Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-01-24
Original Story.
For the Des Moines Courier.
THE TWO CLASSMATES.
By MRS. MARY r. HALL.

William and Hervey were classmates.
Both wete reared amid affluence and re-
finement, and both enjoyed all that
wealth, or education can bestow. They
passed the joyous days of childhood
and youth together; and then separa-
ton took place between them. Years
passed on, ard the two friends had lost
all trace Of each other. s -. ....
William, was now man of talent and
influence; and though, from child, he
had been accustomed to drain the spark
ling cup at his fathers table; he haG now
broken away from the custom OF socie-
~ and become firm and decided teeto-
taller!
Ai.ired in the robe that designates Il
priest Of the Most High, he mounted
the sacred desk there TO declare the truths
of the everlasting gospel to the dying
fellow men; still, he did not overlook the
heaven-born, and heaven prospered cause
of Temperance, but be became power
full advocate in its behalf. "-.
AS he was passing through his native
country, on his heavenly mission Of love
Z and purity; he determined to visit pris-
on, which he would have TO pass. He
accordingly obtained permission, and
was conducted by the keeper into. this
gloomy abode. He passed on by the va
rious cells, where sat the doomed con.
vcts, bearing the testimony of their
guilt; shut on, from all the bright scenes
OF lile-the alTectionate embrace of flienGs,
and communion with their fellow men.
At length he stood in the presence Of a
man condemned to die, at time not far
distant! The unhappy wretch, whose
hands ant feet ciunked with shackles
that crime had bound around them; sat,
with his head almost resting upon his bo-
som, and not till the visitor was about
10 leave, did he raise his haggard eyes
and fix them upon him. Had an arrow
pierced the breast of William, the pain
could not have exceeded that which he
felt, when his eyes met those Of the un-
fortunate criminal! He was about 10
exclaim, "Hervey! and throw himself
upon his BOSOM; but the laws of the
prison forbade it, and altering groan,
that told how deep was the anguish of
his soul, he silently withdrew. After
an anxious enquiry, he learned the cause
h of the awful doom Of his friend. . ..
IIervey was an only child of pious
parents, and OF course all their fond
hopes .centcred in him. He was no.
ble, promising youth, and no pains
were spared to cultivate and expand his
high and aspiring mind. Like William.
he had always drank from the deluslvc
cup that sparkled at his fathers board;
4 but unlike him, did he permit the serpent
that lay concealed in the fatal draught to
coil around him close and still closer, and
still closer, and infuse into his system
,he poison issueing from its deadly fangs!
lie had learned TO love the unhallowed
cup, and what he could obtain at home,
did not satisfy the raging thirst that was
consuming him; il only served to beget a
desire for more, and in order to obtain it,
he soon found his way to the grog shop
where beings in human form stand, ever
ready to spread the alluring net, and draw
their unconscious victims imperceptibly,
into the fatal snare -
And thus it was in the case of Her
vey. Rumsellers greeted him with their
blandest smiles; honored him with their
politest bows, and took unwearied pains
TO treat him with the choicest liquor they
possessed. He was well educated and
talkative; with good share Of wit; thus
they loved his society. He always car.
ried well fll'd purse. and was extreme
ly generous withal; thus they praised his
generosity, and kept their eye upon the
numerous pieces Of shining coin, which
he at times displayed in their presence.
In short, they marked him for their vic
tim; and he proved one, to their hearts
content!
But we need not follow him through
the giddy maze, while in his downward
course. Suffice 1t, that he fell At lirsl
he returned home, only little excited;
but at leagth when he returned, intoxica.
ton, with all its fendlsh rayages upon
his face and form, was too indelibly
stamped to be mistaken. His father
now bowed his silvered head and wept
and his mother, shed hot and bitter tears
over her fallen son They at times
limited to him, that they feared he was