The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-02

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one, in his joy at his emancipation from
boyhood, he determined to celebrate the
event with his companions by an oyster
supper; and for that purpose, accompanied
by some six or seven somewhat older than
himself, proceeded to Restaurant on Penn
sylvanla avenue. Before they separated that
night, John Early felt, for the first time, the
effects of intoxicating drinks, and had to be
assisted home by one of his companions.
The next morning, his aching head and
trembling hands, soon brought to his recol-
lection the scenes of the preceding night;
and, although alone, he covered his face
with his hands, as if to shut out the view
Of the follies he had committed under the
influence Of strong drink. 0t
That day he made vow never to be
guilty Of the act Of drinking again from the
intoxicating cup, and for three months most
sacredly he observed it.
AT public meeting, he was again pre-
vailed upon to take one glass; from that to
another; and finally he was taken home
almost insensible. From that time forward
the appetite grew upon him, until he be-
came a habitual drinker; and there was
hardly day passed but what he was (more
or less) under the influence of rum. The
tears OF fond mother, or the remonstrances
of father and friends, were Of no avail
the appetite became too overpowering to re-
sist; and in the short space Of eighteen
months, poor John Early became but little
better than drunkard
One night, while passing along the street
on his way to meet some companions at
their old haunts, he accidentally raised his
head and saw Apollo Hall lighted up, and
transparent sign, with Temperance Meet
ing tonight, upon it in the window. Curl
osity, assisted by small, still voice within,
prevailed upon him to 60 in. He became
an attentive listener to the eloquent and per-
suasive remarks Of one devoted to the great
cause. John, convinced Of the ruinous ten
dency of the course he had followed, signed
the pledge of total abstinence, and became
again man.
A kind father and doting mother, that
night (upon their knees) poured forth their
grateful thanks and heartfelt prayers unto
merciful God for reclaiming their lost son.
He again returned to his industrious hab-
its; and having constant work from his old
master, he, at the suggestion of his own
heart, and by the advice of his parents, one
year after signing the Pledge, became the
happy husband Of Catherine Hyde, to whom
he had been long attached, and who viewed
his disgraceful and downward career with
pity and anguish-his reformation with sur.
prise and delight-now placing full reliance
upon its permanency, consented to become
his for life
They had been married six months, and
were comfortably settled in small house,
at a moderate rent; and, in the words of his
wife, "had nothing more to desire, except
a pledge that would bind them still closer
together, which was also expected in four
or five months, and anxiously waited for, as
the crowning point of their felicity.
About this time military company, to
which John Early was attached, determined
to hold an encampment near the city fol
two or three days. Although 10th to part
with his wife for even SO short time, he
decided to take part in its duties. Intoxi-
eating drinks were freely used, and in an
evil hour, John again became the victim of
alcohol; for two months he was almost
daily intoxicated; but the tears of a fond
wife and the entreaties of his parents, pre-
vailed upon him again to sign the Safety
Pledge.
After six months of usefulness, at the in
stance of true friend, he made application
for admission to Division Of the Sons of
Temperance, for further security from the
soul-destroying ravager. He gained admit
lance, and on the night Of his initiation, the
faces Of his wife and parents were lit up