The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-01-17
Miscellaneous.
THE DRUNKARD'S BIBLE

"Mr President said short, stout man, with
good -humored countenance, and flord complexion,
rising the last speaker took his seat 81 have been
a tavern-keeper.'
AT this announcement there was a movement
through the whole room, and an expression of in
creased interest.
ayes, Mr. President" he went on, al have been |
tuvern-keeper, and many glass have sold to you,
and you and to the secretary there and to dozens
Of others that see here
That's fact, broke in the president, ''many a
gin toddy, and brandy punch have taken at your
bar. But times changed now, and we have be-
gun to carry the right into the enemy's camp
And our war has not been altogether unsuccessful,
for we have taken prisoner one Of the rum.seers'
bravest generals! But go on, friend W., let have
your experience.
''AIy experience, in rum-sellng and rum drinking,
for have done good deal Of both in IN, time,
would be rather to long story to tell. 1t makes me
tremble and sick AT heart, whenever look back on
the evil that have DONE therefore usually look
ahead with the hope of doing some good to my fellow
men.
| But there is one incident that will relate For
the last FIVE years hard working mechanic, with
wife and several small children regularly al
most every night to my tavern, and spent the eve
ming in the bar-room. He came to drink, of course,
and many dollar of his hard earnings went into my
| till At tast he became perfect sot working scarce
~ fourth Of his time, and spending all he earned
in liquor. Hi+ poor wife had to take in washing to
support herselfan children, while he spent his time
and the little he could make, lat my bar. But his APP
petite for liquor ST ong that his weeks earn
ings were ussAlly all gone by Thursday or Wednes
day. and then had to chalk up against him.
to be paid off when Saturday night came. This
score gradually increased, unit, amounted to two
three dollars over his regular Saturday nights pay,
| when refused TO sell him any liquor until it
| was settled. On the day after had thus refused
| him. he came in with neat mourning breast pin,
| very handsomely set-enclosing some har-no doubt,
of deceased reative.-This he offered in payment
for what he owed. accepted it, for the pin,
at once, was worth double the amount Of my bill.
did not think, or indeed about the question,
whether he was the owner not: | wanted my own,
and in my selfish eagerness to get my own, heslta-
ted not to take little than my own.
laid the breast pin away, and all things went on
smoothly for a while But he gradually got behind
again, and again cut Off his supply of liquor. This
time he brought pair of androns, and PAIR OF
brass candlestcks, and took them and wiped OFT
the score against him. At last he brought a large
fmily bible and took that too-lhhhlhe' no uouo''
could sell it for something
On the Sunday afterwards, having nothing to do
for I used to shut my bar on Sundays, thinking II
was not respectable to sell liquor on that day open
ed this poor drunkard's family Bible, scarcely think
ing of what was doing The first place turned 10
was the family record There 1t was stated, that'
upon certain day, he had been married to Emily
Ibad known Emily when was young
man. very well, and had once seriously thought oil Oh
J ferng myself to her in marriage remembered her
happy young face, and seemed suddenly to near
tone of merry laughter.
, Poor creature! sighed involuntary as though'
Of her present condition rossed my mind: ana then
with no very pleasant feelings turned over announcer
Loaf sere was the record of the birth of four chill
dren; the last had been made recently and was Id
the mothers hand
, Inev,r had such strange feelings as now came
o,or mo felt that had no business with this book
But tried to s,lfe my feelings, and turned ''e'
n ,o,,or,, leaves quickly. ASH suffered my eyes te
rest upon an open wage, these words arrested my al
tention
..,t inc is mocker strong brink is raging WHOSE
10 deceived thereby is not wise -
This was Just the subject that under the ieeing
II ,ho, had wished 10 avoid, and referred to anoti
; err place. There read MN, ,..,
n ..,ybo hath vo, Who hath sorrow' Who haiti
IT md, Who hath babbing? Who hath rednes
of eyes? They that larry long al 'he Wine. "
> last it bteth like serpent, II s'lnse'' ''"o "
y I felt like throwing the book from me. ou' ono
: more turned the leaves, and my eyes rested uP'
$ these words -.
" .Wo unto him that giveth his neighbor drink
e that puueth ,bs bottle to him. and makes MIN o'oAA
e en-