Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-08-20
\ Tbrilline 5kctt).
THE OLD MANS STORY.

l snail never forget me commencement
of the temperance reformation | was
child at the time, Of some ten years of age.
Our home had every comfort, and my pa
rents idolized me their child. Wine was
often on the table, and both my father and
mother frequently gave it TO me in the bot
tom of my morning 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 meeting, and an address upon the evils
Of intemperance in the use of alcoholic
drinks. He expressed himself ignorant Of
the object Of the meeting, 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 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
great mystery to me, and l was all eager
ness to learn the strange thing. My 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 | heard
the jests aud the 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 passed across the
green 10 the church. | remember well
how the people appeared as they came in,
seeming 10 wonder what kind OF an exhl-
bltion was to come off.
In the corner was the tavern keeper,
and around him number of 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 wondering what would appear next.
The pastor stole IN ana took a seat behind
pillar under the gallery as if doubtful Of
the propriety of being in church at all.
Two men finally came in and went to
the altar and took their seats. A eyes
We're fixed upon them, and general stili-
ness pervaded throughout the room.
The meu were unlike in appearance,
one being short, thick set in his build the
other tall and well formed. The younger
had the manner and dress of a clergyman
a full round face, and a quiet, good natured
look, as he leisurely looked around over
the audience.
But my childish interest was all in the
old man. His broad, deep chest, and unu-
sual height, looked giant-like as he strobe
slowly up the aisle. His hair was white
his brow deeply scanned with furrows, and
around his handsome mouth, lines of calm
and touching sadness. His eye was black
and restless, and kindled as the tavern
keeper uttered low Jest aloud. His lips
were compressed and a crimson flush wen
and came over his pale cheek. One arm
was off above the elbow, 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 clergyman present to open it with
prayer.
Our pastor kept his seat, and the speaker
himself made a short prayer, and ther
made a short address, at the conclusion
calling upon any one present to make re-
marks. The pastor arose under the gallery
and attacked the positions OF the speaker
using the arguments which | have otter
heard since, and concluded by denouncins
those engaged in the new movement a
meddesome fanatics, who wished to breal
up the time-honored usages of good socie
ty, and injure the business of respectabl
men. At the conclusion of his remarks
the tavern keeper and his friends got up
cheer, and the current of feeling was evi
IDENTIFY against the strangers and their plar
While the pastor was speaking, the oil
man had fixed his dark eye upon him, an
leaned forward as if to catch every word.
As the pastor took his seat the old ma
rose, his tall form towering in ITS symmetr
and his chest swelling as he inhaled b
breath through his dilated nostrils. To M
at that time, there was something awe-lr
spring and grand in the appearance OF tn
old man as he stood with his full eye uPc
: the audience, his teeth shut hard, and
lence like tina. of death throughout Il
church,