The Columbian fountain., 1845-12-30
MI SCEL.LAN EOUS.
The Fatal Gift,
OF AN ey-

Uf AN EN-6GEET,
During one portion of my career as an
agent OF the Total Abstinence Society, !
was engaged for some months in striving to
convert the good folks of the Channel
Islands to right apprehension, and prac-
teal adoption of the teetotal system. Ii was
my custom, at that time, TO hold forth FIVE
evenings Of each week, to the inhabitants
OF Peters Port. As the town was not so
large as many of our English towns, | had
OF course to burnish up my wits somewhat
Industrlously, in order to find new matter
FOR the cdlfcatlon 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 unire-
quently imparling much interest to the
meetings, and much instruction TO the peo-
pie who composed them, OF one of these
kind friends shall ever think respectfully
and gratefully He was a member of the
Society of Friends, rather advanced in
years, OF most benign aspect. and truly
benevolent disposition He possessed some
property, and considerable influence. and
frequently devoted portion of both to the
spread OF the temperance cause. One eve
ming he presided at one of my meetings.
1t was held i'll the Friends Meeting House.
The day, towards It's close, had been gloomy
and stormy, and, as natural result, the
congregation was scant. However, the most
crowded meetings are not always the most
interesting On rising, the chairman re-
marked 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 drawn powerfully to the
consideration of the danger of the practice
of gictng and o6crng Intoxicating drink 10
others. His memory, moreover, furnished
him with a serious illustration of the peril
Gus, and in some cases, deadly nature of the
custom To which he had adverted He
then, in style which fixed the attention Of
all, and drew tears from the eyes Of many
who were present, spoke i'll substance to
the following effect:
"Several years ago, long before ] had
heard>oT teetotalism, had occasion 10 take
a voyage in a sailing vessel, from this port
To the coast Of France. was accompanied
by my two daughters. In the expectation
that they would be troubled by sea-sickness.
and in conformity with the general opinion.
we had provided ourselves with bottle Of
the best cognac brandy, to be used as a
quoting medicine in the event Of illness
OF course, ] see now the absurdiy Of be-
lieving that strong Stiaulah like ardent
spirit is fit to be used when sickness has
already excited the stomach. But TO pro-
ceed. Our voyage was delayed, on account
Of the wind, or other circumstances, SO
much that night came on soon after we
sailcd and we made preparations for retir-
ing to, our berths, with view OF passing, il
possible, several hours in the enjoyment o
repose. Prior TO our retirement for the
night, we each took a small glassiul a
brandy; and as the captain Of the vessel, a
Frenchman, happened to be below just
then, he was asked to have little of oui
brandy. He tossed off draught of the
liquor with evident relish, smacked his lips
after drinking, and bidding us adieu for the
night, went on deck We had not rested
more than few hours, ere we were awaken
ed by the trampling of feet, and confused
noise of voices. | hasened on deck The
night was cloudy; the seamcn were shout.
ing to each other and hurryng to ard fro
.'What Is the matter'" inquired. "Whert
is the Captain" !" Judge Of my horror and
regret, when learned that he had been SCI
on TO drink by the brandy had given him
had got intoxicated, and in that shocking
state had fallen overheard The boat was
put out, and the men rowed about in the
darkness for considerable time, but, alas
all was in van--the poor man was gone, tc
be seen no more until 'the sea shall give
up Its dead.' As may be expected, sleeI
forsook our eyelds for the rest Of the night
and the captainless ship neared the French