The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-04-20

him, yet people often talked about him
he knew good deal, and he knew
something's which nobody else knew. lie
had been lawyer, and was once highly
esteemed, but alcohol held dominant
sway over him, and by that curse he had
lost his standing. Now, Lake was lust
one OF those men you would mark down
as being worthless, and yet no truer heart
beat in the breast of any one. Rum had
changed his whole bearing and aspect.
but yet at times could be seen, not oniy
flashes Of intelligence beaming from his
eye, but his countenance bearing the eyi.
dences Of a mind, pure, just, and honest.
John had just left school, aud his father
had determined to send him TO the CITY
OF s. to study Law. As the time
drew.pear for his son to leave, the old
man became thoughtful; what a, first an
peared Of little consequence, now tLat Il
was coming TO climax, affected him more
than he was even aware Of The father
hated to part with his son, and although
there was no ostensible reason why he
should not accompany him, yet he knew
the world said Lake was drunkard, and
the stigma should not follow the ,on.
Here was man nature had endowed
with rare gifts; education had completed
what nat:Ire had planned-so sensitive
when his sons welfare was to be consider
ed, and yet perfectly regardless in relation
to himself So long as the world was
confined to the epithet, Lake is a drum
kard," he did not care, but when it said
young Lake was the son Of drunkard,
his pride revolted.
Strange as this may appear, it is some
thing not uncommon. The father or mo-
ther even, may have lost all pride for self,
and yet scrupulously sensitive when the
character Of his or her offspring is even
insinuated against. And yet, although
Lake knew this and felt this, yet we say
he was so chained to intemperance, so
perfectly welded to liquor, that he could
not or would not renounce the cup.
But the time approached, the father
had to part with his only son, or else 90
with him, and thus give society, in new
place, a subject by which his son could be
scandalized. He talked with tho son
John said he would rather his father
would 60, he was afraid TO leave him
there alone that he did not care what
the world said, and he yet hoped his fa-
ther would quit the awful habit. The ia
ther was then partially intoxicated, and
told his son to "hush up" When sober
and in his perfect senses, old Lake was a
kind and indulgent father, but when at.
fected by liquor, his nature was changed,
he was just the reverse. And this is so
generally the case. A man Of noble ma
ture, whose heart is divested Of all mar
row mindedness, and selfshness, but with
conscience free and untrammelled as
the winds Of Heaven; yet, when under
the influence Of ardent spirits, the devils
Of hell hold him in subjection; his soul
cries out guilty guilty and utter reck-
lessness and frenzy impel him on to ac-
tons, which his nature would revolt at
when in the state Of mind God endowed
him with. The old man in his sober SEN
ses, loved his son, when drunk he loved
nobody. As the time drew near for John
TO go, he determined to 90 with him. He
had ever cautioned him against liquor
Referred him TO himself, and yet persisted
in bis course. And this too is ever the case;
where is the father who drinks, that would
encourage the soni Where is the drum
ken employer who would not prefer his
employees TO be sober meni Where ia
the drunken merchant who does not pre-
;es . sober clerki Old Lake did not wish
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