Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-09-22
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
eNsNARED BY Rum.
=, rmperiied Life saved by chiid's
Ir4ftlQ.


The front door Of a long low farm
house stood wide open. and, though the
sun shone with unusual fervency TINS
hot summer morning. there, on the
shady western side OF the house the air
was still comparatively cool, and, on
so sweet
The ward was full Of old fashioned
flowers. Ragged robins gayly Haunted
their red tatters; spicy pinks and
southernwood. sweet Williams and
balm perfumed the air for rods around.
At each end of the high steps grew
huge punches of dark blue larkspur
covered with great, buzzing, pollen
coated bees.
Two little girls came tripping
through the hall and out at the door.
Brown haired Bessie's cheeks glowed
pinker than ever with the heat and
pleasure of a whole days visit with
Libbie, who lived at grandpa's all the
time. A great contrast these little
cousins presented; bnt they were de-
voted friends, and Libbie's somewhat
reckless spirits were often tempered by
Bessies more quiet thoughtfu.aess.
just now they were brimful OF delight
full plans for the day. Each had wide
mouthed bottle and an old iron spoon.
you stay at one end of the steps and
III 90 to the other" whispered Libbie,
land we'll soon catch one"
What could they be after The
bees? Yes; each little girl was intent
upon capturing one of those big, yell
ow-banded honey seekers. First,
they put few flowers in their bottles,
then, watching until, in his hunt for
honey, big fellow had disappeared
within flower, they held the mouth OF
the bottle ready, and the spoon deity
applied sent HIM into his prison where
he set up a tremendous buzzing Ia
futile efforts TO get out
Holding the spoons snugly over the
bottles, the little girls sat down on tho
steps to enjoy good look at their pris-
oners. and discover. if possible, how
they got honey" But the bees were
very perverse and seemed TO have but
the one idea Of now to get away.
why, said Libbie, he acts just like
a drunken man stumbling along and
falling over; his wings don't seem to do
him a mite Of good"
"0h!r said Bessie, with frightened
look coming into her face, that re-
minds me of something to tell YOU
something awful! Dan Beckett hung
himself last night in his mothers
BARN.
Libbie uttered a little scream, and
the two children edged nearer together
as the awfulness OF that act took form
in their quick imaginations. Bees and
bottles were forgotten as Bessie tried
TO tell what she knew of the dreadful
story.
Papa said it happened Just before
he came By the house on his way home
from market, and that Dams poor old
mother was crying and telling the peo-
pie how good her boy always was to
her. And papa said If Dan could have
let the drink alone he would have been
a good man. | suppose he got 'scour'
aged trying" continued Bessie, STUN
bling little over the long word.
'.He was ever so good to poor folks
and little children, and was real funny
and pleasant. Sometimes I've heard
him singing nice songs when he went
by our house on his way to work. My
papa said the poor fellow couldn't get
past a saloon. noway, and that Dan
said once he should be happy man if
there wasn't saloon to be found. Oh.
] wish there wasn't one in the whole
world"
Il wish that God would send His
lightning right ont of the sky and tear
'em all TO piecesr' burst forth the ex-
cited Libbie
And that every bit of money the
saloonkeepers get for their whisky
would turn into great humble bees and
sting 'em just awfull' added Bess, with
tears falling over her hot cheeks.
Then, reminded of their happy occu-
patton, the little girls turned to the
forgotten bottles and found that the
prisoners had escaped and were using
their wings again to some purpose.
Somehow the children dimly real
lied the incongruity of the brightness
of the sweet old garden with the dark
story just related, and could not con-
tinue their play just then, so, with one
accord, they sought the loving arms Of
dear grandma, who would be sure to
soothe and cheer the troubled little
hearts. Gleeful laughs from the cool
back kitchen soon showed how well she
had succeeded
Sadness or gloom abide but momen-
tarily in the heart of child. Not so
with those of mature years, and a young
man, resting on lounge in the dark
upper hall, found it impossible for many
days to shake off the depression caused
by Bessie's sad story. At first he had
listened in quiet enjoyment of the chill
dren's unique play and talk-they never
dreaming that jolly Uncle Ray was SO
near - but the shocking story had
reached his ear with startling distinct
ness and power.
He sprang to his feet, horror-stricken
Through his mind swept swift memories
of Dan Becket's careless, idle boyhood,