Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-07-12
O. o N t1lt1tn1tations N MS.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AG
How things have Changed Z!

1t is very pleasant, after long absence,
for one to return to the home of his child
hood the scenes Of youth and friends of
other days; and more especially is it, when
on returning, he finds great and benef-
cial change has been effected Such has
been the case in what is now to be related.
Altar yan-ahso-~c5ofz rz5-zal-~-e
gain to visit it, and although at so unpro-
pitious a season as stern winter, which with
its chilling blasts and blighting frosts had
divested the face of Nature of its beauty
and magnifcence, yet there was much of
interest, and that too, which soon present
ed itself to my eye and won from my soul
hearty approval. That to which my at
tention was first drawn, was, standing close
by the roadside, beautiful cottage-a
comfortable house presenting all the appear
ances of fine living and enjoyment. And
this was the more striking, because on
that very same spot, few years ago,
was seen poor, pitiable log-hut, which to
make the abode of human beings, required
no ordinary credulity on thepart OF the pas
sing stranger. Then no handsomely laid
out garden surrounded pretty cottage
No cheerful wife and brighteyed children
ornamented its 6reside, or welcomed with
! many smiles and kissed, on his return, a
: happy father to his happy home. The
mother, care worn and subjected to hard
: usages, was indeed fit emblem of despair
a the dear little children too, presented to
; the contemplative mind spectacle truly
= commiserating but the change which has
y come over the scene more than compensates
5 for all these. And being so forcibly struck
= by this great change, made an effort to
|, discover the true cause of it. Why, where
, but few years ago, brooded in all his hid.
n eousness, impending desolation, now smil
7 ed in her beauty and comfort, sweet pros
h perity. [ was told that, "he, who form
" erly occupied that place, had Joined GER
is tain Society formed in the county, and ev
O. er since his connection with it, had contin
!: ued to prosper. That he who had not onl.
y, been the most abject, debased and forsa
% d ken human being in that neighborhood, bu
ks perhaps in the whole State, was now yer.
til respectable citizen-that instead of resort
1p ing to places where alcoholic liquors wer
n sold, he staid at home, worked hard an
nd was supporting his family very genteelly.
l's Since this mans reformation it was m
be be happy privilege to see him converted t
al God and so soon as | saw it, though
we that he owed his conversion then, and hi
ne final salvation to the instrumentality Q
Sons of Temperance. He is now an exeu
is plary christian bright and shining lam
o5t in the Church of Christ. With him hay
,Ia ls been acquainted from my childhood, an
iod am confident that, up to the time of b
zen connection with the Sons of Temperate
uc- the history of his life can be written in tt
till one single yet horrible word DRUNKENNESS!
ing And throughout this whole period, po
the fellow he acted all the parts of the frigE
'nd 'n1 fuI drunkard. Once, l recollect, duriI
us the Presidential canvass of Clay and Pol
usi while in state, not of entire intoxicatio
,ole but, as is said, a, ittle-how-come-you
his on his way to Clay mass meeting, as
!. ms was earnestly endeavoring to convice
,l0'- Wing friends he was no Loco Foco, bu
ex- genuine Whig and firm supporter Of G
and lant Harry, by mishap he fell into a J
ever low mud hole, and rolling himself o.
be- several times ION purpose) in order that
nald might verify what he had urged with
told much zeal, rose up. and with his loud
Hn Ine effort, exclaimed "I AM A CLAY MAN
him DON'T YOU SEE I AMI"