Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-02-25
From the Cayuga Chief
THE OLD MANS STORY. .r
A THRILLING SKETCH.

at the time, of some ten years of age. Our
home had every comfort, and my parents
idolized me their child. Wine was often Oh
the table, and both my father and mother
frequently gave it to me in the bottom ofthe
morning glass.
One Sunday at church, startling an
nouncement was made to our people.
knew nothing of its purpor, but there was
much whispering among the men. The pas
tor said that on the next evening there would
be meeting, and an address upon the evils
of incompetence in the use Of alchoholic
drinks. He expressed himself ignorant OF
the object of the meeting, and could no: say
what course it would he best opursue in the
matter,
The subject of the meeting came up at
our table after the service, and | questioned
my father about it with all the curious ca
gerness Of child. The whispers, and words
which had been dropped in my hearing,
clothed the whole affair with a great mystery
to me, and was all eagerness to learn the
strange thing Ny father merely said it was
some scheme to unite church and state.
The night came, and groups Of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and l heard the
jest and the laugh, and saw drunken men
come rcel.ng out Of the bar-room. | urged
my father to let me go, but he at first retus-
ed. Finally, thinking that it would be an
innocent qualification of my curiosity, he put
on his hat and we passed across the green to
the church. | remember well how the peo-
pie appeared as they came in, seeming to
wonder what kind of an exhibition was to
come off.
In the corner was the tavern keeper, and
around him a number Of friends For an
hour the people Of the place continued to
como in, until there was a fair house full
All were curiously watching at the door, Won
dering what would appear next. The pas
tor stole in, and took seat behind pillar
under the gallery as if doubtful of the pro
priety of being in church at all.
Two men finally came in and went to the
alter and took their seats. All eyes were
fixed upon them, and general stiffness per
yaded throughout the house.
The men were unlike in appearance, one
being short, thick set in his build, the other
tall and we'll formed The younger had the
manner and dress of clergyman, full
round face, and a quiet good natured look,
as he leisurely looked around over the audi
ence.
But my childish interest WAS all in the old
man. His broad deep chest and unusual
hight, looked giant like as he strobe slowly
up the aisle. His hair was white, bis brow
deeply scanned with burrows, and around his
handsome mouth, lines of calm and touch
ing sadness. His eye was black and restless
and kindled as the tavern keeper uttered a
low Jest aloud. His lips We're compressed,
and crimson flush went and came over his
pale cheek. One arm was off above the ell
bow, and there was a wide scar over his right
eye.
The Younger finally arose and stated the
object of the meeting, and asked if there was
a Clergyman present to open it with prayer.
Our pastor kept his seat, and the speaker
himself made q short prayer, and then made
short address, al the conclusion calling up
on any one present to make remarks. The
pastor rose under the gallery, and attacked
the positions Of the speaker, using the argu-
ments which have often heard since, and
concluding by dcnouncing those engaged in
the new movement, as meddlesome fanatics,
who wished to break up the time-honored
usages Of good society, and injure the bust
ness Of respectable. At the conclusion of
his remarks, the tavern keeper and his friends
got ny cheer, and the current Of feeling
was evidently against the strangers and their
plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the old
man had fixed his dark eye upon him, and
leaned forward as if to catch every word.
As tbs pastor took his seat, the old man
arose, his tall form towering in its symmetry,
and his chest swelling as he inhaled his
breath through his thin, diIated nostriIs. To
me. at that time, there was something awe
inspiring and grand in the appearance Of the
old man as he stood with his full eve upon
the audience, his teeth shut hard, and a ST
Ienoe ike that of death throughout the
church
He bent his gaze upon the tavern keeper.
and that peculiar eye fingered and kindled
for half moment The scar grew red upon
his forehead and beneath the heavy eybrows
his eyes gltterel and elowcl Ike serpent's.
The tavern keeper quailed before that search
ing glance, and telt 4 relief when the old
man withdrew his gaze. For a moment
he seemed lost in thought, and then in low
and trcmulous tones commenced. There was
a depth in that voice, thrilling pathos and
sweetness which riveted every heart in the
before the first period had been rounded
Ny fathers attentinn had become fixed on
the eve of the speaker with an interest which
| had never before seen him exhibit. | can
but briefly remember the substance of what
the old man said, though the scene is as viz
id before me, as any that | ever witnessed.
NV friends. | am a stran tcr in Your
village, and trust may call you friends
\ new star has arisen, and there is hope in
the dark night which hangs like pail of
gloom over our country" With thrilling
depth Of voice, the speaker locked his hands
together and continued-"Oh. God, thou
who lookest with compassion upon the most
erring Of earth's children thank thee that
brazen serpent has been lifted, upon which
the drunkard can look and be healed; that a
beacon has burst out upon the darkness that
surrounds him, which shall guide back to
honor and heaven. the bruised and weary