Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-03
The lost Mechanic Restored.


and benevolent lady, to take into my employ
a young man who had become Incorporate.
objected that the influence of such man
would be injurious to my other workmen, and
especially my apprentices. But the kind
hearted lady urged her request, saying that
he was willing to come under an engagement
not to drink at all, and conform strictly to all
regulations of the establishment; that she re-
ceived him into her family when a boy, and
felt deep interest in his welfare; that he
had learned trade, and was an excellent
workman ; had become hopefully pious, and
united with one of our churches I; had mar
ried very worthy young woman, but his
intemperance had blasted his fair prospects-
He was now sensible Of his danger and /
she believed his salvation for this. if not for
future world, would turn on my decis ion.
Iconsented to make the trial and he came,
binding himself, by written contract to re-
ceiye no part of his wages into his own hands,
and forfeit whatever should be due to him,
in case he became intoxicated He succeed |
ed remarkably in my business, was industri-
Gus and faithful, and strictly temperate and
regular in all his habits.
But in the summer of 1852, he was by some
means induced to taste again an Intoxicating
drink, and a fit of drunken insanity ensued, |
which continued about a fortnight. Knowing
that his wife had some money, he gave her
no peace, day or night, till he got possession
of it. He then took the boat for New York,
spent the money. and after bartering some
| of his clothes, returned, most destitute and
wretched object.
After he had become sober and rational
once more, happened to meet him in the
street, and asked him why he did not come
to work as usual. With a voice trembling
and suppressed, and with look of grief, self
reproach, and despair that shall never for
get, he said, ''I can never come into your
kshop again | have not only violated my
contract with you, but | have treated you
with the basest ingratitude, proved myself
unworthy of your confidence, and destroyed
the last hope of my reformation"
I assured him of my increased desire for
his welfare he returned to his employment,
and his attention to business evinced the sim
cerity of his confessions.
But not more than three months had
elapsed before he was taken again in the tolls
of his old deceiver; and at this time he was
so furious and unmanageable, that he was az
rested and committed to the workhouse. lie
was soon released, and engaged once more
in my business. He continued for about two
months, when he fell again and after fren-
zy of week, came to me and begged me to
take him to the workhouse, as the only means
by which he should get sober. He remained
there few days, and then returned to his
work.
Such was his history few months sober,
industrious, and obliging in my shop; kind,
attentive. and affeetionate in his family then
week furiously drunk, absent from my shop
violent and abusive in his family then al
the workhouse and then sober, and at home
again.
He has already been excommuncated
from the church for his intemperance, had
become terror to his wife, who frequently
sent for inc to protect her from his violence,
and seemed to he utterly abandoned.
In the month of May, 1888, he was again
missing; and no one, not even his wife, know
what had become of him. But in the course
of the summer she received letter from him,
in which he said he had got employment
and wished her, without informing me where
he was, to come and live with him. She ac
cordingIy removed to his new residence, and
l heard nothing from either of them.
About two years and a half after this he
came into my shop one day; buthow changed
Instead of the bloated wild, and despairing
countenance that once marked him as drum
kard, he now wore an aspect OF cheerfulness
and health, of manlness and self-respect.-
aDDfOaC06u, TOOK HlAl ny tl6
said, " Well -, how do you do?" On
arcH'' said he, shaking my hand most cordi
ally. eyes," said l, well in more respect
than one.'' g Yes, am," was his emphatic
reply g Il Is now more than taco yaars sine
Ihace tasted drop of any thing that can an
toric0te" He began by abstaining from ar
dent spirits only; But" said he, i" | sool
found that what you had SC often told M
was true that | could not reform but by alb
staining from all that can intoxicate. hav
done so, and you see the result"
then required after the health of his wifi
and child : his reply was, They are wei
and happy" / asked him if " his wife mad
him any trouble now. Trouble" sal
he, /" no and never did make any it was
that made the trouble. You told me SO, an
| knew it at the time. But aohat costd do
So long as | remained here, | could not &
to my meals without coming in contact wit
some associate who would try to entice me t
drink with him; and even the keepers {
these shops would try every artifce to Undue
me to drink for they knew that if the
could get me to taste once, should neve
know when to stop, and they would be sur
to get good bill against me:
"I have now come," said he, " to tell yo
why | left you 1t was because knew tht
J should die if did not leave off drinking
and saw distinctly that could never leay
off while remained in Hartford. My onl
hope was, in going where liquor was not
be had"
2 About two years and half after this,
5 applied to me for further employment, as II
: business he was following had failed. Ito
, him there was no man whom should rath
4 employ, but could not think of having hi
. encounter again the temptations which
= has so miraculously escaped. He very plea
antly replied, g / am man now, and do n
s believe have any thing more to fear fro
5 the temptation of the city than you have
I told him that I had confidence in Il
firmness of his purpose, but feared to see
nut to the test. Yet, as he was out of bu
e Fness, | consented and no man that ev
is employed did better, or was more deserving
s. eonfdence and respect. He continued WI
, me till spring, when he proposed to take
I work into the country, so that he could
with his family: the arrangement was mac
o and employ him still.
10 On the fourth of July last, (1855,)
Fe Sunday-Schools in the town where he resiG
le made arrangements for celebration, ant
ID was invited to be present and address the
As looked upon the audience, the e
eountenance that met my eye was that
this very man, at the head of his Sund
ID school class. The sight almost overheln
70 me. Instead of loathsome, drunken N
= iac-a terror to his family and a curse to
J. ciety whose very presence was odious, {
It his example pestilential-he was then, in
expressive language of Scripture, "cloth