Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-03-28
IN MOURNING.

Bro. GeKMAN: The present is a rich age
for anecdotes, and most every circle Of life
has its variety. Adam and Mary, published
a few weeks ago in the Spirit Of the Age,
takes the Medal. | send you uncle Moses,
though not SO good, yet it is new, fOr1 am
sure It was never before given to the read
ing public.
Uncle Moses was an old man, and a great
stiekler for the old habits of fashionable
drinking. He frequently visited cousin
James, a near ~neighbOr, to enjoy bis hospi-
tality and to complete the soeiability of
those occasions, the old and dear acquain-
lance known by a hundred names, had to
be present on the board, and was seldom
ever sighted. In the absence Of one Of un-
Gle Moses visits, Cousin James declared
himself a Temperance man, sold cut his
stock Of brandy. and stopped the use of it
in his family. The sideboard cover, consis-
ting Of millinet and originally white, was
much sOiled by age and dust, and by way
Of improvement was died perfectly black
The next visit on a beautiful Spring morn.
ing, leaning on his staff, uncle Moses wal
recognized approaching the gate. Cousin
James received him ct the door, and as usu
al babe him in. After being seated a shor
time BY the fire, he so repeatedly drew hi
hands over the blaze, complained Of chillines
and 50 continued his intimations for the az
pearance Of the old acquaintance that cou,
in James was forced to explain-and r,
marked Since you were here last, III
Gle Moses, / have declined the use of spir
tous liquors altogether, and hope you wi
not feel sighted, for the fist time, by IL
absence Of the bottle" Uncle Noses car
fully listened, with one eye fixed upon a ce
tain quarter of the room, and with a count
nance Of confusion and disappointment, e
claimed Yes, cousin james, / thought som
thing was the matter, l see the sideboard
in mourning"
Uncle NJ. has long since passed away
the land Of silence, and if he now lived
witness the dropping and dying apple-c
chards, taverns, stores, groceries and sid
boards in general. all shrouded in de-
mourning, verify he would think the wor
was being turned upside down.
Permit me to add a few words for the g
~couragement Of the Sons of Temperance, a
indeed | might say every body-for Liqr
sellers, drinkers, and drunkards all feel
their hearts that the Temperance cause
right. whether they are saved or lost. G
Division, No. ia, was organized last 4
gust, with only eight members since VIII
ten left us and formed a new Division, q
still we number about twenty-five, with SO
accessiOns weekly. Our prosperity has
suited mostly through recent efforts. Sc
raj weeks ago we unanimously agreed to
proposition that when we adjourned,
would go out in pursuit of our neighb,
and by our zeal and love bring them in ;
the plan has not only succeeded thus
but will always to the entire accomplishn
Of the great object and aim Of the Sons
Temperance, the rescue and safety of all
/ feel no hesitation in hazarding the unq
fled assertion, that if the zeal on the
Of the members was proportionate with
Press, and Temperance Lecturers. W
are now doing nearly all that the work ",
be short and successful.
Yours in L. P. and +.
F. SCRIBE.
Sunsbury N. c., March 13, 1851.