Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-06-09

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years after. which made Mr.. Donald
son a very strong temperance man. A
great many men who are not reform
ers because OF the right--or the bles-
sings which flow into families, and the
benefit to the world-are made so by
the providences Of God. There are
many temperance men, because their
sons, their fathers, or brothers, or some
other relatives are in danger Of be-
coming drunkards. II is better to be
a..temperance man from such motives
than not at all; but every one should
be an advocate of the cause from love
TO god and sympathy for outraged hu-
manity. Every man should oppose
the license law and labor for its repeal,
because it will honor God, elevate
the nation in the scale Of morals. con-
vey unspeakablo blessings into thous-
ands Of families, and save the souls Of
men.
Mr.. Donaldson became q temperance
man on account Of the enemy's en-
croachments upon his family. His
son-in-law was fast becoming con-
Ifirmed inebriatc. He had given his
daughter in marriage to Erastus Ba-
ker, young man of promise. He
was from a good family. and had re-
ceived religious education under the
care Of pious parents, who lived in the
State Of Connecticut. lie came 10 the
town of Harwood to engage in the
mercantile business. His morality, his
frankness, his strict business habits and
good department in very short time
drew around him a large circle Of
friends. On slight acquaintance, he
paid his addresses TO Fanny Donald
son; his hand was accepted, and they
were married. All congratulated
Fanny on being the wife Of one SO
virtuous, so kind and amiable. In
the basement Of the building which
Mr.. Baker occupied was kept a large
liquor store, to supply landlords with
all kinds Of choice liquors from differ
ent parts Of the country.
The owner Of this establishment had
license to deal out his poison by small
as well as large measure. Ii was the
custom of Mr.. Baker, after his meals,
10 GO below and smoke cigar, ana
occasionally take aglass Of cider or
ale. Being the custom of the place
and the usage Of the age, it awakened
no fearful apprehensions in the mind
of his wife or her friends. The first
winter after her marriage, MIR. Baker
spent nearly all his evenings in that
den of infamy. Most of the young
men of that place had become pas
sionately fond of whist, and assembled
there to play for amusement. But
often that which commenced simply
for sport ends in avery disastrous man
ner to the morals and souls of men.
1t was SO in this case. Every young
man connected with the club became a
confirmed inebriate, and filed adrunk-
ards grave. Baker, not being on his
guard, was drawn into tins fearful
malestrom Of ruin. At first they spent
their evenings in playing cards for
pleasure, il is true; but they used in
toxicating drinks very freely to give
life and zest to their games. Before
spring, Erastus Baker was a confirmed
inebriate. 1t seems almost incredible
that man so soon forgot his young
wife, the prayers and counsels of his
pious parents. and lose all respect for
himself But he ran into temptation,
in defiance of light, conscience, and
former instructions--and God removed
all restraints, which doomed him to
sudden, fearful, and irretrieyable fall.
In that breathing hole Of hell' he
wasted his time and substance. His
busnes rapidly ran down, his custom
ers left him, and creditors forced him
to make an assignment: thus closed up
the business and career of Erastus
Baker, which had opened so prosper
ously. He seemed to forget his wife,
or at least the obligation he was under
to love. protect, and support her, The
intoxicating cup wasted his property,
ruined his character, chilled his warm
affections, blotted out his hope Of inn
mortal life, and changed the amiable
and kind husband into fenk. The
kind entreaties Of friends, the tender
expostulations of his aged father-in-
law, and the tears and anguish of his
brokcn-hearted wife had no power to
reform or even restrain him. His APP
petite for strong drink was fixed, and
he recognized no law but his passion
FOR rum. He lived to crafty his ap-
petite; to accomplish that end he sac
ri6ced business, property, reputation,
health, companion. and eternal life. He
even went so far as to take, wi thout the
knowledge of his wife, her wedding
dress, and sell it to Doty for liquor
AS soon as she discovered what he
had done, she called on the landlord
to expostulate with him on the inn
propriety Of his conduct. When she
entered the bar room, she found him
in the bar. "Mr. Doty," said she,
"did my husband bring you silk
dress, and dispose of it for liqnor?"
"Ye-yes, he-brought-an--old
dress-here, and wanted me to take it
on what he was owing me-" said the
troubled landlord.
"That was my wedding dress. Will
you not be so kind as TO return it to
me?" inquired Mrs. Baker, the tears
flowing down her careworn cheeks.
81 will, if you'll pay me what he
owes me-" replied the heartless rum
seller.
"How much is it?"
about five dollars, believe"
Mrs. Baker leaned her head against
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