Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-03-19
THE OLD MAN'.S STORY.


the Temperance Reformation. was child al
the time, of some ten years of age Oul
home had every comfort and my parents
idolized me, their child Wine was often or
the table, and both my father and mother
gave it to me in the bottom of the morning
glass.
On Sunday startling announcement was
made to our people. knew nothing of its
purport but there was much whispering
among the men. The pastor said that on
the next evening would be meeting, and an
address upon the evils of intemperance in the
use of alcoholic drinks. He expressed him
self ignorant of the object of the meeting,
and could not say what course it would be
best to pursue in the matter.
The subject came up at our tea table after
the service, and l questioned my father
about it with all the curious eagerness of a
child. The whispers and words which had
been dropped in my hearing, clothed the
whole affair with great mystery to me, and |
was all eagerness to hear of the strange
thing My father said it was some scheme
to unite the church and State.
The night came, and groups of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and Iheard the
jest and laugh and saw druaken men come
reelng out of the bar-room. | urged my
father to let me go, but he at first refused
finally thinking it would be an innocent graf
ification of my curiosity, he put on his hat
and passed across the green to the church,
l we'll remember how the people appeared
as they came in, seeming to wonder what
kind of an exhibition was to come off. In
the corner was the tavern-keeper and around
him was number of his friends. For an
hour the people of the place continued to
come in, till there was fair house full
All were curiously watching the door, and
wondering what would appear next. The
pastor stole in, and took his seat behind pill
lar under the gallery as if doubtful of the
propriety of being in the church at all.
Two men finally came and went forward
to the altar and took their seats. All eyes
were now fixed upon them, and general
stiffness prevailed throughout the house.
The men were unlike in their appearance,
one being short, thick set in his mould, and
the other tall and well formed, The young
er had the mannerand dress of clergyman,
a full round face, and quiet good natured
look, as he leisurely looked around over the
audience.
But my childish interest was in the old
man. His broad, deep chest and unusual
height seemed giant-like, as he strobe slow
ly up the aisle. His hair was white, his
brow deeply scanned withfurrows, and around
his handsome mouth, lines of calm and
touching sadness. His eye was black and
restless, and kindled as the tavern keeper
uttered low jest aloud. His lips were COM
pressed, and a crimson flush went and came
over his pale cheek. One arm was off above
the elbow, and there WINS a wide scar over his
right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the
object of the meeting, and asked if there
was clergyman present to open it with a
prayer. Our pastor kept his seat and the
speaker himself made short address; at the
conclusion calling on any one to make re-
marks. The pastor arose under the gallery
and attacked the position of the speaker,
using the arguments that / have often heard
used since, and concluding by denouncing
those engaged m the new movement, as med
dlesome fanatics, who wished to break up the
time-honored usages of society, and injure
the business of respectable people. AT the
close of his remarks, the tavern keeper and
his friends got up cheer, and the current
of feeling was evidently against the strangers
and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking the old man
fixed his dark eye upon him, and leaned for
ward as if to catch every word.
AS the pastor took his seat the old man
arose, his tall form towering in its symmetry,
and his chest swelling as he inhaled his
breath through his thin dilated nostrils. To
me, at that time, there was something awe
and grand in the appearance of the
old man as he stood with his full eye upon
the audience, his teeth shut hard, and 81
lence like death throughout the house.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern keeper,
and that peculiar eye fingered and kindled
for half a moment The scar upon his fore
head grew red, and beneath the heavy brows
his eyes glttered and glowed like a SER
pent's; the tavern keeper quailed before that
searching glance, and felt relief when the
old man withdrew his gaze. For moment
he seemed lost in thought, and then, in low
and tremulous tones, commenced. There
was depth in that voice, thrilling sweet
ness and pathos which riveted every heart in