Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-04-04
FOR THE SPIRIT oE THE AGE.
Only Once"
BY MISS MARTHA uA1NEs BUTT.

BY MISS MARTHA. HAINEs BUTT.
only one glass, Edwin I am sure there
can be no possible harm in that. Come.
drink with me for the sake of days gone by.
1t does not seem right for us to dine without
taking wine-it's perhaps the last time we
may sit at the same table together for wears.
You know that very soon YOU will 90 to the
lndies-lucky fellow you are, indeed. to have
gained the confidence of your EMPLOYERS. I
should not wonder very much if thew took
you as partner with them soon. | yerily
believe that to be their intention any how
Well, l only wish | We're as lucky as YOUR.
sell. But come, let me fill your glass-here's
to your health a safe voyage and all the
good fortune imaginable. But you do not
join me! Dear me! what a coward. to be
afraid of a single glass of wine.
James, cannot; you know full we'll that
L long since determined not to taste any
thing in the way of liquor. The first glass
might lead to the second, you know
Come, come, none of this parley abont q
glass of wine. Drink it; | do assure Won T.
is of asuperior quality
Il have not the least doubt but what It 10
but think it best for me to forbear, RI.
member the important business in which 7
am about to be engaged. Is it not e@ssent;a1
then that should adhere strictly to the rnles
of temperance p
The rules of temperance: what care T for
them: tell you there are many who pretend
to follow them and behind the curtain tbav
will not hesitate to taste a glass;
DO not Judge so harshly and even if that
were the case, l am not justiiable in drink
ing it too 3"
Well, only once, Edwin. Taste it. Here's
to your health again. That's the wav to he
a man-don't be afraid of a little wine.
Just taste it, the tempter had at last
succeeded by his cunning wiles. AGAIN and
again 1t was tasted, till finally the Contents
OF the whole glass were gone. His temnter
trlumphs IN the victory he had won and fills
the glass again; and now with honied words
ne persuaoes him to taste it. The thist had.
as 1t were, taken a hold upon him. and now
he scruples not to swallow eagerly the wine
poured out for him.
The first, the fatal drop had been taken.
and Edwin had violated the dictate. of 4 t6nt
conscience which had hitherto heen . fo;thfai
monitor. He had, in the midst IF - oil e.
gotten the promises which he had once made
M nle ese, butit was done again and again.
Inc 1atal drop had given him a thirst for
s'"' "Hi0n mas proved the ruin of SO many.
Only this once,' said Edwin Forest 70
himself, as ne stopped at the entrance of one
OF the most fashionable restaurants in New
York, Surely it can do me no harm. Il IS
chilly night and l need something to in
v!.gorate my system. One more look was
gwen 70 the door, the tempter had accom-.
Pllshed ms desi On, and Edwin Forrest partook
freely OF the wine. Each time he murmnred
to himself, only once.'
Edwin, have lost all confidence in Won
l mad fully determined to send YOU to the
indies, Tor the purpose of transacting some
very important business. 1t was my intention
also to take you as partner, but now It cannot
De- Tor you have forfeited nv confidence
You have promised me again and apa;n not
to touch wine, but each time YOU have broken
IL. knew the time once wben YOU would
not have touched it. Bad comnanv, under
the guise of friends, have led YOU off. Too
many times have demonstrated with YOU,
and all to no purpose. From this day then
you are discharged! for one SO extremely
remlss IN duty as you have been of late, is
not entitled to my confidence longer
1nese Were the words addressed to Edwin
FORREST by. his employer. Painful as it was
70 nim TO give utterance to them, yet he was