The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-01-18

Franklin, there's to be a temperance meeting
over at Marion Hall. Don't you want to hear
the speaking S..s
aNo:I believe not, was answered indifferent
ly. aIbayelfttle fancy for such things
"Sturgess is in tow, and, am told will
-a,s,se ssss-sss-ii;s asi al. 4 aress. z
"I1hears him once, and That was s,--eeaaasaagh
for me. 9 9 replied Parker. Hes a cold water
fanatic.p
This was s;id in a group Of half a dozen men,
most ofssWhoa1 were strangers tosP Parker: Some,
of these slooked at each other with knowing.
chances. Here separation took place, and the
different parties moved away
al think you had better SO. with nle sad aud
Parker's friend, VINO still kept in his company.
eff Sturgess is little nthusastic in the cause
he is yet a very interesting speaker. eEhaps'
he may say something thattH lset even q you to
thinking"
am not a drunkard. = retnrned Parker
"No; still, YOU are not ond the reach of
danger. No man IS, y hos daily gratiies g desire
for glass of brandy - s. =
"Don't YOU thinksI could do without it 3"
"Ccrtainlv; youseould do without it noaps s's
"Why do you say aoao SO ennphatically s''ss3ss
"Now, means at the present time.
"Wellr' s - g. ~
al cannot speaksfo for the future. y on are not.
ignorant of the power of habitts
"Upon my word you are complimentary.
Then YOU really think me in danger of becoming g
drunkardr'
Every young man, who takes daily g glass
of brandy, is in that danger. - ss; s
"You really think SO ?!"s
"Most assuredlyl How are drunkards made !!
You know the process as well as I do. Every
MIGHTY river has its beginnips in a scarcely mo-
ticed stream. Ask the most hesntted =inebriate-
for the history Of his fall, and you will find a
part of that history running parallel with your
own at the present time. !"
"You are serious, as Ilive," said Parker, fore a
ing smile"
otis hardly matter of jest Bnt, come!
Go with me TO hear this cold water fanatic, as
Won call him. You have no other engagement
for the evening. Now, that your thoughts have
been turned upon the subject of a daily glass OF
brandy. it may be as we'll for you to hear some
thino further as to the consequences Of such a
habit A wise mai, forseeth the eIl and hideth
himself"
aBut the fool-wly ysdon't you finish the quo
tation, Franklin e !, I,
aThat.is needless Its application you fully
understand. You will go with nea
Twill, as you seem so earnest about the me- mat,
ter"
And so Parker went to Marion Hall, which
he found crowded. After some difficulty IN pro-
curing seat, he made out to git ore very near
to the platform, upon which was seated the pres
ident and secretary of one Of the temperance as
sociations in the place, with two or three Others
who were to act as speakers. One of these lat
ter was man past the prime of life. His hair
was thin and gray, and his face lean and with
cred; but his dark, restless eyes. showed that
within was an active mind and quick feelings
This was Sturgess, the individual before referred
to. After the usual premnares, necessary on.
such occasions, he arose to address the meeting
For some time, he stood with his eyes moving
through the audience. All was hushed to pro-
found silence and there was breathless expec-
tation throughout the room. The speakers usu-
al style was impuLive. He was more given to
defamation than argument; generally carrying
his hearers with him by the force of strong en-
thusiasm.
"Mv friends" he at length said, in low, sub
dued, vet thrillipgIy distinct voice. His manner,
to those who had before listened to him, was so
different from what was expected, that they ielt
double interest in the speaker, and bent for
ward, eager to catch every word.
"My friends" he repeated, "a little over half
an hour ago, an incident occurred which has so
checked the current Of my thoughts and feelings,
that find myself in state fitted for the seelu-
sion of my chamber, than for public speaking.
1t a weakness I know; but even the best OF OF
us arc not all times able to rise above our weak
ncsses. was conversing with friend In the
midst of group of men, some ofwhom were
unknown to me, when one of the latter proposed
to an acquaintance, whom he called by name,
an attendance upon this meeting. Il have no
fancy for such things was answered. : Sturges
is to speak, was advanced as an argument
He's cold water fanatic said the young man,
with sneer."
There was the most perfect stiffness through
out the room. All eyes was fixed upon Sturgess,
whose low, suhdued tone ofvoice, SO unusual for
him. made marked impression on the audience
lie stood for some moments again silent, his eye
searching everywhere.
elf" he resumed in the same low, halfsad
impressive voice, "that young man were here
tonight, would feel it duty, as well as priv
iIege, to tell him why have become what he
calls cold water fanatic, why let forth my
whole soul II this cause, why am at times over
enthusiastic. and why am probably, little in