The Columbian fountain., 1846-09-03
Rev. J. I. WARD. Assistant Editor.
PRICE ONE CENT.

dreams! iga aW9lstcai4 et elnsH7 ss
But with all her charms and gracs, Mary
was imperfect in one respect-she had one
prevailing fault-but that fault was the error
of omission, not commission; it tarose from
thoughtlessness, or rather want of the pro-
per exercise of the high toned faculties with
which kind providence had endowed her.
She neither properly understood nor en-
ercised the influence of soomdn in her true
capacity Like many silly young girl, she
argued that woman had little or no influence
over the actions and destinies of the sterner
sex! / say argued--because no sensible
woman, untainted with affeciation, can be
so blind to the truths OF real life as to really
believe such dangerous doctrine; but many
commence arguing for the sake Of effect
until they really convince their better judg-
ment and then practice upon the false prin-
ciple thus wantonly forced upon the mind.
Thus it was with Mary She was ia
practical teetotaler; but refused to sign the
Temperance Pledge, because, as she said,
she had no influence, and it was therefore
unnecessary ...3q l,,e stassgg{tfs
Strange and fallacious as this mode of
reasoning may appear to the intelligent read
er, it is nevertheless very prevalent among
a certain class Of young ladies', They talk
in favour of of temperance-attend temper
ance meetings, and never allow the spark
ling wine cup to kiss their pretty pouting
lips! but ask them for the influence Of their
names, and they soon tell US that they have
no influence and there is no necessity for
them to do that which they already practice
We ask all such to bear with US while we
relate simple and unpublished tale of truth,
When Mary Gibson entered on her twen-
tieth wear, in all the loveliness Of full blown
womarhood, she was in love. Hers was
holy and tender passion-the full and
unrestrained out-pourings Of pure confld-
ing heart The object Of her affections was
evidently worthy ofall that could be be-
slowed upon him, at the time he won her
affections and gained the promise ofherhand,
Like all young men, however, ne was a
lfallible, creature, and surrounded by the
temptations Of the age-the strongest and
most ruinous of which is fashionable, mode-
rate drinking; the modern Apollyon Of virtue
and joy. a. a s5g -.
James Willis was noble and generous
hearted young man, and his love for Mary
W as constant, unbounded and unchanging.
HI, pursued an honorable and lucrative ayo-
cation, and the highest of his ambition
seemed to be centered in becoming the
husband Of Mary Gibson! #'#
1t was on the same evening on which
James learned from his own dear Marys
lips that his affection for her we recipro-
Gated, that he took the first glass. Retur-
ming from her side, with glad heart and a
buoyant step, on his homeward way ne
was met by number Of his gay friends,
the companions of his early school-boy
days, and they proposed to drop into
neig ghboring hotel and enjoy social glass
of wine. James, elated with bright hopes
of future bliss and happiness, in an evil
! hour, consented. From that, / date the
downfall of James Willis. That first 6 in
no cent glass" paved the way fora second,
the second for third-until he finally be-
cam. a confirmed moderote drinker, His
cours. did not detract from the respectable
tv of his standing in society, because ne
was then only indulging in the fashionable
usages Of A'oclety.
Although James still became more and
more confrm ed in his habits Of tppling,
there was still one avenue left open by
which he could be saved from the fearful
doom that awaits, the drunkard.
That avenue was the love he cherished
for Mary. He loved her too fondly, too
de voledly, to deny her any reasonable re-
quest. Woman, it may truly be said, has
at her command the destiny, for veal or woe,
of the man by whom she is truly loved if
she will only exercise her angelic power in
a pr,per manner and in due season. BY
the magic power of gentle persuasion wnat
can lovely woman not accomplish-wha,
e-,1isposition to error and crime will her
entire aties not remove! what stain of vice
and immortality will the sacred fountain of
her te ars not wash away Oh, woman how
perfec ty do you understand the moral res
possibility that rests upon you Are you
not aw are that you possess the power OF
reclaiming fallen host from moral degraoa-
! tion9 re@r
Mary heard of James drinking haol's-
her friends advisedher to demonstrate agai"s'
it before he became confirmed IN d'sslPauou.
She did so, he told her that he dld no' o',nn n,,
because he was fond Of the beverages o.' m
merely as an innocent social pleas ure anu " V
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