The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1843-08-19
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY II. WEBB.


wouldn't make speech that night and the
other ,opers wonldn't sign the Pledge till
the speech had been made.
1ll come here next Tuesday night and
make good speech said Bill with more
energy than he had displayed for months
before if uncle Simon and the rest of you
will come and hear me-
agreed, agreed was heard from all parts
Of the house. Ard then the audience dis.
persed.
"Tis strange what havoc intemperance
will make OF intellect aud ambition. When
William Smith was twenty Eve years of age
he was considered the most industrious
intelligent and noble hearted OF all the young
men in his native town. He was the pride
of all the circle in which he moved, and
bid fair TO shine bright ornament in the
most respectable society. He married a
wife and for while lived happily But
the seeds of intemperance had been planted
within him, and in ten years from that time
he had become Lazy Bill
Bill Smith wen. home that nigh. after
the temperance meeting and told his wife
what he had done
1--we signed the total abstinence pledge
by thunder Kate, hit or miss; and next
Tuesday night ] aa going to preach on
temperance
AT first his'wife would not believe one
word Of it; bu. the next day the indications
of change for the better we're TOO strong 10
60 unnoticed, and she admitted that some
thing must bein the wind"
The signing Of the Pledge dated from
Wednesday. and ON Friday Bill did who. no
had not done before for two years; he work.
ed all day. mended his windows, pu! new
shingles on his roof, hauled firewood on his
hand sled, &c. Saturday, Monday, and
Tuesday were similarly spent; and when
The temperance meeting came on Tuesday
evening, he brushed up his old coat, took
his wife by the arm and trudged silently to
the OLD school house
The audience had got there before him,
for every one was anxious TO hear what
Lazy Bill could say on the subject Of ten.
psrance. Old Simon had sealed himself
close 10 the Idesk that he might have the
better opportunity to play his pranks, and
exercise his powers ofridicule. Bat when
Smith entered, hooking SO chauged,s so noble
SO dignfed, comparatively, the old man
crept away abashed, and apparently aston
shed. Can this be Lazy Bill, he mental
ly asked, and the more he asked the ques-
ton the more he was puzzled to answer it.
Soon Smith commenced.
Ten years ago was respectable; in.
dustrious and happy. came into this
neighborhood; bought me few acres Of
OF land, built me small house, got married,
and went 10 work. We used 10 have social
parties in those times, and Sarah there,
pointing TO his wife, and used 10 attend
them. Sarah learned to knit edging and
tell stories, and learned 10 drinkj wine.
Very soon began to find myself occasional
ly impatient for the time of the next party
to arrive, aud when it came, l was equally
impatient to see the wine 60 round.
FINALLY | drank to excsss--even 10 in
toxica.ion--at once of these parties; and
from that time, though for while heartily
ashamed Of my conduct, had less of self
respect and more Of the appetite for liquor.
| began to visit the tavern, sndi,he little rum
shop down there a, the other village e. with
others Of like nclina,ions and appetties,
spent my time lounging about these grogge
ries;siting now in the sun,now in the shade;
never engaged in any more active business
than whiting pine stick, or tipping de.
cantsr Of New England rum. lost all my
ambition, by degrees-became lazy and in.
dolen,, and you called me Lazy Bill. A.
first my wife scolded and fretted at my
changed conduct, but this only made it
uovsa Than aha criad and entra a,.d. bv,