The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-25
JOHN MORTON /:
OR, THE DANGER OF REPRESENTATION

said John Morton, as he parted with his
faithful friend, Henry Wilson, who had
been urging him to become C Brother OF
Temperance. Il will join you in rery
short time indeed, but just now cannot
allow you to propose me-"
John had Just arrived at the age of eigh-
teen, that period when so many young men,
the hope of fond mcthers' hearts fall into
the snares everywhere laid to entrap them,
that age when all seems bright and pleasant,
and when no thought of the future, except
as connected with unbounded anticipation
Of success and enjoyment, and hopes of
glory and renown, alas never to be real
lied, are permitted to intrude upon the pre-
sent, and interrupt its pleasures by the in
PRODUCTION of forebodings of evil, distant at
least, though certain they may be. He had
left the home of his childhood, parted with
the keenest sorrow from his fond and anxi-
Gus mother, and devoted and afectionate
sisters, to take up his residence in the city,
where he had obtained an excellent situa-
ton in wholesale store. His education
had been liberal, for though his widowed
mother was not wealthy, yet she possessed
sufficency, and had bestowed her means
with no sparing hand to procure for her on
ly and idolzed son, that which she con-
ceived to be of far greater value than wealth
or earthly ranks, and while all that science
could impart was his, she had implanted in
his youthful breast the germ of nobler ed
ucatlon, which was to be improved on time
and perfected in eternity, that of which the
volume of inspiration says that it is the be-
ginning Of 'oisdom..
Feeling though she did, that John pos
sessed correct principles, and knowing that
soul which could scorn a dishonorable act
was his, Mrs. Morton still could not but
fear for her son amidst the temptation and
snares TO which, in the city, he would be
exposed, and when she had pressed his
hand in parting, and imprinted kiss upon
his cheeks, the tear drops of agonizing ap-
prehension gushed, unbidden, forth, and, re-
firing to her chamber, she prostrated her
self in the presence of her God, and be-
sought His interposition to protect her che
rished idol from the temptations of his
new situation.
On arriving at the city, John, for some
time, lived in obedience TO the dictates of
religion and morality, and the fond heart of
his anxious mother was encouraged, as from
time to time she received from him letters
breathing spirit of religion, and informing
her of his rapid progress in overcoming the
difficulties encountered in his new sphere
of action, honestly did she hope that her
fears might prove chimercal, and that her
brightest hopes might be crowned with
glorious fulfment; but she was destined 10
a sad and bitter disappointment; little did
she think that when reposing in fancied Sc
curity, and indulging in day dreams of fu-
ture glory, for the child of her affection, that
the arrow had entered his soul, that fatal
thirst for liquid death was becoming his,
and that unconsciously, he had entered the
outer circle of the whirlpool, and was be-
ing borne upon its rapid and rushing tide,
TO inevitable destruction. Yet, so it was
Evil companions had encompassed him,
they had endeavored to seduce him with
honied words and soft expressions, from
the path of recttude and failing in this,
they had recourse to stratagem, they did
that by craft, which openly they dared not
attempt Only one glass of cordial was but
a small indulgence, and as it was only ne
cessary TO procure. it, that the back room
of splendid establishment, in which people
who never tasted aught that could intoxi-
cate are often seen, should be visited, is it
strange that our unsuspectlng and con6ding
youth, should fall into the habit of drink
ng2
L. -, ,,t,