The Columbian fountain., 1846-05-18
Noble little fellow, soliloquised the stran-


ger-yes, | will see this Benson, and i en-
treaty and persuasion can aught avail, he
shall be saved from the curse of intemne-
rance. lnsatiate fiend will snatch this
victim from thy grasp-Heaven aiding me,
and place him beyond the reach Of the Sc
ducng influence. Fell monstel-thy time
is short Soon will the gilded places rear
ed to the honor of this Moloch be disman-
tled-my countrymen are becoming sensi-
bic OF the danger they incur from the pre-
sence Of. this destructive agent among them,
and soon they will pass sentence of banish-
ment against the foul destroyer Of their
peace. May the time soon come, when not
distIllery shall rear its filthy walls toward
Heaven-when the stencil Of distillation
shall no more be known in the land. and
alcohol be ranked, and take its place among
the deadly poisons, upon the shelf of the
apothecary. These thoughts passed rapidly
through the mind Of the stranger, as he
passed onward to his dwelling. Elated with
the prospect Of doing good-glorying in the
cause Of temperance-the thought of his
being instrumental in saving one more fel-
low creatures from the drunkard's doom
OF restoring him to his family-of making
that family happy, of bringing them around
the family altar, and Of listening to thanks
givings and praise to Heaven from grateful
hearts--these thoughts bouyed him up
and with elastic step he passed along to his
residence, where, for the present, we will
leave him, and follow Charles Benson to
the home of his father.
CHAPTER II.
THE WHITE COTTAGE.
The residence of Charles Benson, SEN,
was IN pleasant street, or lane, as it was
called, in which was located the Academy
OF the town of T 1t was a neat two
story frame building, white as the driven
snow, with green window blinds, and
small yard in front, in which were growing
various fowers-shrubs and trees, taste
fully arranged, and which, added to the
cleanly appearance of the building itself,
made it pleasant TO look upon. 1t was OBJ
vlous to the beholder that the cuItivator Of
this little plot was no novice in the school
of Flora. But let US walk in.
That little girl who is seated at her
mothers feet is Clara Benson She is lis
tenlng to conversation between her father
and mother; and there, in the middle of
the floor, stands our young acquaintance,
Charles Benson, jr.
"You know, Charles, you promised me
you would never drink again. II is un-
worthy of you. Why will you not leave
off practice which causes you and all of
us so much sorrow and shame. Have the
resolution to say no, and all is well. |
was afraid, when you went out with James
Grandson, that he would induce you to
drink. That man will do you no good.
Incorporate himself, he delights to over
come the scruples of others, and tempt
them to their shame"
"Cease, Clara, feel all, and more than
you can say on this subject. have been
thirst for more is strong up
on me, and | verify believe | shall go mad
unless get it. You young scamp, who
did you say ran against you and caused
you to break the jug and spill the liquor"
"l could not help it, father He said he
was Son of Temperance, and as such
was bound to discourage the use Of every
thing that can iitoxicate."
Why you rascal, you have got it by
heart. Come here-answer me-are you
of your father ?"
Father, you know love you, but
when your eye glistens as now 1t does, and
you tremble 50, you frighten me-"
"Wife, what shall do fell as though
were going mad. Liquor Tmust and will
have. ] cannot now promise any thing,
wfe--do not ask me. | do not deserve
your conhdence-wouldl were oead
l. d.