Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-12-18
THE FATAL GIFT.


hEMtNlSENCES OF AN EN-AUENT,
During one portion of my career an agent
Of the Total Abstinence Society, | was engaged
for some months in striving to convert the good
folks OF Chancel Islands, to right apprehension
and practical adoption of the teetotal system. 1t
was my custom at that time, to hold forth five eve
nings in the week, to the inhabitants of ST. Peters
Port. AS the town was not SO large as many of
our English towns had Of course to burnish up
my wits somewhat industriously, in order to find
new matter for the edlfcaton of my auditors. In
kind consideration OF the arduous character of my
task, few members of the Temperance Society
were in the habit of giving short addresses at my
meetings, and not unirequently impartng much in
terest to the meetings, and much instruction to the
people who composed them. OF one Of these kind
friends shall ever think respectfully and grateful
ly. He was a member of the Society of Friends,
rather advanced years, of q most benign aspect,
and truly benevolent disposition. He possessed
some property and considerable influence, and ire .
quently devoted portion of both to the spread OF
the Temperance cause. One evening he presided
at one of my meetings 1t was held in the Friends
meetngho The day towards its close had
been gloomy and stormy, and as natural result
| the congregation was scant. However, the most
crowded meetings are not always the most interes-
ting On rising, the chairman remarked that the
place was not filled with people, but he trusted that
every mind would be filed with good For his
own part, he had felt his thoughts draw powerfully
to the consideration Of the danger of the practice
of giving and offering intoxicating drink to Others
His memory, moreover, furnished him with a serl-
Gus Illustration OF the perilous, and in some cases
deadly nature of the custom to which he had adj
verted. He then, in a style which fixed the atten-
ton of all, and drew tears from the eyes of many
who were present. spoke in substance to the follow
ing effect:
; "Several years ago, long before | had heard Of
teetotasm, had occasion to take a voyage in q
sailing vessel from this port to the coast OF France
| was accompanied by my two daughters. In tho
expectation that they would be troubled by sea
sickness, and in conformity with the general opln
ion, we had provided ourselves with bottle of the
best cognac brandy, to be used a quoting medi
cine in the event of Illness OF course, see thu
obsurdity of believing that strong Stimnlan like
ardent spirits is fit to be used when sickness has al
ready ovcr-excited the stomach. But to proceed
7 our voyage was delayed, ON account of the wind
or other circumstances, so much that night cam
d OH soon after we sailed; and we made preparation
d of retiring to our berths with view Of passing
Il possible, several hours of repose Prior to our re
tirement for the night. we each took small glas
K of brandy; and as the captain Of the vessel
d trenchman-happened to be below Just them h
}, was asked to have a little of our brandy.
Il Gle tossed off draught of liquor with evider
: RELISH smacked his lips after drinking, and blddin
= us adeu for the night, went on deck. We had nj
C rested more than few hours, ere we were awat
1t ened by the trampng OBJECT, and confused nois
r of voices. ! fastened on deck. The night WI
d cloudy; the seamen were shouting to each otht
$, and hurryng to and fro. "What is the matter
U, | inquired. "Where is the captain!" Judge
at my horror and regret, when learned that he ha
D. been set on to drink by the brandy had given hn
had got intoxicated, and in that shocking state Ina
ct fallen overheard The boat put out, and the me
IS rowed about in darkness for a considerable lin
Us but all was in vain-the poor man was gone,
:, be seen no more, until "the sea shall give up /
). dead" As may be expected, sleep forsook OF
C. eyelids for the rest of the night, and the capta
OF less ship neared the French Shore just the 81
o. began to show its face Of fire in the glowing east
" "Wben we drew near our desired haven, to-
OF the ships glass and began to the neghborhoo
y; noticed in particular, neat looking house ne
ne the landing place, at upper window of which
OF saw female, who seemed to be alternately strai
ne ing her eyes, and waving handkerchief in the
/! rection of our vessel | said to one of the ere,
on " Some female at that house with a white iro
to the harbor, seemed looking out for the shi[
us The rough French sailor drew the back of his ha
at across his gstening eyes, all wet with tears a
o. said in tone made tremulous with emotion, I" A
D. God help her! that's the poor Captains wife, Mo
KS sieur!"
IN " Ofnecessity my griefwas deep and trying b
u until the light of teetotalism broke upon my mil
ne | never saw so clearly as have done since, ii
my giving and offering strong drink to a fello
IA creature was the moving cause of this most IT
a and distressing tragedy.
en- lps,cich Temperance Tracts