Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-11-04
THE DRUNKARD'S BIBLE.

with good humored countenance, and flor
id complexion, rising as the last speaker took
his seat, Il have been tavern-keeper.'
At this announcement there was move-
ment through the whole room, and an ex-
preston of increased interest.
Yes Mr.. President he went on, 4 have
been tavern keeper, and many glass have
l sold to you and to the Secretary there, and
to dozens of others that see here, '-glanc-
ing around upon the company.
That's a fact broke in the President
many gin tody and brandy punch have l
taken at your bar. But times are changed
now, and we have begun to carry the war
right into the enemy's camp. And our war
has been successful, for we have taken pris-
oner one Of the rum sellers bravest generals
But 60 on, friend W., let US have your
experience
'As to my experience, Mr.. President the
ex-tavern keeper resumed, 'in rum-selling
and rum-drlnking-for have done a good
deal Of both in my day-that would be ratf-
er too long story to tell tonight, and one
that l had much rather forget than relate
1t makes me tremble and sick at heart when
ever look back on the evil have done.-
| therefore usually look ahead with the hope
of doing some good to my fellow men.
But there is one incident that will re-
late. For the last five years hard working
mechanic, with wife and several small
children, came regularly, almost every night,
to my tavern and spent the evening in the
bar-room. He came TO drink of course, and
many dollar of his hard earnings went into
my till. At last he became a perfect sot-
working scarcely one fourth the time, and
spending all he earned in liquor. His poor
wife had to take in washing to support her.
self and children, while he spent his time,
and the little he could earn at my bar. But
his appetite for liquor was so strong, that his
weeks earnings were usually all gone by
Tuesday or Wednesday, and then l had to
chalk up score against him to be paid off
when Saturday night came. The score grad
ually increased, until 1t amounted to three or
four dollars, over his regular Saturday nights
pay, when l refused to sell him any more
liquor until it was settled. On the day after
had refused to sell him, he came in with
neat mourning breast pin, enclosing some
hair--no doubt. thought-of deceased
relative. This he offered in payment of what
he owed. accepted it, for | saw at once
it was worth double the amount of my BILL
| did not think, or indeed care about the
question, whether he was owner or not
wanted my own, and in my selfish eagerness
to get my own, hesitated not to take a lit
tie more than my own.
Il laid the breast pin away, and all things
went on smoothly for while. But he grad
ually got behind again, and again cut off
the supply of liquor. This time he brought
me pair of brass andirons, and pair of
brass candesticks. l took them and wiped
off the score against him. At last he brought
a large family bible, and took that too
thinking, no doubt, could sell it for some.
thing.
'On the Sunday afterwards, having MOTH
ing to do-for used to shut up my bar on
Sunday, thinking it was not respectable to
sell liquor on that day. opened this poor
drunkard's family Bible, scarcely thinking Of
what was doing. The first place that
turned to was the family record. There i,
was stated that on certain day he had been
married to Emily -. had known En-
lily when was "a young man very well, and
had once thought seriously of offering myself
TO her IN marriage. remembered her hap.
py young face, and suddenly seemed to hear
the tone OF her merry laughter.
'Poor creature! = Isighed voluntarily as
IA thought of her present condition crossed
my mind-and then with pleasant feeling
| turned over the next leaf. There was the
record of the birth of four chdren the las,
had been made recently. and it was in the
mothers hand.
Il never had such a strange feeling as now
came over me. felt that | had no bust.
ness with this book. But tried to stifle my
feelings, and turned over several leaves
quickly. | suffered my eyes 10 rest upon al
open page; these words arrested my atten'
ton:
"'Wine is mocker, strong drink is ra'
ging; who so is deceived therby is not wise.
"This was just the subject that, under tin
feelings I then had, wished to avoid, ant
so l referred to another place. There
read
"'Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow
, Who hath wounds? Who hath bahblng
Who hath redncss ofeyes? They that tarr,
long at the wine. At last it biteth like
serpent, it stingeth like an ADDER"
| felt like throwing the book from me
But once more turned the leaves, and IN,
eyes rested upon these words:
"Woe unto him who giveth bis neighbo
drink that puttest the bottle to him am
> maketh him drunken"
Il closed the book suddenly, and the
threw it down. Then for half an hour
paced the room backwards and forwards i
state of mind such as never before ex
pericnced. had become painfully con
scious of the direful evils resulting from in
temperance, and still more painfully con
scious, that | had become IA willing instru
men, in the spread of these evils. canno
tell how much suffered during that day an
night, nor describe the fearful conflict tia
took place in my mind, between the selfs
9 love of the gains of my calling, and the plai
dictates of truth and humanity. twas abol
9 o'clock, think on that evening, that
opened the drunkard's Bible again, with
$ kind of despairing hope that might fin
S something to direct me. ! opened al Psalm
+, and read two or three chapters. As rea
A r 4 Al. Al