St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1894-06-28

mOOnl1Snteu track, DtLWten the
glisteuing rails. Well. boys, that
whiskey got into my head in time
and I was staggering along, when
Rachel's voice, sharp with agony
sounded in my ear, oh, Donald,
Donald, you are drunk A moment
later she seized my arm crying,
Donald, the night express is coming +;
get off the track = But l could not
get eff On thundered the train, and
when it was almost on US l fell
down. Rachel dragged me off the
track, and l rolled down the steep
bank just as the train Numbered by.
But above the roar of the train there
rose an awful sound-the scream Of
woman's voice. 1t sobered me,
and | got up and clambered up the
bank, and there, upon the ties, lay
my dear, faithful sister dead-killed
by the cars!
well, boys, the next morning
after the funeral, stood by the gate
in the lane, thinking sadly of what
had transpired, when a quick step
sounded behind me on the gravel.
l looked around. 1t was Marion.
She fixed her mournful, accusing eyes
on my face. DO you know what
you have done, Donald Murray"
she said. did not reply. Rachel,
your lovely, noble sister, died to save
your worthless life Still l did not
answer. She waited a moment, and
then said: L am going home to-
morrow. We shall probably never
meet again l gave her my hand;
he 5~L
over it, and l said: Marion, know
what you say is true, and l know
that you despise me. l cannot tell
what the future will bring. All is
darkness to me now. l, too, am
going away; and, believe me. Marion,
l shall yet be mana man before
the world Will you, Donald p she
said and her eyes were full of tears
Good bye she said, and passed
quickly down the lane, and I never
saw her again. She died five years
ago." Murray was silent for
a few moments, and then, in
strangely altered voice, he said:
Boys, pass over the few days that
mother that Marion would not
marry me, and the reason why, and
that 1 was going West. They did
not oppose my going. Father said,
Let the boy go; it may be the
means of saving him
well, boys, sat in my bedroom
the night before leaving home, and
if there was never but one broken
hearted fellow in this world, l was
that one. 1 had lost everything
Marion and Rachel, self-respect,
everything! 1 sat there in the dark
ness, for there was no moon, and
then-it was about II o'clock-a
strange thing happened. Ifelt some
thing-a strong power it was-stir
within me.
"A sudden desire to break off all
my bad habits and be man took
possession of me. l got up, CROPPED
about in the darkness to the table,
got hold of my Bible, laid my left
hand upon it, lifted my right hand to
heaven, and said, just loud enough
for God and the angels to hear, l
forswear drink from. this time on!'
stopped and kissed the book. Then
l undressed and went to bed and
slept soundly until morning. Boys,
my subsequent life you know; and
you know that l have kept my VOW.
Ny daughters, Rachel and Marion,
can tell you that l never drink"
A silence like death was in the
room. The four young men sat with
pale faces, and eyes bright with ex-
element. Finally, Charley Howard
broke the spell. He sprang to his
feet, crying, Boys, let's all take
that oath! and he lifted his right
hand to heaven. Dick Warren rose,
but the other two hesitated.
Gomez cried Charley Howard,
stand upl let's be men" Then they
rose slowly, and all four stood with |
hands raised to heaven.
what was the oath you repeat
ed 20 said Charlie Howard to Muir
ray. II forswear drink from this
time on" said Murray in a deep,
solemn voice, and slowly and rever-
emily the four young men repeated
IN chorus, 81 forswear drink from
this time on!" adding a fervent, $50
help me, Godp' and sat down.
All was silent save the soughing
Of the wind in the pines above the
little cabin and as Donald Murray
sat with fearful eyes in that silent
room one could almost imagine that
the angels leaned over the battle
nents of heaven and whispered,
All is we'll p christian Cynosure.