Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-11-16

P1oachIng dissolution. Towards morn.
ing he awoke and gazing around him witt
bewildered air, he exclaimed: "Where
am / F.! who are you 7" The doctor see.
ing that reason had returned, informed
him how ne had found him, and Of his
subsequent illness. The invalid lay IN
deep study for some minutes, and lhen
replied "Yes, yes, see it ALL see j,
ALL though it seems like hideous dream.
| have been for years a mad, houseless,
homeless wanderer on the face of the
earth. | perceive" continued he, ad.
dressing those around him, that my
story excites interest will relate it at
length. Perhaps it may contain a warn
ing
"Forty-fve years ago, wa. a young
man. Accompanied by my wife. set.
tied in the town OF c., in one o(
the southern counties Of Ohio, l erected
my cabin. and commenced clearing a spot
OF land. Young, industrious, frugal and
assisted by thrifty wife, I soon accumu.
lated property. Other settlers came in,
and the town was peopled with that ra.
pIdIty which has made Ohio the wonder
OF the world. Soon the wilderness BIOS
srmed as the rose. Forests were felled
and luxuriant fields Of grain and grass
waved over many broad acre.
"beiore many years, the centre Of
d which was on my farm, was
made the county seat. This brought an
increase of business to our town, one Of
neighbors opened store, and another a
tavern. There was one drawback, how
ever, to the prosperity Of our village, we
thought. That was We had to 60 to
Col. BIS, abou, twenty miles distant,
for our liquor, then though, to be one Of
the necessaries OF life. This | resolved
10 remedy, by erecting dls,llery on my
farm. saw that Col. B. acquired wealth
much faster than any of his neighbors.
Many excellent farms were silently pass
ing away from their owners into his
hands spoke to my wife Of the pro-
lect, and OF the profit that would result
from It, Though she was ANXIOUS TO see
me prosper, she nevertheless opposed
strongly the idea Of gain from such a
source. She did not think it right to
make and sell that which would destroy
our neighbors, soul and body. She re-
lerred in defence Of her position to the
passage OF Scripture that reads "Wo unto
him that putteth The cup to his neighbor's
lips" comfored myself, with the re.
Election that hundreds Of good and pious
men were engaged IN the business, aud
as for the Bible, i, could be constructed
to approve or condemn anything. Finally,
despite my wIie's remons,rances, | con-
cluded to build dist,Ilery, wen, res
olulely to work, and soon had the mate.
rials ready for the building.
"On the day OF the raising, our INNS,
ter, who was present, and drank ot the
liquor handed round, as was the custom
IN those days, SAID he approved my un-
dertaking, because he wished to see his
people Industrious and enterprIslng, My
nelghbors all seemed highly elated with
the dis.ilIery. They SAID i. would make
home market for their grain, would
increase the business and importance Of
our village, and last. bu, least rhsy rould
not hare to 90 to Col. BIS after their
liquor = Alas they little though, that
they were inviting demon into their
midst that would scatter disease, want
and wretchedness around them with a
lavish hand. My dls,illery was compile.
ted, and for the further accommodation
Of my neighbors l established IN connec-
ton with 1t, a retail grocery, Many Of
them patronized me. a, hrst, as they said
to give me a start After little, they
patron,zed me tor the sake Of my liquor.
My scheme was successful. | IN
creased in wealth beyond my fondest an
ticipations. 1t was not so, however,
with my neighbors. They contracted
habits OF dissipation at my dis,lllery, and
grew poorer every day. Their farms
aud other pursuits were neglected; their
fences rotted down; their fields we're
oyergrown with thistles and briars their
housesend barns became dilapidated, and
their families suffered from want, abuse
and neglect.
"But what could | dos | was making
money; and held mortgages covering
many mechanics home, and farmers
broad acres. The demon avarice had
,iIenced conscience, wi,hered all the finer
feelings Of my nature, steeled my heart,