Indiana American., 1857-01-16
an ynterlstins Storp.
THE OLD MANS STORY.

~ ehtit ~ tho bthof W oohio teh e"ts vi
age. Our home had every comfort and
my parents idolized me, their child
Wine was often on the table. and both my
father aud mother frequently gave it to
me in the bottom Of the glass.
One Sunday at church. a startling an
nouncement was made to our people. l
knew nothing Of its import but there was
much whispering among the men. Tho
pastor said that on the next evening there
would bc meeting, and an address upon
the evils Of intemperapce in the use ofal-
coholic drinks. He expressed himself ig-
norant Of the object Of the meeting. and
could not say what course II would be
best to pursue in the matter.
The subject Of the meeting came up at
our table after the service, and question
cd my father about it with all the curious
eagerness Of child. The whisper and
words which had been dropped in my
hearing clothed the whole affair in great
mystery to me, and was all cagerness to
the same strange thing.
Ny father said it was some scheme to
unite church and State.
The night came, and troupcs of people
gathered or the tavern steps. and I heard
the jest and the laugh, and saw drunken
men reeling out Of the bar-room. l ur-
ged my father to let me go, but he refused.
Finally, thinking it would be an innocent
qualification OF my curiosity, he put on his
hat, and we passed acrosss the green to
the church. / remember well 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 number Of friends.
For an hour the people Of tn place con-
tinued to como in, until there was fair
house full. All were curiously watching
the door, wondering what would next ap-
pear. The pastor stole in and took scat
behind pillar under the gallery, as
II doubtful of the propriely of being
there at all.
Two men finally came in, and went to
the altar and took their seats. All eyes
were fixed upon them, and a general
stiffness prevailed the house.
The men were unlike in appearance
one being short and thick-set in build,
the other tall and well-formed. The
younger had the manner and dress Of a
clergyman, full, round face, and quiet,
good-natured look, as he leisurcly looked
around the audience.
But my childish interest was all in the
old man. His broad, deep chest, and un-
usual height; looking giant-like as he
strobe up the aisle. His hair was white,
his brow deeply scanned with furrows,
and around his handsome mouth, lines of
calm and touching sadness. His eye was
black and restless, and kindlcd as the
tavern-keeper uttered low jest aloud
His lips wero compressed, and a crimson
flush went and canie over his pale check.
One arm was of above tho elbow, and
there was wide scar over the right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated
tho object of the meeting, and asked il
there was a clergyman present to open
with prayer.
Our pastor kept his scat, and the speak
or himself made short prayer, and then
made short address at the conclusion,
calling upon any one present to make re-
marks.
The pastor rose under the gallery, and
attacked the position Of the speaker
using the argument which have often
heard since, and concluded by denouncine
those engaged in the new movement as
meddlesome fanatics, who wished To
break up the time-honored usages Of good
society, aud injure the business Of respec-
table men. At the conclusion Of his re-
marks, the tavern-keeper and his friends
got up cheer, and the current of feeling
was evidently against the strangers ant
their plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the old
man had fixed his dark eye upon him
and leaned forward as II to catch every
word.
As the pastor took his seat, the ole
man rose, his tail form towering in it
symmetry, and his chest swelling as h
inhaled his breath through his thin, di
lated nostrils. To m e, at that time, ther'
was something awe-iuspiring aud gran(
in the appearance Of the old man, as HI
stood with his full eye upon the audience
his teeth shut hard, and silence lik
that Of death throughout the church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern keep
er, and that peculiar eye fingered ant
kindled for half moment
The scar grew red npoll his forehead
and beneath the heavy eyebrows his ey'
glittered aud glowed like those Of ser
pent. The tavern-keepcr quailed befor
the searching glance, and felt a relic
when the old man withdrew his gaze
For moment he seemed lost IL, thought
and then in low and tremulo us ton
commenced. There was depth in tina
voice, thrilling pathos and swee tnes'
which riveted every heart in the house
before the first period had been rounclet
My fathers attention had become fix Q
on the speaker with and interest whiei
had never before seen him exhibit.
can bat briefly remember the substance o
what the old man said, though the seen
is as vivid before me as any that eve
witne ssed.
"My friends IL am stranger in you
village, and TRUST may call you'll friends
A new star has risen, and there is hope Il
IL lit III