Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-22
THE DRUNKARD's BIBLE

n ~ n n 4 II ~ 81 b +.
''Mr. President" said a short, stout
man, with a good humored countenancc,
and t1orid complexion, rising as the last
speaker took his seat have been a
tavern-ketper."
At this announcement there was
movement through the whole room, and
an expression of increased interest. "Ycs,
Mr.. President" he went on, Il have
been tavcrn-keeper, and many glass
have sold to you and to the Secretary
here, and to dozens of others that | see
here"-glancing around upon the COM
pany.
"That'S fact" broke in tie President
many gin toddy and brandy punch
have taken at your bar. But times are
changed now, and we have begun to car
ry the war right into the enemy's camp.
And our war has not been unsuccessful,
for we have taken prisoner one of the
rum-seller's bravest generals. But 90
on friend W, let us have your expe-
rience"
CAS- to my experience, Mr.. President"
the ex-tavern-keeper resumed, :" in rum
selling and drinking g-for | have
done a good deal of both in my day
that would be rather too long a story to
tell tonight, and one that | had much
rather forget than relate. 1t makes me
trcmble and sick at heart, whenever [
look back on the evil | have done. |
therefore usually look ahead with the
hope Of doing some good to my fellow
men.
"But thereis one incident that I will re-
late. For the last five years hard work
ing mechanic, with a wife and several
small children, came regularly, almost
every night, to my tavern, and spent the
evening in the bar-room. He came to
drink, ofcourse, and many dollar of his
hard earnings went into my till. At last
he became a perfect sot-working scarce
ly one fourth Of the time, and spending
all he earned in liquor. His poor wife
had to take in washing to support herself
and children, while he spent his time,
and the little he could earn at nv bar.
But his appetite for liquor was so strong,
that his week s earnings were usually all
gone by Tuesday or Wednesday, and
then [ had to chalk up score against
him, to be paid off when Saturday night
came. The score gradually increased, ,.ua-
til it amounted to th. e or four dollars,
overhis regular Saturday night pay when
when Ireiused to sell him any more liquor
until it was settled. On the day after had
refused to sell him, he came in with neat
mourning breast pin, enclosing some hair
no doubt, | thought of deceased rela-
tive. This he offered in payment of what
he owed. | accepted it, for the pin |
saw at once was worth double the amount
of my bill. | did not think, indeed care,
about the question, whether he was the
owner or not: wanted my own, and in
my selfish eagerness to get my own, l
hesitated not to take little more than
my own.
81 laid the breastpin away, and all
things went on smoothly for while
But he gradually got behind again. and
again | cut off the supply of liquor. This
time he brought me pair of brass andi-
rons, and pair of brass candlesticks. [
took them and wiped off the score against
him. At last he brought large family
Bible, and took that thinking. no
uouDl, CCulu Scll IL lOT SOlilttHluS.
On the Sunday afterwards; having moth
ing to do-for [ used to shut up my bar
on Sunday, thinking it was not respectable
to sell liquor on that day opened this
poor drunkard's family Bible, scarcely
thinking of what l was doing. The first
place that / turned to was the family rec
ord. There it was stated that on GER
tain day he had been married to Emily
--, had known Emily when [ was
young man very well, and had once
thought seriously of offering myself to
her in marriage. remembered her hap
py young face, and suddenly seemed to
hear the tone of her merry laughter.
''Poor creature :" sighed involuntarily
as thought of her present condition
crossed my mind-and then with no
pleasant feelings l turned over the next
| leaf. There was the record of the birth