Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1854-04-06
VOL. TII.--NO. 21.

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ed with as many rs could find room. aud
then the services commenced bv PRAYER
from a distinguished clergyman an ap-
proprate piece of music was played. and
sung aud then the lecturer. who had be-
fore been in the back ground, came for
ward into the bright light, and stood re-
vealcd
As he did SO, Mary started, and an ex-
ciamation of surprise almost escaped her
lips She looked again upon him search
ingly she could not she thought. be mis-
taken it must be Dana who stood before
her for who else could have that high,
broad, white brow: those dark. melan-
choly eyes or that dignifed lock, and
tone2
lie came forward and commenced his
lecture with modesty and diflideuce ye-
ry becoming in young public speaker;
and Mary, in her surprise, at 6rst held
her breath, that she might catch the faint
est murmur of the wellremem bered voice
that so iudistinctly reached her ear; fear
ful that he would break down, and the
meiodlous zones cease altogether but
they did not, and the dropping of pin
could almost have been heard in the large
assembly, as he gradually warmed with
the subject and in clear, ringing tones.
poured out such an overpowcring tide of
elcquence, as TO carry the hearts OF near
ly the whole congregation along with him
N a powerful current of enthusiasm. He
depicted the horrors of intcmperance. and
the crime and misery caused by it. in such
moving and soul stirring language as none
but those who have suffered by it, or been
ITS victims, can ever use to portray their
feelings lie denounced, in the most sol
emn manner, the sin parents perpetrated
IN putting the Intoxicating, poisoned cup
to their children's lips in infancy and
childhood keeping them STEPPED and
bathed in the fery liquid. and giving them
sweet sings in every little bodily ailment,
till the smell and taste became agreeable,
and the appetite is formed that afterwards
gains such an ascendency as to lead them
on to crime and ruin. make Of them felons.
thieves and murderers Of the darkest dye.
and in many cases, bring down the gray
hairs Of their temperate drinking parents
who had unwittingly helped to form their
characters, with sorrow to the grave
As we are not 4 speech reporter. we will
not follow him through his pleadings with,
aud denunciations Of those who put the
fiery cup to their neighbor's lips tho
Wholesale dealers and retailers. or the gen
erous private citizen, who felt it incum-
bent on them 10 keep a well furnished side
board always ready for treat, to the
great oetriment Of themselves. their chill
dFen, and their. friends because we have
neither time Lor space and wll only say
that his eloquent appeals affected many,
even to tears, and brought down shower
or applause ard when he sat down. and
the pledge was circulated. several hundred
names were added to the temperance roll.
1t were vain to attempt a description
of Mary's feelings, during The hours in
which others had been so eI.cha;ned by
his elo3uence She heard every word.
and yet her imagination few back 10 ev-
cry scene where they had mct-by the
bridge over the Qninebaug. where he
saved her from drowning: and by her
lonely school house III l.. when he
delivered her from worse fate And
then she thought of this powerful advo-
cate of temperance, reeliug;and% Staggering
mo Captain Leedsy's house, their couver-
satlon the next morning, their cortcspon-
denee since, his neglect Of her last letters.
and its cause; and then she wondered if
those evil reports were true, what motive
could have been powerful enough TO effect
the change she saw ha l.taken place
He has probably forgotten me. she
thought, and would not lave recognized
me in this deep shadow if he lad not;
and might not wish to, if lie bad shall
90 forward and speak to Linl 2 While
she hesitated, however, he disappeared,
and the assembly dispersed
Not long after this. Mary having fine
to go North, with Mr. and
Mrs. Ellington, whose acquaintance she
had formed at Mr Mason's, decided to
return home.
The Masons offered great inducements
II she would remain with them; but Mary
was now a little homcsicli, so she soon
made the necessary preparations, and
bade them adieu.
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