The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-08-01
TEMPERANCE STORY.
Bette, the Sexton.
THAT'S a good girl, Bette. wake upl

blnElC DGu, anu WdllSu iOl LiC blOW
breaking-up of her daughters morning
slumbers.
"Your pa didn't get home till after
midnight, and when he did come -
60 motherl Had he been drinking
again?" asked the girl, now wide
awake and sitting up in bed.
Yes" sighed Mrs. Burke, despon-
IDENTIFY. You'll have to go over and
get Ben Haynes to do the church work
to-day. It's swapping cold; and the
tire'll have to be made early to get the
church warm enough, so you must
hurry"
eyes, mother. Get me the keys.
PIP be downstairs in minute"
Bette dressed herself quickly and
with a serious face. Hurrying down.
stairs to the kitchen, she tarried long
enough to don hood and cloak, declin-
ing meanwhile the "bite o. breakfast I"
that her mother urged upon her, and
only half needing the direction that
Deacon Mcneil should he called upon
if Ben Haynes could not be found.
Then, taking bunch of keys from the
table, she started, pausng at the door
to say: 81 won't be back till after
Sunday-school, mother. Don't worry
about me. Pm going TO do pas work
to-day; he'll lose the job if they find
out he's been drinking" And Bette
was away before her mother could ut
ter word of protest.
When Jim Burke's wife was dis
abled by rheumatism some months be-
fore, her earnings as laundress TO some
of the more thrifty families of the COM
munity ceased. The loss was a seri-
GUS matter; for, since jim, as a day
laborer, was not noted for special dex-
terity, and his usefulness was further
impaired by the unfortunate drinking
habit that occasionally caused his pro-
longed absence from duty, his work was
not source of regular or abundant
supply. And, though the simple needs
OF the family did not exceed his income,
the unfinished payment for their little
cottage demanded a persistent effort of
which poor, weak Jim seemed incapable.
Bette began her work at the church
with much confidence in herself as
substitute official, She found delight.
full demonstration of her power In the
atmosphere of the audience-room stead
lily growing warm after her vigorous
efforts with the furnace. But her cour-
age ebbed as she entered the chapel in
the rear of the church. Jim's Satur-
day afternoons were always given to
restoring Sabbath order there. Now
the silent wall clock, the darkened win
dows, and the dust and arrangement
from the midweek sessions betokened
the depth of his neglect.
The time was too short for the floor
to be swept before Sabbath-school,
which convened after the morning ser.
vice. Comparative neatness was all
she could achieve; she would come
back after dinner and restore the room
10 its wonted cleanliness before the six
O'Clock chapel service.
Ten O'Clock found the sturdy Bette
in the tower room under the belfry,
both hands clinching the thick rope,
and her heart beating so loudly that she
wondered whether she could hear the
Methodist bell.
1t was the only other church bell in
the little town; aud it must be her sig.
nal, in want of time-piece.
Suddenly it rang. Bette pulled her
rope, but without producing sound.
Desperation gave her strength. She
bent forward in mighty effort.
Cl--angl Cl-angl Cl-angl
Bette bent her head in terrified GER
tainty that the sonorous metal had left
its yoke and was descending upon her.
Clangl sounded the distant bell.
Bette essayed a responsive stroke
that resulted in strange and uncertain
sound. She grew hot and dizzy, but
she had no thought of giving up.
Again her guide-Clang! Clangl
And now slow and steady pull
brought out tone more powerful and
sustained.
81 hope our friend James is not
wrestling with his old adversary this
morning." meditated Parson Brownell,
carefully placing his manuscript in his
breast pocket as he stood by his study
window At the same time Brother
VENT was preparing a few pungent
remarks upon the " shiftlessness" of a
board that could appoint Jim Burke as
sexton, these to be delivered to his first
appreciative nearer. And in neigh
boring house a certain member of the
fire company, super-sensitive to alarms,
threw down his razor in the midst of
his Sunday morning shave, at Bettie's
first onset.
But she soon began to catch the time
and motion; and, save some capricious-
ness, her bell swung in usual fashion.
Then, after the other had ceased, a
few more peals for show of independ-
ence, and Bette, dropping the rope,
rested against the wall, and clasped her
burning and blistered palms togther
upon her forehead. But, if the Pres
byterian worshipers failed to assemble
it was not for want of summons.
The morning wore on. Bette grew
calm down in the furnace-room as she
heard the service proceeding in custom
airy order, while the atmosphere up
stairs evinced no puny handling o.
shovel and tongs, and inspired the tritt
witticism, as friend greeted friend afte
service, that i'm must have been try
ing to give clincher to some points O
the doctrine"
The last attendant at Sabbath-schoo
departed, and Bette locked the door
and hurried home to dinner who's
digestion was aided by comforting
sense of relief.
EoI1om;pn har datarmin atiOD Of III