Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-08-24
THE OLD MANS STORY.
A Thrilling sketch.

l shall never forget the commencement
of the temperance reformation !; was a
child at the time, of some ten years of
age Our home had every comfort, and
my parents idolized me their child
Wine was often on the table, and both my
father and mother frequently gave it to
me in the bottom of the glass.
One Sunday at church, a startling an
nouncement was made to our people. |
knew nothing of its purport, but there
was much whispering among the men
The pastor said on the next evening there
would be a meeting, and an address upon
the evils of intemperance in the use of
alcoholic drinks. He then expressed
mseIfiguorant of the object of the meet
inr, and could not say what course it
would be best to pursue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came up at
our table after the service, and l ques-
toned my father about it with all the Gu
rIous eagerness of child. The whis-
pers, 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. My
father merely said it was some scheme to
unite church and state.
The night came, and groups ofpeople
gathered on the tavern steps, and heard
the Jest and laugh, and saw drunken men
come reeling out of the bar room. [
urged my father to let me go, but he at
first refused. Finally, thinking that it
would be an innocent qualification of my
curiosity, he put on his hat and we pas
sed across the green to the church. |
remember we'll how the people appeared
as they came in, seeming to wonder what
kind of an exhibition was to come off.
In the corner was the tavern keeper
aud his friends For an hour the people
OF the place continued to come, in until
there was fair house full. All were
curiously watching at the door, wonder
ing what would appear next. The pas
tor stole in and took seat behind pill
lar under the gallery, as if doubtful Of
the propriety of being in the church at
all.
Two men finally came in and went to
the altar and took their seats. All eyes
were fixed upon them, and general still
ness prevaded throughout the room.
The men were unlike in their appear
ance, one being short, thick set in his
build, and the other tall and well formed
ed. The younger had the manner and
dress of clergyman, full round face,
ard a quiet, good natured look, as he
leisurely looked over the audience.
But my childish interest was all in the
old man. His broad, deep chest and m
usual height looked giant-like, as he
strobe slowly up the aisle. His hair WAS
white, his brow deeply seemed with fur
rows, and around his handsome mouth
lines and touching sadness. His eyes
were black and restless, and kindled as
the tavern keeper uttered low jest
aloud. His lips were compressed, and Il
crimson flush went and came over his
pale cheek. One arm was off above the
elbow, and there was q scar over his right
eye.
The younger finally arose and stated
the object of the meeting, and asked if
there was clergyman present to open
with prayer.
Our pastor kept hts seat, and the
speaker. himself made a short prayer, and
then made Il short address, at the con-
clusion, calling upon any one present to
make remarks. The pastor rose under
the gallery, and attacked the positions of
the speaker. using the arguments which
| have often heard since, and concluded
by denouncing those engaged in the new
movement as meddlesome fanatics who
wished to break up the time honored
usages of good society and injure the bu-
slncss OF respectable men. At the con-
clusion of his remarks, the tavern keep
er and his friends got up to 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 the 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 delicate
nostrils. To me at the time, there was
something awe-inspiring and grand in the
appearance of the old man as he stood
with his full eye upon the audience, his
teeth shut hard, and a silence like that of
death throughout the church.
lie bent his gaze upon the tavern
keeper, and that peculiar eye fingered
and kindled for half a moment.
The scar grew red upon his forehead,
and beneath the heavy eyebrows his
eyes gllttered aud glowed like serpent's.
The tavern keeper quailed before that
searching glance, and felt relieved when
the old man withdrew his gaze. For
moment he seemed lost in Thought. and
then in a low and tremulous tone com
menced' There was a depth in that