Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-10-26


trod it with giant strides.
But where, meantime, was his widowed
mother? where was that Christian mother
She was far distant, and knew nothing Of
what was passing at College. She only
heard from her son, and his letters were al
fectionate as ever; and though his thanks
for her remittances were no longer accom-
panied by accounts Of books or literary |
curiosities purchased, yet the mother did
not doubt that all was well. But do you
ask were were the officers of College
Alas, they were too much Expressed with
the literary education Of their pupils, to
devote much thought to their moral cul-
ture. George Stevens recited his lessons
well, for his talents were of high order,
and he lacked not literary pride, and his
conduct was not VIGOROUSLY bad J; further
than this they cared not to know.
A year passed by; the long vacation ar
rived Mrs. Sevens counted the hours, al
most the minutes that must elapse bfore her
beloved son was clasped in her arms
He came; fine looking, well dressed
youth, and the mothers heart was full Of
happiness. She saw in HIM the image of
her long lost, but well remembered hus-
band, and all, and more than all, that that
husband had been, she doubted not the SON
would be.
A few days passed without the mothers
having a suspicion, IA mothers heart is no
home for suspicion) of her son. She OBJ
served that George partook literally of the
wine, with which her table was provided
LII III thot g
evil, that the brandy bonie-(thcse were not
the days of temperance, and even Christian
tables were polluted by ardent spirit
never refused by him yet she feared not
evil. His father, (and George was so like
his father) his father had loved his glass of
wine, his father always took his brandy
and water with dinner, and yet his father
was what was then called a temperate man.
A week or two had passed, and George
was invited to convivial party by col
iege friend. He went, charging his moth
er not TO sit up for him; but he knew not
! mothers heart, he knew not the delight
: that mother felt, in gazing even for mo.
, ment, on her son in adding her fervent
God bless you," to the usual fond " Good
night" Mrs. Stevens sat up; midnight
came, yet George came not; one, two,
! three o'clock, and yet he is not here
-Four O'Clock; carriage drove to the
: door. Mrs. Stevens FASTENED forward to
3 welcome her son the servant opened the
: door; loud coarse voice cries Out
g "Here is your master, put him TO bed" A
S wretched drunkard reels and staggers for.
S ward, scarce kept from falling by the arm
k Of the servant he approached the parlol
= door, where, frozen with horror, sickenec
s with disgust, his mother stood the ligh
from the lamp streamed around her figure
h he recognized her. The shock soberct
= him. "Oh mother" said he; the moth
d er spoke not she only groaned heavily
y and fell sensless on the floor.
S The next morning George Stevens de
n scended with an aching head and feveret
q lips to late breakfast shame was on hi
ii brow, and the consciousness Of degrade
d ton at his heart. Ills mother met hin
al with kind, calm sorrow. After havin,
a spent silent half hour at the table, wher
t. neither could eat particle, George aros
n and was leaving the room; his mothe
Or read in the logged suenness of his loo
a. determination to drown thought, care
ID and shame, in the maddening bowl. Tn
he idea impelled her to act; she sprang fol
Or ward she caught him in her arms AN
re son my son do not desert me !" Tn
n heart of the son was touched, he wep
r. and they parted not till the mother ha
~ commended her son and his newly mad
IL resolutions of amendment to God inprayel
e. George Stevens returned to college, b.
of not to dissipation. His gay companion
nd were as.onished to find that he was no longt
as to be of their party. Persuasion was trie
ot in vain--then they had recourse to rldlcu'
MP and George Stevens was compelled to cl
as dure "the trial Of fierce and cruel mocl
Al. ings." For a while he resisted this als'
n But at last, to prove as he said, that he wi
m, not the Ggot-the slave they called him, !
ar resolved to attend a supper party at h
friend Jones'. Jones was such good ft
INT Iowa VERY TEMPERATE drinker and WI
RS A TEMPERATE drinl1er there could be no da
ID ger. He went, and was brought home
for midnight in state of helpless, sensele
he drunkenness. The chain now broken, &
Try old habit returned like the strong man arr
asst ed; debauch fallowed debauch, till the me
IRE sure Of his excuses going beyond the CO
lis. lege standard Of decency, he was expell
to for gross intoxication. This sentence I
it'll vealed TO the still deceived mother the {
en- extent of her misery. She wrote her s
,ns long and affectionate letter, entreating
in immediate return to her. He came--t
art, oh! how changed; debased, harden'
ind brutalized--in short, drunkard. In VI
YES his mother reasoned, demonstrated, impl'
lily, od--he could deride her arguments, a
| to scof therprayers. His onlv care, his o.
| thought was DRINK! DRINK! DRlNF
d His fine natural constitution bore up
irst time against the poisonous influence
ing rum; at length, after more than usua