Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-05-13
MistfIIanu.
THE FIRST GLASS OF WINE.

o SiasS' said sweet voice {" take j,GSt
one glass with me-" said the speaker, dark-eyed
glri looking bewitchingly at her companion
and gracely proffering goblet, flushed with the
rosy wine
they were sitting at richly-laden dinner
table, and the choice liquors which for wears
mad mellowed In the hosts cellar, were circula-
ting ireelev Ladies and gentleman, the young
and the old, even little children, were drinking
at that grand Christmas feast. OF all the mer-
ry company gathered there, only one abstained
from the intoxicating bowl and that was he to
Whom these winning words of persuasion were
so musically addressed
he glanced around at the guests who were
watching him, and replied firmly but gently
mo, thank you; / never drink wine"
This was noble language from him, and proved
that he not destitute of that moral courage
which leads its possessor to brave ANYTHING
rather than make sacrifice of pure and lofty
principles. But nobody appreciated the deed
Many gazed at him in astonishment and the
lady's lips curled with expression that told
plinly enough how seldom the slightest wish
was thwarted.
You surly viii not refuse me so small ia
sOT, sue COullnUtC, III j manner nall proud and
naughty.
+" Ask anything but this" was the reply in 4
low tone, which was only audible to her for
whom the answer intended. "My father
died 4 drunkaid, and over his grave l made a
solemn promise that l would never taste the
poison that ruined him
But you are too Particular" rejoined the
light-hearted girl you can drink moderately
without any danger. For my sake. now take
| this" and she again held up the sparkling Ma
deria
/ For moment there terrible conflict in
/ the young man soul duty, long established
habits, and desire To win the regard of the
/ temptress, waged stern warfare. But at length
the latter conquered and he drank the first glass
] Of trirae.
/ Do you say it harmless act reader p
! 1t the first step in path which ended in
/ woes " hich no pen of ours describe the
I germ of harvest of misery, which he reaped
ere time had silvered his hair measured out
half the span allotted to mortals.
A year after that hour of trial lie stood at the
altar with the fair girl who had thrown around
him the spell of inebrition She was pronoun-
ced his bride and when friends crowded arounc
them To offer congrat ulations, his cheek wore
the flush, his eve the fatal brilliancy which the
red wine had kindled. But his hopes were
bright be gifted and wealthy, and none
propLesied that his star would soon set or be
obscured in fast gathering clouds.
Time went on, and he drank daily with his
brother lawyers in splendid saloons and at his
own festal board. Fortune yet smiled, business
increased, honors and wealth poured in upon
him but there were those who marked in the
metcoric brightness of his intellect and the ex-
pres Of his countenance, that pernicious prac
tice which was yet to prove the of his
life Years again rolled away, and his affairs
began to assume n changed aspect He had
grown neglectful of his profession, and his old
clients had lost their confidence IN his ability
/ Half his estate had been sold, his library was
| mo, tagged and even the old homestead, which
he had resolved to keep as long rs he lived, had
passed into the hands of strangers.
His wife had grown pale d care worn al
her vivacity had fled, and you would scarcely
have believed her the gay girl who urged
him to dink his first glass Of arne.
Five years were passed, and he a con
firmed sot. His property has been wasted hi:
intellect deadend his lofty aim crushed. 4
mere hovel sheltered him and his destitute fam
ily There was no fire there no food none o
the comforts which he had bartered for strong
drink.
4 In his bloated visage and trembling frame
there was little to remind the beholder of The
elegant and intellectual looking young man who
once so nobly refused 70 partake of the intoxi
eating draught, aud then yielded and sank int,
the snares.
The fair temptrcss now lies in the church-yarc
in pauper's grave, and sometimes group o
ragged children gather there TO weep over thei
lost mother, while their father idles away hi
time in the lowest haunts of the vile and de
graded
At that moment when the crisis in his desti
ny came, had possessed power to turn deaf ca
to the syren and adhere to his principles, how
much better it would have been for him her
and hereafter. Oh reader wherever you are
; let me beg of you TO beware Of the FIRST GLAs
OF WINE ,-Olire Branch.