sin will lie at your door. l could
indemnify my client for his loss; but
you could never give me back nv boys
as strong in noble purpose as now"
There was long silence. The hands
of the clock seemed to move more
slowly as they measured the passing
moments. Judge Warren was proud
of his name. He had received it I'M
furnished, and he looked forward to a
line of descendants who should bear it
not unworthily. Johns boys were, if
possible, dearer to him than John him
self. He thought of all this as he
rested his head upon his hand, medi-
tating a reply to what he had heard.
Facts were stubborn arguments, and
his son must have spoken the truth.
What should he do? Yield to the en-
treaty, and acknowledge that he had
been wrong in the past? Should he do
this? Or should he take from his head
its crown, and trample this crown in
the dust?
John, call your brothers and sis
ters," he said, without looking up.
They were summoned. "Call your
mother, too" She came. "Now tell
them what request you have made
Tell them all you have told me, if you
wish them to know"
Chances of surprise were exchanged,
as brothers and sisters waited silently
for what might be said. The mother,
clasping the hand of her first born,
asked, "What is it, my son? l am sure
your father can deny you no reasonable
request at this time. Let us hear it.
John Warren looked around, and g,
realizing how much was at stake, re-
peated the story he had intended only
his father should hear. He was noble
man, Christian man. Never had he
given stronger proof of this than when
he acknowledged his sin in yielding to
the destinations of the wine-cup. "God
knows how bitterly deplore my guilt, :"
he said, with touching earnestness.
And his boys: il was hard to expose
the good of others demanded it.. All!
he needed no borrowed inspiration.
| Waxing eloquent with his theme. he
uttered such plea for total abstinence
as is seldom heard. No one of his
audience would accuse him of weak
ness or want of ordinary self-control.
Was he fanatic? He spoke the words
of truth and soberness-words wrung
from him by an experience cruel as the
grave.
His mother looked at him lovingly.
while her eyes suffused with tears and
her lip quivered. "God bless YOU. nv
boy" she exclaimed, as he paused.
God bless you, and give grace to you
and yours to keep your pledge in
violate"
" Nellie!" 1t was the old name Judge
Warren had learned when he was a
school-boy, and Nellie Barnard was the
merriest girl that ever woke the noun
tain echoes with her laugh. "Nellie.
should l have been a better husband,
had | never tasted wine?" There was
no response. Should l have been q
better man, more consistent Chris
tan, living more as God would have
hio llNV' OuIu my influence nave
told more for the good of humanity
had | never tasted wine? He waited
for reply. "Nelliep'
"John, you have been a good husband;
but believe you would have been bet.
ter in every relation of life had you
A pale, haggard face confronted her
She did not need to complete the sen.
tence.
"Should l have been better father
to you my children"
" Your example and influence would
have been on the safe side," said John
The same question was repeated
and from each son and daughter came
a reply of like import. 1t was an hon
est hour, when, with bated breath anC
wildly throbbing hearts, father, mother
brothers and sisters took counsel to-
gether.
"One more question; Have you evel
seen me so much under the influence
of wine that my brain had lost its bal
ance?" After much hesitation and
many misgivings, this, too, was an
swered in the affirmative.