The Washingtonian., 1845-07-05
FIFTEEN CENTS PER MONTH.
To this the Landlord made no reply. Mr..
Mildman continued

"But there is stronger view to be taken.
Suppose member of the human body is dis
eased-a limb, for instance, in partial state
Of notification. Here, there is reception of
life from the whole system into that limb, and
constant giving back of disease to the entire
body, and unless that body possesses extraor-
dinary vital energy, in the end destroys it In
like manner, if in the larger body there be one
member who takes share of life from the
whole, and gives back nothing but poisonous
principle, whose effect is disease and death,
surely he cannot be called good member
nor honest, nor honorable"
Sand pray, Mr.. Mildman," asked the tavern
keeper, with much warmth, "where will you
find in society such man as you describe"
The minister paused at this question, and
looked his companion steadily in the face.
Then raising his long thin finger 10 give force
to his remarks, he said, with deep emphasis
"Ihou art the man."
"Me, Mr.. Mildman Me-" exclaimed the
tavern keeper, in surprise and displeasure.
" You surely cannot be in earnest"
"I utter but solemn truth, Mr.. Muddler;
such is your position in society. You receive
food and clothing, comforts and luxuries of
various kinds for yourself and family, from the
social body, and what do you give back for all
these? A poison to steal away the health
and happiness Of that social body. You are
far worse than perfect dead member! You
exist upon the great body as moral gangrene!
Reflect upon this subject. Go home, and in
the silence of your own chamber, enter into
unimpassoned and solemn communion with
your heart. Be honest with yourself Ex-
clude the bias of selfish feeling, and selfish in
terest, and honestly define to yourself your
true position"
"But, Mr.. Mildman-"
The two men had paused nearly in front of
Nh. Muddler's splendid establishment, and
were standing there when the tavern keeper
commenced reply to the minister's last re-
marks. He had uttered but the first word or
two, when he was interruptedby a pale, thiniy
dressed female, who held a little girl by the
hand. She came up before him, and looked
him steadily in the face for moment or two.
"Mr. Muddler, believe" she said.
eyes, madam, that is my mame," was his
reply.
"I have come, Mr.. Muddler," the woman
then said, with an effort to smile and affect
polite air, to thank you for a present | re-
ceived last night"
"Thank me, madam! There certainly
must be some mistake. | never made you a
present. Indeed, have not the pleasure of
your acquaintance"
"You said your name was Muddler, / be-
| lieve?"
"Yes, madam, as told you before, that is
my name"
"Then you arc the man. You made my
little girl here present also, and we have
both come with our thanks"
"You deal in riddles, madam. Speak out
plainly"
GAS I said BEFORE" the woman replied,
with bitter irony in her tones, 81 have come
with my little girl, to thank you for that pre-.
sent we received last night. A present of
wretchedness and abuse"
"I'm still as far from understanding you as
ever" the tavern keeper said-''I never abused
you, madam. / do not even know YOU"
"But you know my husband, sir! You
have entced him to your bar, and for his money
have given him a poison that has changed
him from one of the best and kindest of men,
into demon. To you, then, owe all the
wretchedness | have suffered, and the brutal
treatment I shared with my helpless children
last night. 1t is for this that have come to
thank you."
"Surely, Madam, you must be beside your
SELF have nothing to do with your hus-
band"
"Nothing to do with him" the woman
exclaimed in an exciting tone. "Would to
Heaven that it were so! Before you opened
your accursed gin palace, he was sober man,
and the best and the kindest of husbands-but,
enticed by you-your display of fancy drinks
he was tempted within the charmed circle of
YOUR bar-room. From that moment began his
downfall, and now he is lost to seltcontrol-
lost to humanity"
As the woman said this, she burst into
tears, and then turned and walked slowly
away.
"To that painful illustration to what ! have
said," the minister remarked, as the two stood
once more alone, 81 have nothing to add.
Mo-, tho IeSson sink doap into vour heart