Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-09-22
From the Cayuga chief.l
THE OLD MANS STORY.

was child at the time, of some ten
years of age. Our home had every
comfort, and my kind parents idolized
me, their child. Wine was often on the
table, and father and mother frequently
gave it to me in the bottom of the morn
ing glass.
| One Sunday at church startling an
nouncement was made to our people.
1 knew nothing of its purport, but
there was much whispering among the
men. The pastor said that on the next
evening there would be meeting, and
an address upon the evils of intemper-
anee 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 eagerness of child. The
whisper and words which had been
dropped in my hearing clothed the
whole affair with great mystery to
me, and was all eagerness to learn of
the strange thing. Ny father merely
said it was some scheme to unite church
and State
The night came, and groups of peo-
pie gathered on the tavern steps, and l
heard the Jest and laugh, and saw
drunken men come reeling out of the
bar-room. 1 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, aid we passed across the green
to the church. l well remember 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,
and around him a number of his
friends. For an hour the people of the
place continued to come in, till there
was a fair house full. All were curl
ously watching the door to see what
would appear next. The pastor stole
in, and took his seat behind pillar
under the gallery, as if doubtful of the
propriety of being in the church at all.
Two men finally came in and went
forward to the altar and took their seats.
All eyes were fixed upon them, and
general stiffness prevailed throughout
the house,
The men were unlike in appearance,
one being short, thick set in his build,
and the other tall and well formed
The younger had the manner and dress
of clergyman, full, round face, and
quiet, good natured look, as he leisur
ly looked around over the audience.
But my childish interest was in the
old man. His broad deep chest and
unusual height looked giant like, as he
strobe slowly up the aisle. His hair
was white, his brow deeply scanned with
burrows, and around his handsome
mouth. lines of calm and touching sad
ness. His eyes were black and restless,
and kindled as the tavern-keeper ut
tered low jest aloud. His lips were
compressed and crimson flush went
and came over his pale cheek. One
arm was off above the elbow, and there
was wide scar above the 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 address, at the conclusion, calling
upon any one present to make remarks.
The pastor arose under the gallery, and
attacked the positions of the speaker,
using arguments which l have often
heard since, and concluding by denounc-
ing those engaged in the new move
ment as meddlesome fanatics, who
wished to break up the time honored
usages of good society, and injure the
business of respectable people. At the
conclusion of his remarks, the tavern
keeper and his friends got up 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 breast swelling as he
inhaled his breath through his thin,
dilated nostrils. 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 eye upon the
audience, his teeth shut hard, and a
silence like that of death throughout
the church.
He 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 brows his eyes gilt
tered and glowed like serpent's. The
tavern keeper quailed before that
searching glance, and 1 felt a relief
when the old man withdrew his gaze.
For moment more he seemed lost in
thought, and then, in tremulous tones.
commenced. There was depth in his
voice, thrilling sweetness and pathos,
which rivited every heart in the church
before the first period had been rounded.
Ny fathers attention had become fixed
upon the eye of the speaker with an
interest / had never before seen him