Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-12-15

irpl presented itself, ] requested permission
10 be heard, which was readily granted.
When | stood up 10 relate my story, | was
invited TO the stand, 10 which ] repaired; and
on turning my face 10 the audience, | recog-
nized my acquaintance who had asked me to
sign. Ii was Mr.. Joel Sirst,on. He greet
cd me with a smile Of appreciation, which
nerved aud strengihed me Tor SO great a task,
az | ttcmblingly observed every eye fixed up
on me. lifted my quivering hand and then
and there told what rum had done FOR me. ]
related how | was once respectable and hap
nv. aud had a home; but shat ! was now a
houseless, miserable, scathed, diseased and
blighted outcast from society. ! said, scarce
a hore remained TO me Of ever becoming that
which | once was but having promised TO
sign the pledge | had determined not to break
ny word, and would nov afiS my name to
it,. In my palsied hand ! with much difficult
" grasped the pen, and in characters almost
as crooked as those Of old Stephen Hopkins,
I signed the total abstinence pledge, and re-
solved 10 free myself from the intoxicating
tyrant-rum.
Although still depending and hopeless, |
felt that was relieved from a part Of my hea-
w load. 1t was not because | deemed there
was any supernatural power in the pledge,
III nOblu ~ wv oEalA lllN
into such depths of woe as ] had already be-
come acquainted with, but the feeling Of re-
lief arose from the honest desire | entertain
cd 10 keep a good resolution. had exerted
a moral power, which had long remained ly-
ing by, perfectly useless. The very idea Of
what | had done, strengthened and encoura-
ged me. Nor was this the only impulse gil
ven to me to proceed in my new pathway;
for many who witnessed my signing, and
heard my simple statement, came forward
kindly, grasped my hand, and expressed their
satisfaction at the step | had taken. A new
and better day seemed 10 have dawned upon
me.
As | left the hall, agitated and enervated,
| remember chuckling TO myself, with a great
degree Of qualification, Il have done i'll
have done it, There was a degree Of plea
sure in having put my foot on the head OF The
tyrant who had so long led me captive at his
will but though ] had 'scotched the snake,
| had not killed him, for every inch of his
frame was full of venomous vitality, and felt
that all my caution was necessary to prevent
bis singing me afresh.
went home, retired to bed, but in vain
did ! Try 10 sleep. | pondered upon the step
! had taken, and passed a restless night
Knowing that | had voluntarily renowned
drink, ] endeavored to support my suiferings,
and resist the incessant craving of my remorse-
less appetite as well as ! could but the strug-
gle to overcome it was unexpectedly painful.
When ! got up in the morning, my brain
seemed as though it would burst with the in
of its agony, my throat appeared as
it were on fire, and in my stomach |
experienced a dreadful burning sensation, as
if the fires of the pit had been kindled there.
My hands trembled SO, that to raise water TO
my feverish lips was almost Impossible.
craved, literally gasped, for my accustomed
and felt that ! should die il | did
not have it; but ! persevered in my resolve,
and withstood the temptations which assailed
me on every hand. =
Sill, during all this frigh,ful time, | expe-
rienced a feeling somewhat akin 10 ~satisfac-
ton, at the position | had taken. i had made
at least, one step towards reformation. be-
gan 10 think that il was barely possible that
! might see better days, and once more hold
up my head in society. Such feelings as
these would alternate with gloomy forebod-
ings, and chick coming %fancies,' with sp-
preaching i'll. AT one lime hope, and al an
other fear, would predominant; but the rag
ing, dreadful, continued thirst was always
present, TO torture and torment me.
After breakfast, | proceeded 10 the shop
where was employed, feeling dreadfully III.
| determined, however, 10 put a bold face up
on the matter, and in spite OF the cloud which
seemed TO hang over me, TO attempt work. |
was exceedingly weak-fancied as ] most
reeled about the shop, that every eye was fix
ed upon me suspiciously, although exeFted
myself to the utmost to conceal my agitation.
How ! got through that day, ] cannot now
tell, but its length seemed lnterminable, and
as if it never would come TO an end. | felt
! was undeserving Of confidence after ! had
so often broken my promises Of amendment;
but | determined to make another effort 10
procure the respect of my employers, and 60
ing 10 one Of the gentlemen in the shop, | in
formed him that | had signed the pledge.
He looked very earnestly at me, and said,
i know you have
And | added, Il mean TO keep it,
so they say he replied, and ! hope you
will
AS he spake doubtingly, | reiterated my
determination 10 abide by the resolution ! had
made, never more to touch The intoxicating
liquor, and said 10 him, you have no conf
dence in me, sir
None whatever he replied, : but | hope
! you will keep your PLEDGE
] turned 10 my work again, saddened in
mind but subdued in spirit; for the converse.
ton had just held with my employer show
ed me how low had sunk in the estimation
OF prudent and sober minded men.
Whilst brooding over my misfortunes, /
heard my name mentioned, and turning round
saw a gentleman who had entered unobserv-
ed by me. He said, good morning, Mr..
Cough. ! was very glad to see you take the
position you did last night, and SO were ma
ny Of our temperance friends. 1t is Just such
men as you that we want, and | have no doubt
but that you will be the means of doing the
cause a great deal Of good.'
This greatly encouraged me, and the gen.
tleman, whose name was Jesse w. Goodrich.
then and now Practicing as an attorney and
counsellor at law at Worcester, added In a
very kindly tone, My office is in the Ex-