The Washingtonian., 1845-08-02
of thanksgiving from hearts 81 bre bowed down

of thanksgiving from hearts b<bre bowed down
with sorrow, be substituted4Ibr the voice Of
revelry. No change seemed o great--no re.
formation too wonderful and there was not
wanting those who prophesied that ere long
Alcohol would be banished from our shores,
and we be freed from the, curse, the wretched-
ness, and the misery Of intemperance. But
experience has proved that these were too
sanguine; and that the car Of reform, though
destined to eventual triumph, must move
slowly yet surely.
But TO return. Julia attempted time and
again to bring her lover under Tie influence Of
the Washingtonians, but in vain. He would
not listen to their arguments, nor be prevailed
on by their entreaties. "He could govern
himself" he said; he knew when he had
taken enough; he did not drink for the love Of
the liquor, but merely for the sake Of being
social"
Undismayed by defeat in this attempt, Julia
resolved to change her mode Of attack !; and
accordingly, having drawn up pledge of total
abstinence from all that can intoxicate, differ
ing somewhat IN its form from that used by
the Westinghouse, she solicited the aid Of
her younger sister in attempting to persuade
him to sign it. Ellen NJ, one of the most
beautiful and gifted girls ever knew, posses.
sed that rare combination Of energy, decision,
and prudence, which admirably fitted her for
this duty, and she entered upon it with zeal.
Seeking him at those seasons when he was
least under the influence Of alcohol, she por-
trayed, in language Of the most artless elo-
quence, and touching pathos, the consequences
Of the course he was pursuing the wretched-
ness he was bringing upon himself and his
friends, and her sisters anxiety in his behalf
Anon she would change the subject, and paint
in vivid colors the happiness Of the reformed,
the ease Of reformation, and the bright hopes
Of the future which awaited him. Poor Henry
at first refused to sign the pledge, but as she
continued to urge upon him its claims, his
stubborn heart relented, and brushing tear
drop hastily from his eye, he affixed his sig-
nature to the instrument with trembling
hand. - b AZ ggazssA 4. 49, , a NV
| Words cannot express the Joy of Ellen NJ,
at her success. She flew with eager haste to
her sister, and exhibiting the precious docu-
ment, exclaimed" IT'S done! It's done! Hen
ry is free"
Julia could hardly trust the evidence of her
eyes as to the fact of the signature; but hay
| ing obtained from her sister even the minutest
details of her successful efforts, she seemed at
length to comprehend its truth, but the emo
tion was too much for her feeble frame; she
tainted from excessive joy, and it was with
difficulty that animation was restored.
Foreight weeks Henry kept the pledge most
solemnly. He remained at home, frequenting
no longer the house of dissipation, but devot-
| ing his attention to the adorning and improv-
! ing his estate, which had suffered from his
neglect. But he was not thus to escape from
the snare of the fowler. The fend in human
shape, from whom he had formerly purchased
the poison, had missed him from his accus-
toned haunts, and, indignant at losing so val
liable customer, had resolved to nveiglc him
back to his old habits. For this purpose he
repaired to his house one morning early, and
proposed fishing excursion. Henry consent
ed, and the two sauntered along the bank of
beautiful stream, near the village, where
they angled for an hour or more with indiffer-
ent success, when the rumseller pulling from
his pocket flask Of brandy, offered it to Hen
ry, observing that he must be thirsty. Henry
declined, however, despite his repeated solici-
tations, and his own desire for the liquor; and
quenched his thirst from the brook.
| Defeated, but not disheartened, II. resolved
to lay another stratagem. Accordingly he di-
rected his daughter to issue invitations for
large party, and to invite Henry G. among the
guests. He furnished some choice wines for
the party, and instructed his daughter to per-
suade Henry to drink with her. Actuated by
the same demoniacal spirit with her father,
she performed her part to perfection. She re-
quested Henry to take glass Of wine with
her, and when he respectfully declined, she
urged it strongly, and rallied him so much on
his want Of gallantry, that he, who could never
bear ridicule, at last drained his glass. That
glass was his ruin! 1t reused his dormant thirst
for alcohol, and ere he left the house that
evening, he was intoxicated. The next morn
inU oarlv he was fund Of IT g stor., ollnr