The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-11-25
The Temptation.
~ Nay MEADOws.

der."-PRovERR. E&F
0Mary, he stands upon a fearful brink, h
said Edith Werner, as she clasped the
hand of her friend. 81 cannot calmly
see him pursue the downward path,
without one word from you to check
him in his career"
"Why, Edith, how serious you are" !"
said Mary Ellis, with a light laugh.
oWhat effect would all | can say have
upon him and besides, ! apprehend no
danger in his taking little generous
wine.n -n g8I IfN|.
ale who raises the wine.cup TO his
lips once" said Edith, solemnly, "is in
danger. However cautiously he treads
that may path, he will find singing
serpent amid the flowers" ".u1
dCould You bear to see him going the
way Of the inebriate, and at last lying in
the drunkard's loathsome grave! Oh I!
| Mary, think seriously Of these things be-
fore It is too late. "4
"lf could see the peril you fear,
Edith, | confess it would give me great
sorrow; but no, said, Mary, with ami
nation, che will never debase his noble
intellect in inebriety. He is too gener-
GUS to crush the high hopes Of his friends;
too ambitious to trample all his bright
prospects in the dust; too good,' she
continued, blushing, ITO destroy the hap
piness of those that love him."
"Are they only the weak, the unam-
bilious, the unloved," said Edith, "who
are laid low by the fell destroyer, Alco-
hol? All! no often, Oh! how often,
theyoung, the lovely, the good, fall reck-
lessly into the fatal snares. Look at the
foulest blot on our village. Life to him
was once all sunshine. My father knew
him in his youth as a man Of great pro-
mise, esteemed and beloved; but did his
bright hopes save him from the abyss in
which he lies? Oh! Mary, delay not
throw all your good influence around
Harry; for alas fear you do not real
ize how heedlessly he is Fastening his
own destruction"
~ will ponder on what you say" said
Mary, thoughtfully, as she rose to accom-
pany her friend TO the door,
Ii was a resplendent evening, and the
two friends seated themselves beneath
the trees TO enjoy for few moments its
beauties. But few words passed their
lips, for the remarks of Edith had made
deep impression on the heart OF Mary;
they had left weight there not easily
removed; and Edith had no wish to dis
turb the thoughtful mood that might re-
suit in her own and Harry's good
Well,known, familiar voices came
waited on the still nights air to their
ears, in earnest conversation, as two
young men passed along the street.
tClinton, | do realize my situation. 1t
stands with all its attendant horrors, full
before me. With what fearful weight
it presses on my soul. But | am pow
erless,' 1ascinated,' 'spell-bound, ire
coverably in the wies of the tempter
Oh! God! that | should come to this.
Clinton. you, the untempted, know not
the torture of this longing, this burning,
Unsuitable thirst, which nothing will ap-
pease but the accursed wine God grant
you may never know You say, 'be a
man, shake off these horrid fetters.'
Clinton, cannot | have not power |
am as surely, as fatally drawn as by the
hateful rattlesnake; yes, 10 an object
twice as hateful, twice as fearful to my
soul"
HHarry," said Clinton, with deep emo
ton, 'G pity you, God knows how much !;
but do not, do dot despair. By all your
hopes OF time and eternity, do not say
you cannot release yourself from these
hellish chains. For 'her sake rouse
yourself, for Mary's sake, who loves you
better than life"
"For her sake" said Harry, bitterly, as
he struck his clenched hands together; !;
"what might | be but for her. If you,
Mary, had uttered but one word to aid
me in my good resolve--but no! itwas
you who placed with your own hands
the fatal glass to my lips 1t was your
finger that pointed out the smooth, de.
ceitful way! you-0h God! what am |
sayingw he exclaimed, vehemently.
"Clinton, believe / am mad p
Mary had heard enough. Those dread
full words fell like burning Goals on her
writhing heart, and she fell almost lifeless
into the arms of Edith.