Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-06-20

THE FUNERAL.

How dreadfully that young man sobs, and yet
he does not seem to be one OF the family. Do you
know whose funeral it isl Is the one who weeps
so bitterly relative?"
"No, but he was once in love with the young
girl whom he is now following to the grave. He
is no relation. Some years ago he courted her
but suddenly fell into habits Of intemperance, when
her lalherforbade him the house. Since then, the
poor girl has pinned away under an appalling CON
sumption, which has at last carried her to the
tomb. The Eews of her death only awakened him
from the delirium of intoxicaton. Since then,
only three days, he has become a sober man, and
voluntarily signed the Temperance pledge. But,
as you see, he is mere skeleton, ana cannot live
long"
"And it is supposed that she died from love-
that is, broken heart;"
There can be no doubt of the fact-for before
he became addicted to drink, few men could com
pare with him for beauty of countenance, or grace
and symmetry of form. But he had higher qualities
than those to recommend him. He had kind
and feeling heart--a noble and cultivated mind
polished manners-and was altogether a ripe
scholar. Poor Charles. better heart never
lhrobhed in a human breas''
"You interest me much in his fate. How came
such man to fall a victim TO intoxication, for |
cannot conceve?"
"By resorting 70 a fashionable hotel in Chest
nut street, in company with young men OF fashion,
members of a Club. Nothing is easier than to
contract habit even when that habit leads to
death and dishonor."
The funeral now moved, and. the two friends
walked arm in arm in the procession to the GENE
terry, wrapped in gloomy reflections on the ravages
of alcohol
"lt is sad catastrophe, indeed. How can a
man who has thus murdered girl that loved him
better than life, rest in his conscience! 1t is o
hard fate"
ITO Judge from his present agony, should moi
suppose he enjoyed any rest"
What age was she?"
"OnIy eighteen, and an only daughter"
"What deadly curse is this vice and its haunh
aud temples. How can Il civilized people tolerate
them? One would suppose a sense of common
danger would combine all good men in society tt
discountenance aud expel them"
The coffin had now reached the grave. A prayer
full of power and pathos from the attending cIer
gyman, struck deep emotion into the hearts of all
The reformed inebrale shook like leaf, as groan
and sobs burst from bis bosom, while two friend
could with difficulty support him. The servic
for the dead is at last ended. The coffin was low
cred through the rafting cords into the grave
wild scream broke from the nebrate who, dash
ing off his friends with frantic violence, flung him
selfno the grave, excIamng, "Oh, Maria Ma
rial"
Numbers rushed to his assistance, and wit
, some difficulty his insensbe body was drawn frol
:. the grave-but all started back with HORROR a
! one of his friends cried Qualifications God, h
is deadr'
" '"Poor Charles" said the benevolent clergy
man, a." what lesson have you left for the goo
] hearted, who yield from desire to please Other
to the insdous temptations of the unteeng Iibe
:, tine, who, under the shallow pretext of fashion
aIures to perdition, the weak, vain, and good nj
tured. "-Saturday american,