Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-02-25
sUslE's CONVERT.

anu ner sister susie were playing IN
the yard one day.
Let me seel' cried Susie, who was
busy building an oven. She dropped
her playthings, and running to the
fence, climbed up on it beside Sadie
and looked earnestly at their neighbor,
who was coming down the street.
Poor mani he could not walk very
well, and every now and then he
leaned against tree and rested.
"lIe must be sick" said Sadie. ~
wish mamma was at home. She'd
know what to give him."
Lets go and see what we can do
suggested Susie. Don't you remem-
Der how he took us to ride once? |
think we ought TO help him. to pay
bacls;' and sturdy Susie opened the
gate and marched down the street,
with Sadie following more timidly.
'How do you do, Mr. Bartlett?" said
Susie, very politely. II am sorry you
are so sick; but if you'll lean little
on me. can help you home and
Susie, who was tall of her age, drew
herself up to her full height.
Mr.. Bartlett tried to straighten him.
self up, but did not succeed very well.
He looked at the children as if he did
not see them, and began to talk; but
Susie could not understand a word he
said.
"How sick he must bel'' she thought,
while Sadie looked on in open-eyed
wonder. Il guess the sooner we get
him home, the better;" and. taking his
hand, she placed it on her shoulder,
and, with Sadie on the other side, she
tried to help him home. lie did not
object He leaned a little heavily on
Susie: but, fortunately, his house was
near by Before he reached his gate,
however, he ceased mumbling, and
looked at the children as if he recog-
nized them. His head dropped. and
he leaned less heavily ON stout little
Susie's shoulder.
'.Tm all right now" he said, with an
effort, as they opened the gate for him.
''Thank you. You needn't come in,
and he walked up the path as if much
better.
Susie and Sadie turned to go away,
and met their mother just coming
home, TO whom they told their story.
Mrs. Lee looked grave, and did not
speak for some time.
"What was the matter with him, do
you suppose, mammal" asked Susie.
Mrs. Lee hesitated, but after a mo-
ment answered.:
''Mr. Bartlett has disease, children,
2 4.
sorry you saw him, for he was not in
his right mind. But, perhaps, when he
is he will remember that you helped
him, and he will try to help himself
more.
''When he was little boy, no bigger
than your brother Arthur, his father
used to let him take sugar with brandy
on it. and he learned to like it. 1t
made him sick, and every year he grows
worse. and Graves the brandy more. 1t
is a most terrible disease, and not only
does 1t kill the man, but his friends all
suffer, too. That was why the boys
were asked to sign a pledge the other
day, promising not to drink intoxicat-
ing liquors.
''Oh, ! know all all about it now,
said susie; only l didn't
know he was drunk | never saw any
body drunk before. Did they ask Mr..
Bartlett to sign, too?"
Mrs. Lee shook her head. She was
how many times he had been
asked and refused, and that was no
reason why he should not be asked
again. There was no end of times that
Christ meant us to forgive our brothers;
and why should there be any limit to
the times we should try to save them?
'sWell, I'm going to ask him., said
Susie. sturdily. Hell do it for me, /
know. and I'll sign myself, if he does;
mayn't /, mamma?'
..We'll see" answered Mrs Lee.
"There's no hurry just now"
But Susie didn't feel satisfied. She
went out to play. but her busy little
brain was planning all the time how
she should do it.
After tea she slipped into the Ii
brarv. where she knew was the
pledge her brother Arthur had signed, |
and. carefully tucking it under her
apron. she crept out of the yard and up
20 Mr. Bartlett's door. Kind, lovely /
Mrs. Bartlett opened the door, and SUI
lie saw she had been crying.
Il don't believe but what he's
worse" she thought. but being very |
decided little girl when once she had !
made up her mind she asked for Mr..
Bartlett.
Hes in the the parlor," said Mrs.
BARTLETT. sadly. you go right in.
binl, he will like to see YOU
Susie walked in. Mr.. Bartlett sat in
IN easy-chair. with book in his hand.
ont was evidently not reading. lie
oolxed up as Susie came in. but turned
way his head again. Susie went
up to his chair and put her
land on his knee.
How do you do this evening, Mr.
8artlettq' she said. Il came over here
o bring you this paper. and ask you to
please sign it - !
Mr.. Bartlett looked cross WHO