The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-06-16
Something about Adams fall--A Tenn
perance Anecdote.

A favorite temperance lecturer, "down
South" used to relate the following anec-
dote, TO illustrate the influence of q bad ex-
ample in the formation of habits, ruinous
in their effects: aa .t,Y. sg, Fe h.s..A
ADAM, and Mary, his wife, who lived
in one Of the old States, we're very good
members of the church, good sort of folks
any way, quite industrious and thriving
in the world, and Mary thought q great
deal of the minister, and the minister
thought great deal of glass Of tody.
Whenever, the minister called to make
Mary a visit, which was pretty often, she
contrived to have him glass of tody
made, and the minister never refused to
imbibe. After while Adam got to fol-
lowing the example of the minister to such
an extent that he became a drunkard---
drunk up every thing he had, and all he
could get. Mary and he became very
poor in consequence of his following the
minister's example so closely; but the
good minister continued his visits and poor
Mary continued still to give him glass
of tody. One day he called in and told
Mary that he was going away for week
should return on Friday-and handed
her book containing the catechism, and
told her when he returned he should ex-
pect her to be able to answer some of the
questions. Mary says, Eyes" and laid
away the book carefully. But Mary, like
good many other church members,
thought no more of her book until the We
ry Friday the good minister was to return.
What shall l do 7" says she, the min
lister is to be here to-day, and l havn't
looked into the book he gave me How
can | answer the questions r. 1.a sa
al can tell you," says Adam. "Give
me aquarter and let me 90 over to Smiths
and get some good rum, and you can an
swer his questions with glass of tody."
Mary took the advice-gave Adam the
quarter and jug. and off he started
After getting his bottle filled, and on his
way back, Adam concluded to taste the
rum. One taste followed another, until he
stumbled over pile of rocks and broke
the jug and lost all the rum. But Adam
managed to stagger home. .
Soon as he got into the house, Mary in
quired anxiously for the bottle Of rum.
Where is the bottle and rum, AdamF'
Poor Adam managed to stammer out
"that he stumbled over apple of rocks,
:nd broke the bottle and lost the rum."
q Mary was in fix--Adam drunk-Athe
minister coming--the rum gone, and the
questions unlearned.
But here comes the minister. II won't
do for the man of God to see Adam drunk" "
so she, for want Of n better place to hide,
sent him under the bed. BY the time he
was fairly under, in came the minister
After sitting few moments, he asks Ma
ry il she thought she could answer the
question, show did Adam fall n 'iSrs' .
Mary turned her head first one way and
then another finally shefstammered out,
He fell orer a pile of rocksF'
1t was now the minister's turn 10 look
blank; but he ventured another question
=" Where did he hide himself after the
fall =. 30 gla.aE8 .gFtas u .yz-Frg q
Mary looked at the minister, and then
at the bed, finally she out with it. v,, .
Under the bed, sir! There, Adam,
YOU may come out; he knows all about itIn
The good minister retired--not even
waiting for his glass Of tody.