American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-02-28

- AN IMPRESSIVE LESSON. "a
Ohe glass said a sweet voice; take
just one glass with me- said the speaker,
4 dark eysd girl, looking bewitchingly al
hercompmion. and gracefully protfsring
him a goblet, flushed with the rosy wine.
They were sitting a, a richly laden dia
ner table, and the choice liquors, which
FOR years hal melIowed in the hosts cellar,
were circulating freely, Ladies' and gen
tlemen, the young and the old. even liule
children, were drinking At that grand
Christmas least. Ola the merry compa.
nv gathered there. only one abstained from
the intoxicating bowl, and that was he to
whom these winning words Of persuasion
were SO unsteady addressed.
He glanced around at the guests who
were watching him, and replied firmly, but
gently.
NO. thank you; I never drink wino.'
This was noble language from him, aud
proved that he was not destitute of that
moral courage whicl.leads it's possessor To
brave anything rather than make a sacrifice
pfptre and lofty principles. But hoholy
appreciated the deed. Many gazed athim
jn aslonishment. and the lady's lips curled
with an expression that told plainly enough
how seldom the lightest wish was thYart'
ed
You surely will mt refuse me 50 small
asfavor.' she continued, in u manner hal
proud aud naughty.
ASK anything but this was the reply,
in a low tone, which was only audible u
her for whom tlie answer was intendud.- :
My father died a druukara, aud over Iii,
grave / male a solemn promise that
would never taste the poison that ruined
him. . elaer
But you arc TO particular rej5ine1 th,
lighthsarled girl; 'youcan drink moderate
ly without any danger. For my sake. nov
take this, and she again held up the spark
ling Madeira.
For a moment thore was a terrible con
fict in the young mans soul; duty, long
established habits, and a desire to win til,
regard o fthe temptress waged a stern war
fare. But at length the batter conquered
and he drank The frst glass Of piae.
lido you say harmless act, reader? !
was the first step in . path which ends IL
woes that no pen of ours can describe; TIL
germ ola harvest Of misery. which h
reaped ere time had silvere ID his hair 0
measured out halt tue span allott d TO NOR
tails.
,,sA year after that nour Of trial he stoo'
at the altar with the fair girl who ha
thrown around him the spell Of inebriatiou
She was pronounced his bride; aud whe
friends crowded around them to offer con
CALCULATIONS, his cheek wors the flush. hi
eye the fatal brilliancy which the red win
had kindled. But his hopes were bright
ne wasl gifted and wealthy and mon
plfropesied that his star would soon set u
be obseured in fast gathering clouds. ?
Tins went on. and he drank dsily wit
his brother lawyers in splendid saloons an
this own festal hoard, Fortune yet smi
led, business Increased, houors and wcalt
poured in upon him, but there were thos
who marked in the mateoric brightness {
hisintellect and the expression Of his couu
tenance that pernaciops practice which WI
Yet to prove the course Of his life. Year
again rolled away, and his affairs bega
to assume a changed aspect. lIe ht
grown neglected. Of his profession. an
his old clients had lost their confidence i
his ability, Half his estates had been sold
his library was mortgaged, and even tn
old homstrvl, which he had resolved [
keep as long as he livoi, had passed int
the hands,ot strangers.
His wife had grown pale and care worr
N L.. k.,...ts, l.aA al . aa1 ,,n, kuA,,l
scarcely have believed her the same ga
girl who urged him to drink his first gias
@wins.
Five years were passed, and he was
Confirmed sot. His property had bee
wasted; his intellect deadenrd; his loft
aims crushed, A mere howell shcltere
him and his destitute family. There wa
ne ire there; no food none of the com(or
which he had battered for strong drink.
In his bloated visage and trenholm
frame there was little to render the beho
der Of the elegqnt and intellectual lookin
young man who .ouce so nobly refused
partake Of the intoxicating draug ht, au
then yielded and sank into the snare.
That fair temptress now lies in the churc
yard in u ~pauper's grave, AMI sometimes
group Of ragged children 9 nher there
weep over their lost mother, while the
father idles away his time in tbs lowe
baunts of the vile and degraded.
Al that momen, when the oricis in Il
destiny came, had be possessed power
turn a deaf ear to the syren and Adhere
his principles, how much better il won
hava hnan far him hare and haraaftor q
reader, wherever you are, let US beg "
to beware Of the frst glass Of Winel
q