The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-05-20

/ mother and two chlldfen, Iue hioVI
er is still young; but her thin, sad'
suffering face, tells story OF poverty
sickness, and that heart-sorrow which
dries up the very fountains OF lille.
A few years previously she had gone
forth from her fathers home, a happy
bride, looking down the open vista OF
the future, and seeing nought but JOY
and sunshine. She clung to her hus-
band as confdingly as the vine clings
to the oak, and she loved him with all
the fervor and devotion of a pure,
young heart. Alas! that a shadow so
soon fell upon her path; that loves
clinging tendrils were soon torn away!
"She is still young. Look upon
her, as she moves with feeble step
about her room. Ali into what
depth of misery she has fallen!-
Where is her husband?-he who so
solemly swore to love, cherish and
keep her in sickness and in health?-
The door has opeEed. He enters
gaze upon him! No wonder an ex-
preston Of pain and disgust is on her
countenance; for miserable drunkard
is before you. No wonder the wife's
pale cheek grows paler, nor that the
sadness OF her face changes into look
of anguish. Hark! he has greeted
her with an angry word. He staggers
across the room, and as he does so,
throws over that toddling thing on her
way to meet him. The mother, with
an exclamation, springs forward to
save her child from harm. See! The
drunken wretch has thrust her angri-
ly aside with his strong arm; and she
has fallen-fallen with her head across
a chair!
'The fall, my friends, proved fatal.
A week after that unhappy day, |
stood by the grave of one, who had
been to me the best and most loving
of childrenp
The speakers voice faltered. But
he recovered himself and went on
"A few years before, | gave my
child, dear to me as the apple of my
eye, into the keeping of one believed
to be kind, noble-hearted and faithful.
He was so then-yes, l will say this.
But the demon of intemperance threw
upon him his baleful glonces, and he
became changed. And such a change!
The scene l have pictured took place
in far off city, whittier my child had
been taken.
ALAS the poor child did not die in
my arms. | was summoned too late.
Only the sad pleasure of gazing on her
wasted cheek, white as marble, and
icy cold, remained to me-
The old man could no longer sup
press his emotions. Tears gushed
over his face, and he wept aloud. Few
dry eyes were in that assemblage.
is it any WONDER resumed Stur.
/ CESS, after he had again recovered the
/ mas ,ery Of his feelings, that | am a
| cold water fanatic? Methinks, if the
young man to whom l have referred,
had passed through sorrow Ike this,
\ he, too, would have been an enthu-
siast-a fanatic, if he wilI-in the
cause of temperance. He, too, would
/ have proclaimed from the street and
the house tops, in high ways and by
ways, his mission Of reform and regen-
Grafton. But let me say to him, and
to all like him, that prevention is bet
ter than cure-that it is easier to
keep sober than to get sober, easier 10
give up the daily glass at twenty two
or at twenty-five, than at thirty OF
forty. These drinking habits gain
strength more rapidly than others,
from the fact that they vitiate the
whole system, and produce diseased
vital action.
"A cold water Ganatic!-perhaps
am. But have not had cause? Ten