Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-03-30
MiserlIanrous.
DENNIE AND HIS FATnER.

| DENNlE AND HIS = A AAChs
OR, THE DOUBLE PLEDGE.
On the shores o ( the beautiful Horizon, now
known as Lake George, in the eastern part Of
New York, there lived, few years ago, a
clergyman. His happy family Of seven daugh-
! tiers, and darling son, boy OF more than or
binary promise, were growing up under the in
6uence and instruction Of such parents as few
children could boast. Happy among them
selves, with their homes amidst the most beau
,iful scenery in nature, life seemed TO them
bright and glad reality. But, occasionally
shadow Of anxiety might have been detected on
Ithe usually calm brows Of both the father and
mother.
The time .: which my story commences was
before the days Of temperance. II was when
every family kept supply OF ardent spirits con-
stantlv on hand; and children were accustomed
to the dangerous beverage daily. So it was in
this family. The little "Dennie," accustomed
every morning tohis glass ofbitters, and to treat
every time friend called upon the family dur
ling the day, soon began 10 show a decided fond
ness for the intoxicating drink, and sought for
more frequent occasions 10 CRAFTY his taste.-
| His parents saw his growing appetite with
alarm, and often admonished him, but with lit
tie effect his appetite increased, and more than
4 once they had the modification Of seeing their
promising boy in state of evident intoxication.
Various were the remedies they tried, but with
little good; and they could only hope that time
and his own good sense, would at length enable
him to control the habit that threatened to ruin
him. But an event occurred which blasted ev-
iery hope, and they saw nothing before their
child but a drunkard's life and q drunkard's
grave.
One morning the little Dennie came running
in with eager inquiry--"Mother, Mr.. Smith is
going 10 have a raising this afternoon, and
James has invited me. May go?'
sMy son, if your father thinks it best, you
may &c, his mother replied.
His fathers consent was readily obtained
and after dinner he started slffHli Of hanpy an
lticpations. Arrived al the place, his attention
was occupied for time in the erection of the
building: too soon, however, he discovered n
ksg on the premises, which his ready genius
quickly told him contained his faVorite bever-
lare. Without nome nt's hesitationhe he asked
| for drink-it was given him, he asked for an
lother, then another, and before the afternoon
was half gone, "Dennie" was dead drunk, and
lthA. .workmen had laid him on board under a
About four o'clock his father called 10 accom-
lpany him home not seeing him about, he eag-
Ierly inquired for his chid-they pointed him to
tbs place where he lay. With heart full Of
sorrow be carried him home TO his horri6ed
watched by his bed during the tedious nightthat
followed, not rowing but the dreadful stupor
would result in his death, but fully resolved, if
he lived, not to leave untried any effort that
might promise to save him.
! It was not until the evening Of the second
/ day that he was restored to perfect conscious
ness. His parents thought il best not 70 speak
70 him the cause of his illness for some days,
hoping his own reflections would do much more
good, but in this they were disappOinted-hc
did not exhibit the first symptom Of remorse or
consciousness that he had done wrong.
About week after the event just related, his
father invited him one pleasant morning to take
a walk Their road lay along the shore of the
lake and was line with stately trees on either
side. For time they walked on in silence.
"Dennie," said he, ''do you know what it
was that made you sick the other day?"
"Why, suppose ] drank too much rum"
he heaTtlessly replied.
swell, my son, do you know that think you
are in dangero becoming drunkard?"
"Why, father, know you tell me so, but
ain 4 afraid of it. You drink rum every day,
and you are not drunkard, and when get old
enough to know how much it will do for me to
drink, then can keep from getting drunk too.
They both seated themselves on rock near
the shore, and most faithfully did his father
speak Of the evils Of intempernnce, then taking
a small gold watch from his pocket, which Dem
nio had long desired 10 call his own, he said,