The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-16
LITTLE DENNIE."

Lltle De1nle" was tne son OI Clcrpy.
man, who, some years since, lived on the
shore Of Lake George. This was before
the temperance reformation, when almost
every family kept intoxicating liquors con.
sianlly on hand, and used them as an oc-
casional il no, as daily beverage. laugh,
by The example OF his father and his guests,
tho little boy contracted love for strong
drinks, that he gave his parents mos, pain
ful apprehensions on his account, and was
the subject Of their frequen, but unavailing
remons,rance. AT length, at a barn. raising
which he had been permitted 10 attend and
where he had free access 10 keg Of liquor,
he became dead drunk, and was laid upon
board under tree. The rest OF The story
We copy in the language OF tho author:
I" About four O'clock his father called TO
accompany him home: not seeing him, he
eagerly inquired for his child: they pointed
him TO the place where he lay: With a
heart full OF sorrow, he carried him home
10 his mother and sisters. Together his
parents watched by his bed during the long
night that followed, not knowing but the
dreadful siupor would result in his death /;
but fully resolved If he lived not 10 leave
un'ried any effort that might promise TO
save him.
II was no, till the evening OF the second
day that he was restored to perfect con.
sciousness. His parents thought best not
TO speak 10 him OF the cause OF his illness
for some days, hoping his own reflections
would do him much more good: but in this
they were mistaken - He did not exhibi,
the first symptom of remorse or conscious
ness that be had done wrong.
About week afier the event just re-
lated his father invited him one pleasant
morning TO take walk. Their road lay
along the shore of The lake, and was lined
with stately trees on either side. For
time they walked on in silence.
'Dennie,' said he, do you know what il
was made you sick The other dayp
'Why, suppose drank too much rum
he anlessly replied.
Well, my sor, do you know that ! think
you are in danger Of becoming n drunk
ardl
Why, father I know you tell me so, bu,
] am not afraid OF il. You drink rum every
day, and you are no, a adrunkard; aud when
get old enough 10 know how much II will
do for me 10 drink, then | can keep from
being drunk ioo.'
They both seated themselves on rock
near the shore, and mos, faithfully did his
father speak Of tho evils OF in,emperance;
then taking small gold watch from his
poke, which Dcnnie bad long desired 10
10 call his own he said 'Dennie, II you will
never drink any more rum | will give you
this gold watch. Will you do ilP
Rising from his seat and looking his
father full in his face he replied, III il is
wrong for me 10 drink rum, seorn 10 be
hired not TO drink il. But | will tell you,
what iriA do. II !, is wrong for me 10
drink it is wrong for you, and il you stop
drinking | will.
Had u fash Of lightning burst from The
cloudless sky above them his father could
no, have been more startled. How could
he preach or perform the laborious duties OF
n pastor without his daily glass Of tillers!
How could he gel up in cold winters night
and 20 aud pray BY the bed Of some dying
parishioner without glass Of something 10
prevent him from taking cold! How could
uC dNCUu tuu CCClCsidSutdl NhCCt-
ings OF the church without something to
help him bear the faligues Of the journeyl'
The sacrifice was indeed great, but his sons
welfare demanded il. And summoning oil
his resolution with iallering voice he re-
plied-I irin do i, my sonp Aud thus they
pledged themselves 10 Total .fbslinenee
there.
The lake, tue trees and the puro blue
sky being their only Witnesses, save only
,ha, Holy Being who is everywhere. AS
they re,raced their steps his father taxing
tho lille watch from his pocket gave y 10
Dennie, and said, My son you have ,ons
wished lha, would give you this wa'enw II,
7, is now Yours as long as you keep y''Ir
promise. Should that ever DO p'yse%, ~, ,h.n
shall expect you 10 return il 10 me, ", 'nss ws
lc. i. be token 10 you OF the pr"'h''' W.
have now made. r,,.
Years have passed and the same lillle
p.nn;e is now distinguished clergyman
n none" one Of the most pcpolous western cities.
r. Eo,,r "ri b,i.h, RI lille boys call him father
The Ss same liule gold watch decora,es his
narIor wall and oiien does he poin, 10 il and
i.ll of hi, danger and escape from The whirl-
pooi Of Observation-Disclosures L. .|e. Boat.