Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-03-18
ORIGINAL SKETCH.
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
MY UNCLE'S STORIES.
NUMBER THREE.
DY J. 4. c.

out; for we had blazing fire before us and
some of the best of cheer on sidcboard near
us. You would have cnvicd us, dear reader,
could you have seen us. We looked so cozy.
so perfectly satisfied with ourselves and with all
the world. Indeed, there are moments in every
mans life when he is, for the time, placed above
fortune, when he may safely defy fate. So i felt
Just at that particular moment. But just as we
had partaken Of some of the produce Of the best
vineyards Of France, in the form of Cognac,
observed a slight shade of sadness fit across my
Une9e's face. Knowing his generally genial
good humor, and that he could have no cause of
sadness in himself, expressed my curiosity to
know the reason.
"You very we'll know" said he, that am
not total abstinence man, that look upon all
who eschew entirely the use of wine and spirits
rs depriving themselves of a great pleasure.
But once witnessed scene that produced
upon me an impression so powerful that can
never forget it. Often as raise the glass to my
lips see that noble, but pale and sorrowful
face-I hear those hcart-rcnding sobs. But
will tell the story to you in regular order as il
happened.
was then living in the village Of Wa
place not remarkable for the number of its
drunkards, yet having enough to excite few
of the people of the place TO do something for
the cause of Temperance. 1t was during the
time of the great Washingtonian movement.
A society had been formed in our village: but
seeing that its progress was rather slow, they
determined to call to their aid some celebrated
temperance lecturer. Fortunately there was
one at that time in ncighboring Dstrict-one,
who, by his eloquent appeals, had perhaps done
more for the cause than any other living man.
To him they Immediately despatched a nresscn-
ger, who returned with answer that the lecturer
would be at W on a certain day tho cnsu-
ing week. Suitable preparations were imnc-
diately made by the society for his reception.
The place of meeting was decorated with
cyercreens in token of the evergreen vigor Of
cold watcr-men.
Preparations of different character were
made by very few of the other sort, (or there
are rowdies in all placcs,) but as you will see
their plans were not carried out.
The expected day came at length. The hall
was crowded at an early hour-long. before the
time appointed for the lecture: ior the occasion
was novel one. which was sufficient TO fiji the
house without the great fame Of the speaker.
Many different cmo.ions filled the minds of the
people. Some came snccringly, others to hear
something new and for amusement, others again
with real wish to take part in the good work, as
they deemed it.
But when the speaker made his appearance
when he arose and glanced round the assembly.
every conflicting emotion seemed stillcd III mo-
mcnt-every eye was turned upon him with the
most intense interest, not for his cause but for
himself. He was in truth the most n"blc-look-
ing man ever saw, but so pale, SO sad. lie
seemed like some fallen but rcpcntant angel,
striving to regain lis scat in Heaven. His
large, dark, lustrous eyes wcrcas 4 glass through
which YOU could see his soul. Il soul Of striving
and suffering evcrmore.
Indeed, I cannot accurately describe him. for
his appearance. his eloquonec produced so great
an impression upon me that any description
would seem to you like fancy sketch. Nor
can well describe his speech but never before
or since have l heard :. voice so touching. so
thrilling in its tones. Some few amusing incl
dents he told, but not many for as he said, he
had suffered too sharply from the fanss Of the
serpent to Jest with him now. But he used
arguments the most convincing, and cloquencc
the most thrilling to exhibit the evils Of excessive
indulgence in sprituous liquors and the blessings
of temperance.
There was no vitupcration, no abuse. no low
slang to throw contempt upon the drlnkcr: hui
an ardent ycarnng to raise him to the true dig
nitv of man. At length he spoke of himself,
for he said no arguments were so convincing as
those drawn from the experience OF. a drunkard,
and he had been one. lie had sacrificed friends,
he had sacrificed wealth and responsibility, he
had sacrificed his own scli-esccn at the shrine
of Bacchus, and he knew how bitter was the
portion of the drunkard.
Il was all pain and no plcasure-ah sacrifice
and no return but bitter disappointment and hu-
initiation. But moro than wealth, more than
station, more than the kind regard Of friends, he
had sacrificed.
"Once,n said he, Z" if ever an angel walked
the earth, there was one by my side. had a
wife who was morc to me than al the world,
vet her have lost and lost forever. After
causing her long years Of toll and suffering,
one night, in my impotcnt and drunken rage,
struck her to the earth Yet still would she
have clung to me, still would she have sought to
raise me from my degraded condition. But her
friends intcrfered, and justly, and rescued her
from my clutches, for they thought there was
no hope."-,
I" Long years of darkness followed-long
years of misery, more bitter if possible than any
before. At length awoke as from some terri
bic dream. will go forth, said, into another
part of the world and, by the grace of God, be
man again"
"God has assisted me-not in vain have I
called upon him--I can now look my fetow-man