Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-01-19
THE PLEDGE.

Join us in the pledge, Colonel, surely
you will not refuse Me- said beautiful
bride emerging from bevy of bridesmaids
and extending glass OF trimming cham
paign as she spoke.
The gentleman whom she addressed had
studiously RETAINED, during the evening,
from drinking any Of the costly wines
prepared for the guests But finding him
self thus the object OF general attention.
for when the bride spoke every eye was
turned upon him-he colored, stammered
a few indistinct words took the glass and
bowling gracefully, drank long life and
happiness to the bride.
Il told you l should succeed. said the
young and happy creature, her eyes spark
ling with triumph, as she retired into the
circle of bridesmaids. knew Col. War
rem would not refuse me. What a pity
he has got such purintanical notions in his
head. He used TO be the foremost with
happy allusion or eloquent sentiment when
the wine circulated.
No one was there to contradict this Joy
Gus but thougtless creature, or 10 tell her
that Col. Warren's indulgence in wine had
nearly proved his ruin. He had been alb
sent from his naive city for some years,
during which period he had formed his
resolution not to drink in consequence of
a conviction of his own weakness. On
his return, his old associates in vain per-
suaded him to alter his determinations
He refused firmly but courteously. On
various festive occasions they thad endea-
vored 10 induce him TO join them in the
pledging each other, bu. his answer had
always been the same. This was the frs.
time since his return that he had been at
an entertainment where wine was intro
duced in the presence Of ladies. 1t was
received to Try whether the influence of
the sex would break resolution which
more than one felt to be a reproach on
himself. How the scheme succeeded we
have not seen.
No pen can adequately described the
emotion Of Colonel Warren during the in
slant he hesitated before taking the prof,
fered glass from the bride. He was chiy,
alrous to fault in his demeanor to the sex
and had never been known TO refuse IA.
vor asked by woman. The bride was
the daughter Of his early friend, cherish.
ed treasure. whom he had MANY time
handled on his knee, and whom he had
never done any thing to slight or pain
He stood, as we have seen, irresoiute for
moment hesitating between fear for The
result and dislike to disoblige his favor
lite on this her wedding night. But a.
length, he had fatally yielded.
Little did the young bride think of the
dreadful issue of her tempting words and
smiles. Little did she think that the hank.
erlng love for wine, which had nigh redu.
ced her victim to the verge Of confirmed
inebriacy, would awaken again at the taste
OF that glass, and rage with more violence
than ever: Young, happy and Thoughts
less. she looked only at the present ,ri-
umph, considering the result. How then
was she surprised 10 hear. few months
alter her marriage, that Col. Warren was
becoming an inebriate-tnat he rarely re-.
tired TO bed unless in a state of ;n,oy;c,.
non-and that, In consequence. his f;ne
person was becoming dis6eured and h;s
large fortune wasting away. She shud,
dered, but still did not think Of her Own
agency in the matter, and. hen nex, shs
met him. with the privilege allotted -
youth and beatty, ven,ured 10 plead win
him on the subject. "''N
MADAM, said he in reply, and the mel.