The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-26

to drink-why do 90 racing through the town
every week, mad bacchanal, and drunk us a
brute; why do destroy every germ OF rational
pride and every claim TO human respect by swill-
ing at the bottle, until the very dogs bark at me
as reel along the road or seek q lodging be-
meath the shelter of u friendly wall? Why is
nv wife born to something better and my chill
dren, who ruined by my example, disgraced
and half starved by my cursed habits? This is
what you ask; you mean to enquire, why make
a drunkard, beast of myself, while l caution
you against the crime"
We stepped backward, somewhat startled at
the force of appeal, and the truth of his applica-
tion--but we did not deny that his own case was
in our mind when we made the enquiry.
The man turned with us towards the beautiful
bay whose soft repose seemed to calm his agita-
ton, and soothe the irritation Of his mind. He
gazed for some time upoe the CLASSY surface as if
it reflected back to him the pleasure of his earli
er days-ful of promise, of honor to himselfand
comfort TO others; at length he said
"You have heard from your mother and 9th
ers all my story which is one of folly; not Of
CRIME, as the world reckons it; no man can charge
me with even ordinary falsehood which business
excuses, if not encourages. My rapid decent
was accelerated by the custom which then, as
now, prevailed, and my intoxcation was but the
consequences of q single extra cup. am what
you me, without the ability Of knowledge for
mechanical lnbor, and consequently, dependent
upon the discharge OF the meanest offices for
bread. Yet, with full recollection of all that
aCas, consciousness of attainment suited to the
enjoyment, ifnot the acquisition of wealth, it is
7,o,O impossible for me to do more than earn my
board by this mental TOLL and it is painful to
think that | could have done better
"When / wake 10 sobriety, from my most
beasy state, feel that this labor is suited to such
wretch; loose my self respect, and grow con-
tent with degradaton-a weeks sobrlety would
make me too proud to gather material for manure
from the sea shore, and my family would starve
my drunkenness has stepped my family in
poverty, must not, by sobriety, make them beg
CARS. You do not understand ths-you do not
know the benefit of destroying all natural pride.
May you never attain that forbidden knowledge;
but remember that nothing is so effective rs in
toxication; drunkenness is the perfect destroyer
OF selt-esteem."
The tears that coursed down the cheeks of the
poor man, told of awakened feelings, and we
felt hope that some new resolve of good was
to be made
81 have at times thought" said he, "that some
thing mil ht be done to check this torrent of in
toxicaton, and plans have presented themselves
to my mind; once indeed, l spoke of them to one
whose station would give importance to his
views he only replied, 81 drink only what need,
you drink too much" There is way to ahate
the evil, but what it is know not-and genera
tons may pass away, the proud be humbled, the
rich beggared, and the noble and gallant degrad
ed by drunkenness, before the true remedy will
be applied. What that is know not"
The poor man died the tenant of an almshouse,
and his auditor lives to see the remedy fully APP
piled in all the circle, at that time, swithin the
knowledge of the two interlocutors.