Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-09-13
AN STORY.

AN AEEECIlNG SUM.
The following touching story has been rela-
ted to us concerning a gentleman of high STAN
ding, now a member Of our Order in this State.
Though a man of the finest intellect and most
noble and generous impulses, he had become
addicted to frequent rotations of the +" fire wa
ter" and had descended far Town the road to
ruin. He had been again and again impor-
tuned by his friends to send in his petition for
admission as a Son of Temperance, but to all
their opportunities he made but the one re-
ply-that it was useless for him to try to re-
form-his case was hopeless-he must die al
drunkard. Yes, the man of genius, with all
his pride of intellect and lofty ability, felt so
immovably fixed III his downward career, that
he frankly confessed, that he had become such
a slave to appetite and habit, that he was to-
tally unable to break the calling chains that
bound him to the destroying cup. In vain
were those pointed to him who had been re-
deemed through the kind influences of Love,
Purity and Fidelity'-in vain was he told of
the efficacy of our Order to "succor and to
save" all who would test its renovating inhuen-
ces his constant reply was" Others it may,
me, it cannot save"
Seated in his office one morning after a
nights dehauch, lis little daughter, a golden
haired child of some eight or ten years, came
skipping and jumping to him over the dewy
lawn, and with a c~ountenance ali lit up with
tho s,,DSb;na of homo a1d Dro1,;So chm axcla;Dn-
ed, as she reached the threshold of the door
"Oh, Pa! DR.. - has joined the Sons of Tenn
perance, and is going to be sober, and not drink
any more of that nasty stuff that makes him so
, naughty at home-now, Pa, won't you join that
| pretty white-collared company, and quit drink
l ing, like DR.. ? Won't you, Pa? o!
Pa, won't you? Won't you, Pa?"-and she
continued pressing the important interrogatory
home upon him, until he was compelled to end
her from his presence, with the promise that he
= would I" see about it"
e After he had dismissed his little daughter
e the strong mar melted down into humility and
o ESTABLISHMENT deep contrtion took hold upon
r him, as the sombre recollections of tho pas
$ rushed in fearful fury across his mind. Feel
ings, such as he had never experienced before
h now took possession of him, and he was absorb
ed in deep and melancholy reflection until din
ner was announced. He did not approach the
! s~ide-board, as was his custom, to take his usua
a glass before dining, but quietly seated himsel
at the table, evidently engaged in deep media
D ton. The little lecturer at once began the as
sault again-"O! won't yon, Pa? DOeto
- is going to be such a nice man now, AM
in be a good Temperance man-and won't yol
J. too, Pa ?-won't you, Pa ?"-and the little an
gel continued her opportunities, as she climbe
Of upon his knee, until the father, filed with c
motion, replied Yes, my daughter, IN try !
of " o! if you try, you WILL know if ing P
tries, he wnL-won't he, Ma?"-and she spe
to her mother, to kiss away a falling tear. eye,
my child, if your Pa will, he may" said tn
l. halfdoubting, halfhoping mother. "Yes, an
or WILL" insisted the confiding child.
=, From that moment, the father has since sale
he felt inspired with a confidence he had ne
re known before. The undoubtng firmness wit
We "hlOh AK SA4Ao AAASiotCu upOh lit oDAhAty u III
father to perform that which he himself que
bo toned, liked his determination to make the e
fort and ere the week closed, he entered tn;
4" circle of honor, where each is a shield to tn
other, and all to the world an example AN
after making the solemn vow of total abstinence
to he exclaimed in the Division Room" Go
re help me to keep that promise I"
nd Two years have elapsed since this affectir
We incident occurred-and the answering fdel
lp- ty with which he has adhered TO his obIigatio
se give assurance that that heartfelt eiaculatic
it, was registered in Heaven-and that the lit
1c- girl was not mistaken when she said, Z" If ]
at tries, he WILL" The father narrates the CT
is -cumstancesc connected with this thrillingly i
/ a t~eresting and truthful incident, with emotions
&c. delight and gratitude, and points with pride
lit little LAURA, as the Temperance Lecturer til
MI SAVED him
CONGRESSIONAL.