Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-07-15
THE INEBRIATE'S DEATH.
A TRUE SKETCH


"Farewell my son." said the aged matron,
while tear glistened in her eye, and her
voice trembled with emotion. "Farewell;
never more will thy voice sound in my ears,
never more will thy form gladden. my aged
eyes, for my days are numbered-death, the
relentless monarch of mortals, stands in read
iness to summon me away. Would that you
could stand by my side to soothe my last mo-
ments, yet it is for the best. Farewell, God
bless you, and aid YOU to keep your parting
VOW"
A low, solemn Amen fell from the young
mans lips, but he could find no farther utter
ance, and turning away with a lingering step,
he left the home of his birth.
David Blakely, for that was the youths
name, was blessed with the kindest of par
ents. His youth had passed in pleasant oc-
cupation and instructive study, until at the
age of twenty he was possessed of a rare ed
ucation. With mind thoroughly disciplin-
ed, he had studied law, and was now start
ing for the far west, to establish himself in
business, determined to be the architect of
his own fortune and fame. At the time of
which write, Michigan, our own dear state,
was an unbroken wild. Where now the busy
hum of industry is, borne upon every breeze,
was then one vast solitude, broken only by
the war song of the Indian, and the music
of the wind as it swept through the stately
forests. Emigration was just beginning
to pour its living tide into the bosom of our
fair Peninsula, and with it he came.
While studying his profession, he was ne
cessitated to be from home, and mingling in
the worlds gay throng he had formed many
new habits, among them was that of using
intoxicating drinks. True, he had drank
nothing but the ruby wine, fragrant with de-
licious sweetness, with an occasional glass of
brandy; but even this had a visible effect up
on him. At first he drank only in the social
circle, or with an esteemed friend; but soon
that deadly scorpion-a pampered appetite
threw its glittering folds around him, bind
ing him in its deadly embrace, until he loved
the intoxicating beverage.
With anguish, his mother saw that he was
treading the path that leads to sure destruc-
ton, and with gentleness, besought him to
abandon the death-giving dreg. 81 shall
never be drunkard," he would say when
she besought him to abandon his cup. "Fear
not, that shall SO debase myself as to wal
low with the brute, and in my degradation
forget that 1 am man. shall never be
more than fashionable drinker."
o, infatuating thought Still, did that
fond mother beseech to desist, until he swore
never more to touch the intoxicating bowl,
calling upon high-heaven to witness the
sanctity of his vow. This was the VOW
which his sainted mother with fearful eyes
had asked God to aid him in keeping invio-
late; and many were the prayers which as
cended from the parental roof, that the ruler
of mankind's destiny would watch over and
protect their son.
Time rolled on, and two years had elaps-
ed since David Blakely left his eastern home
for the west He had established himself in
business; prosperity smiled upon him-the
land of his adoption was fast changing from
its primeval state-the inhabitants were ad-
vancing in opulence, and he, having as it
were, identified himself with the progress of
the country, had already gained somewhat of
fame. The smiles of young and beautiful
wife cheered him on to renewed excrtion; and
with such fair prospects the sky of his future
could but be cloudless and cheering Vari-
Gus were the posts Of honor conferred upon
him-the duties of which he discharged full
ly to the satisfaction of his constituents
Michigan had become a state-a Legislature
was to be chosen, and David Blakely was a
| IN nd;dote for offico Az the dav of election