Washington telegraph., 1854-04-12
THE OLD MANS sTORY
A THRILLING SKETCH.


never shall forget the commencement of
the temperance reform. | was child at
the time, of some ten years of age Our
home had every comfort, and my parents
idolized me, their child Wine was often
on the table, and both my father and mother
frequently gave it to me in the bottom of
the glass.
One Sunday, at Church. a startling an
nouncement was made to our people |
know nothing of its purport, but there was
much whispering among the men. The
pastor said that on the next evening there
would be meeting, and an address upon
the evils of intemperance in the use of al
eoholc drinks He expressed himself ig-
norant of the object of the meeting, and
could not say what course it would be best
to pursue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came up at
our table after the service | questioned my
father about it with all the curious eager
ness of child The whispers and words
which had been dropped in my hearing,
clothed the whole affair with great myste-
ry to me, and l was all cagerness to learn
the strange thing.
My father merely said it was some scheme
to unite Church and State
The night came, and groups of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and | heard
the Jest and the laugh, and saw drunken
men reeling out of the bar-room. urged
my father to let me GO but he at first refus-
ed Finally, thinking it would be an inno-
cent qualification of my curiosity, he put on
his hat and we passed across the green to
the Church. l remember we'll how the peo-
pie appeared as they came. seeming to won-
Ger what kind of an exhibition was to come
off,
In the corner was the tavern keeper, and
around him number of his friends.
For an hour the people of the place con-
tinued to come in, until there was fair
house full. All were curiously watching at
the door, wondering what would appear next.
The pastor stole in and took seat behind
pillar under the gallery, as if doubtful of
the propriety of being in Church at all
Two men finally came in and went to the
altar, and took their seats. All eyes we're
fixed upon them, and general stiffness per-
yaded the house.
The men were unlike in appearance, one
being short and thick set the other was tall
and well formed. The younger man had
the manner and dress of a clergyman, full
round face, and quiet good-natured look,
as he lcisurely looked around on the audience.
But my childish interest was all in the
old man. His broad, deep chest, and unu-
sual height, looked giant-lke as he strobe
up the aisle. His hair was white, his brow
deeply seemed with burrows, and around his
handsome mouth, lines of calm and touch
ing sadness. His eye was black and rest
less, and kindled as the tavern-keeper ut
tered low jest aloud. His lips were COM
pressed, a crimson flush went and came over
his pale cheek. One arm was off above the
elbow, and there was wide scar over the
right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the
object of the meeting, and asked if there
was clergyman present to open with a
prayer.
Our pastor kept his seat, and the speaker
himself made a short prayer, and then made
short address, at the conclusion calling up
on any one present to make remarks.
The pastor arose under the gallery, and
attacked the positions of the speaker, using
the arguments which l have often heard
since, and concluded by denouncing those
engaged in the new movement as meddle-
some fanatics, who wished to break up the
time honored usages of good society, and in
jure the business of respectable men. At
the conclusion of his remarks the tavern
keeper and his friends got up cheer. and
the current of feeling was evidently against
the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the old
man had fixed his dark eye upon him. and
leaned forward as if to catch every word
AS the pastor took his seat. the old man
arose, his tall form towering in its symmetry.
and his chest swelling as he inhaled his
breath through his thin dilated nostris. To
me, at that time, there was something awe
inspiring, and grand in the appearance of
the old man as he stood with his full eye
upon the audience, his teeth shut hard, and
a silence like that of death throughout the
Church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern-keeper,
and that peculiar eye fingered and kindled
for half moment.
The scar grew red upon his forehead. and
beneath the heavy eyebrows his eyes gilt
tered and glowcd ike those of serpent.
The tavern-keeper quailed before that
searching glance, and | felt a relief when
the old man withdrew his gaze. For a
moment he seemed lost in thought. and
then commenced There was a depth in
that voice thrilling pathos and sweet
ness. which riveted every heart in that
house. before the first period had been round
ed. My fathers attention had become fix
ed on the speaker with an interest which
had never before seen him exhibit. | can
but briefly remember the substance of what
the OLD man said, though the scene is as
vivid before me as any that have ever wit
messed