Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-10-06
T E NJ P E r A N G E.
From the Morning Star.

From the Morning Star.
The Power OF CoNsCIENCE.-The |
anecdole [ am about 10 relate is no fc-
ton, and give it to you in substance as
| received it from the gentleman to whom
allusion is made.
During a recent sojourn in the interior
of New York, a business arrangement
called me to beautiful village in Herk-
liner county, we'll known to western uavel-
Iers by the lofty cliffs which rise on the
south and east, seemingly by the God of
nature to protect from the raging storm,
the bright stream that winds along the
deep valley beneath; and for the many
curiosites of its natural scenery, which
never fail to attract the notice of an observ-
ing stranger
The hotel at which | put up, is so sit
uated as to give one of the finest views of
the surrounding scenery, and the constant
passing of travellers by railroad, adds a
variety, in contrast with the usual mono
tony Of country hotel. Here, as we'll as
at all o'her places on the great western
thoroug hfare, you will meet with every
variety of character ;--p Ieasure-seekers
on their way from Saratoga TO the Falls
agents, of every sort, stirring to pro-
mote the fame of manufactures, and pub
fishers, with specimen articles, books, &c.
which they thrust into your notice for in
spection.
| was one day pacing the stoop of the
hotel, in leisure hour, medltating and
taking observations, as was my custom,
when my attention was arrested by con-
versation between some of the boarders.
and a traveller Of the last named descrip-
ton, whose earnest manner and gentle
manly address had won for him hear
ing on the subject of total abstinencc'
drew near and seated myself on a
bench, within a short distance Of the Bar
Room, and soon learned from the con-
versation of the stranger, that he had
formerly been dstiller, and afterwards a
rumseler in the retail way. An inquiry
into the cause of his having abandoned
the traffic, elected from him, in, substance
t the following
I CONFESSION.
, "Sixteen years ago, was the owner
Of a disliIlery, and was doing large bust
ness in the way of destruction and death
e and although the business was at tha
( time comparatively respectable, l must &C
knowledge that there was seldom time
when did not feel, 10 greater or les:
degree, a sense of wrong doing. In pro
g portion as this feeling increased, my IN
d terest in the business declined, and tht
r. consequence was failure which brough
me into reduced circumstances. | thel
commenced the retail grocery trade, IN
q GLIDING liquors of all sorts, and continue
e IN this for some time, but could never &c
+ rid Of feeling of meanness, which seem
ed to ne to attach itself TO a bushes
q which [ knew 10 be the cause of povert
e and misery.
ct happened on one occasion, late {
l. night III winter, neighbor whom | kne'
Is to be very Incorporate, called as usu'
with his jug, for a quart of poison Ate
e it was filled and paid for, he asked me j
st an lmploring way, if [ would trust hit
10 for loaf of bread. IrepIied in the neg;
. tive, but told him that would take bac
10 the rum in exchange for loaf Thi
a. however, he promptly refused to do, an
'e soon left the store.
of "My sympathy was awakened. all
b thinking his family might be in distress,
.. went into the house and succeeded 10 il
>, ducing my wife to go to their miserab
u" hoyel and ascertain the condition of tn
b. family. She soon returned with the sd
- tale of their misery. The drum ken hu
:. band Law stretched and senseess upon
heap of dirty straw in a corner of the ho
IL ell, while the wife was bending over
s. single coal of fire, the remenant OF the
Il. last stick of wood, and striving to queIl ii
cries of their half frozen and halt starve
nc children. The storm howled fearful
ar without, and [ thought of their mlserab
lat condition, and fell that was the cause
{. it all 1t was enough My eyes We
opened, and | made an everlasting 70
that [ would aecer sell on taste onoth
at drop. Thanks to God, who has enabl
ny me to keep, that vow inviolate to this day.
wv | now feel it my duty to use all the inf
ence may ever have, to promote the g
rious cause of temperance, and if possib
ny TO make restitution for some of the mise
or | have caused. But this 1 can only no
he to do in part, and must look to God !
- forgivness.'
What an example this would that
cry rumseller might exhibit the same ma
ac- naIimity of purpose, and yield to the sal
unavoidable conviction OF truth, oefo