The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1854-10-04
Prom Chambers EainSurs Journal.
TIE DRUNKARDrs BIBLE.

Prom Chambers Edinburs Journal.
THE DRUNKARD,s BIBLE.
By sRs. 9. Q. HALL.
"There is inore nancy made in the
public line than in any other. unless il
bepswnbnking." said Martha Howniey J
to her brother; and ] do mt see why
you should fee! uncomfortable; YOU are
a sober man; since I have kept your
house. | never remember seeing you
beside Yourself; indeed, I know that
weeks pass without your touching beer,
much less wine or spirits. II you did
not sell them, somebody else would.
And were you To leave 'the Grapes
to-mnrrow, il might be taken by those
whoa would not have your scruples.
All the gentry say your house is-the
best conducted in the PARISH
"f,wish | really deserved the com.
pliment." interrupted Mathew, look. .
ing up IRON his day-book. al ought
not to content myself with avoiding
beer, wine, and spirits; if believe.
as do. that they are injurious alike to
the character and health Of man.
should, by every means in my power,
lead others to avoid them"
"Rut We must live, Mathew; and
your good education would not keep
you--we must live'
'.Yes. Martha, we must live! but not
the lives of va,npires;" and he turned
rapidly over the accounts, noting aud
comparing. and seemingly absorbed in
calculation.
Martha's eyes became enlarged by
curiosity - the small, low curiosity
which has nothing in common with the
noble spirit Of inquiry. She believed
her brother wise in most things but in
her heart of hearts she thought him
foolish in worldly matters. Still she
was curious and yielding to what is
considered feminine infrmity, she
said: Mathew, what is vampires"
Mathew made no reply; SO Martha
who had been "brought up to the
bar" BY her uncle, while her brother
was dreaming over an unproductive
farm--troubled as usual about "much
serving and troubling all within her
sphere BY worn.out and shrvelled-up
as much as by the necessary
duties OF active life-looked at Mathew
as if speculating on HIS sanity. Could
he be thinking Of giving up his busi>
ness, because Of that which did not
him ?--but she would "manage
him." II is strange how low and cum
ming persons. do often manage higher
and better natures than their own.
Martha" he called at last in loud
voice, 81 cannot afford to give longer
credit to Peter Croft"
:" thought he was one Of your best
GU customers; he is a excellent workman;
,is wife has much to do as a clear
'tarcher; and ! am sure he spends ey>
Try penny he earns here" Such was
Martha's answer.
"And more !" replied Mathew
more! Why, last week the score
vas eighteen shilIiDgs, besides what he {
,aid for"
"He's an honorable man, Mathew"
persisted Martha. alt is not long
ince he brought me six teaspoons, /
md sugar. tongs, when | refused him
'randy. tie will have brandy.) They
must have belonged to his wife, for
hey had not r. c. on them, but f.
omething: forget what"
Mathew wayed wroth. "Haye
lot told you that we must be content
nth the flesh and blood, without the
zones and marrow Of these poor drunk.
rdss | am mott pawnbroker. to lend
money upon mans ruin. | sell, to
e sure, what leads to it. but that is his
ault, not mine"
You said just now it ,Oas yours"
aid his sister, sulkily.
els il devil or an angel that ,
rompts your words, Martha ?" ex-
laimed Mathew, impaticntly; then I
Gaming his pale. thoughtful brow on i
is clasped hands, he added: But, how !
yer much sametimes try to get rid ,
I them. it must be for my good to see ,
lets as they are"
Martha would talk; she looked upon !
last word as victory. "He must 4
ave sold them whether or not, as be