The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-02-01

| IL was clear cool evening, and a.
Malcolm Warren stepped out into th'
street he seemed to shake himself a
though he would shake of the inhuenc,
of the dear place he was leaving. Bu
he could not wholly do it. He could no
drive from his mind the fearful counte
nance of his fond and faithful wife. moi
could he forget the look Of earnest simple
anguish he had noticed upon the face o
his child. Yet he tried to crush the
thoughts that were thus springing into
life. Pooh !! said he, as the image ofhis
wife forced itself upon him. ITS only a
little fun and frolic. Whose business is
it? Get out with your nonsense.
And thus speaking the young husband
and father closed his hands as though he
would hold on upon the feelings he had
tried to express, and then he hastened on
Atlength he reached the tavern, and here
he found his companions. The laugh
and the joke commenced, and ere long
Malcolm forgot ali about his home. He
sat in the bar-foom, and his sharp wit
made food for much merriment.
who says there's danger in the bowl,
cried young man, as he raised the glass
to his lips.
ITS the ravens croak,' said another
Of his companions. Here's confusion to
the idea.
Good J. exclaimed Malcolm Warren,
posing his glass Poison in the bowl
look at old Uncle Adam, now
He's used it all his lifetime, and here he
is the Oldest man in town. Come, here s
TO Uncle Adam
The person to whom Malcolm had thus
alluded was an old white haired man, who
stood at the bar with glass of rum in
his hand. His name was Adam Stanford,
and almost ninety years had rolled over
his frosty head His form was bent, and
his limbs trembled, but still he lived. and
his mind was yet clear. He heard the
remark which the young carpenter made,
and having set tdown his untouched liquor,
he turned and gazed upon the youthful
speaker. lie knew Malcolm Warren
well.
Malcolm, he said Come with me-
Come alone, for alone would speak with
you. Come
There was something very deep and
meaning in the old mans voice and as he
turned toward the door, Malcolm arose to
follow.
'Detain him not, said Adam, as some
of his companions sought to hinder him
Why should go with your he asked.
TO please an old man | mean you
no harm, Malcolm. Come
Passing out of the door they moved
across the street. Near by was the vii
Iage churchyard, and hilhcr Adam bent
bis steps. Arriving at the gate he passed
in. As Malcolm hesitated to enter, the
DID man said:
Come, follow me !?
Malcolm went, and soon stood within
the village churchyard And this white
haired guide was the sexton, who for
more than sixty years had made those
beds for the children of Immortality
The pale moon shed its beams upon the
place, and the chill air sighed mournfully
among the weeping willows that grow by
The hedge. The gravestones stood up
ike spectres above the faded grass, and
here and there arose white monument
like some more powerful spirit that watch.
I'd the sanctity of the place.
Malcolm W arren, spoke the old man,
n a voice so deep that it seemed almost
10 come from one of the neighboring
graves mot long since you pointed to me
IS an example Of how long man might
i've who smiled upon the wine cup. You
pointed to me as one who had outlived
Ill my companions, and yet as one who
lad always quaffed at the intoxicating
,owl. Perhaps you spoke truly, but you
lid not speak the whole truth, for the
whole truth you did not know, and now
have brought you here to whisper that
ruth into your ear 81
Malcolm W arren gazed up into the old
mans face, and as lie saw how solemn
vas the expression that rested there he
orgot the bad company he had left be-
lind him at the tavern, and his thoughts
,ecame serious.
Malcolm, resumed the sexton, 4 can
ook back now into the past, and see a
core of young men who commenced the
ace Of life with me. We went to school
orether, and together we sat in Church.
We learned to love the excitement Of the
intoxicating cup, and we thought not then
If the dangers we were courting, Years
,assed on, and saw those twenty men
ink into the arms of death, and buried
hem all here. Molcolm Warren, they
III sleep in drWnkard' S graUeS One af-
er another saw them fall, and at length
was left alone of the party who were
wont to assemble around the bar-room
ire !
A deep groan escaped from the young
mans lips, and shudder ran through
lis frame
'All gone J. he uttered,
Yese-all + the old man uttered
But this is not half Malcolm. There
we're wives and children that died, and
hey too, lie here 0, how well can |
.emember the bright eyed, laughing, low
NO gmls, who used to play with us when
We were boys! And how we'll can re-
member when saw them standing at the
,tar-and when they turned away from
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