Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1857-01-23
Nj $ G. L. l. l. A n Y
THE OLD MANS STORY.

the temperance reform, was child at
the time, Of some ten years Of age. Our
home had every comfort, and my parents
idoliIcd me, their child Wine was often
ON the table. and both my father and mother
frequently gave il u me in the bottom Of
the glass.
One Sunday at church, a startling an.
nounccmcnt was made to our people. |
knew nothing Of its import, ba, there was
some whispering among the mon. The pas.
tor said that on the next evening there would
he = meeting, and an address upon the evils
II intomperancc in the use of alcoholic
drinks. lie expressed himself ignorant Of
the object u the meeting, and could no, 'ay
what course /, would Be 5cst to pursue in
the matter.
The 'uhrc, Of tho meeting came at our
table after the service, and questioned my
father about It with all the curious eager.
ncss Of a child. The Whispered words which
had bCcn dropped in my hearing clothed the
whole affair in grcn, mystery to Tue, and |
va. all cagcrncs' to learn Of ,hi, strange
thing.
Tho night came, and ,rour' Of r"oplo
gathered on the tavern steps, and | hearl
the jrst and laugh. and saw drunken men
rccln: out of the har.ro5m. Two men Gnal.
ly came in and wen, 70 the altar and took
thcr seats. Al eyes wcr, fHol upon them
and general stiffness pcrvadcd the house
Tho men were unlike in appearance, one
h,in. short and thrrk-.et in build. the other
tall and wcll.f,rmel Tho younger had the
manner and dryss Of clergyman, \ fall
round face. and quiet, e,od.natarci look,
as be- lri.urcly looked around thr audience
Bot my childish interest was all IN the
old man. Ills broad deep pche'i and unusn.
al height lasking eiant.lkc a' he strodr
up the aisle I'll, hair was white, brow
dsrrly scanned with burrows and around
nj. handsome mouth line, NJ calm and touch.
in. sadness. llis eyes were hack and rr't-
les. and kindlcI q, the uygrnkcgp'ru,t'rci
a low vt aloud. Ills lp. were compressed.
AMI q crimson flush went and came OYER hi'
pal, check, and there vas scar over thc.
rish, eye.
The younger finally arose, and stated the
oh',ct or the meeting, anin'kcl if,hrre was
a clergyman present - open with prayer
Is tho pastor took hi' sat th, oh man
ar1.,, his tall form towering in it, symctry,
and his chest swelling as ho inhaled his
breath through hi, thin. dilAtoi nost-il,.
10 mc at ,ha, time, there was something
awc-iu,pirin: and grand in the nppcarinc'
n the I'D man. as ho stood with hi' full
eye upon the audience, his teeth shut hard,
aud a .ileuc, Ike that of iea.h dilascI it~'il
,hr1u.bou, the church.
II, bent DO, gaze upon the tnvrruk''p'r,
and that peculiar cyo lins'raI and kiuil,,i
Or halrn moment
The car grew RI upon lii' forehead, anl
beneath the heavy eyebrows his eyes glitter
cI and elowcd like those ora serpent. The
uyr-ukr,pcr quailcl before the searching
.'anc,, I frlta relief Nhrn the Oh mar
withdrew vi, gaze. For moment be 'sem.
rI lo., in thought, and then in 4 low and
,rrmulpus ton, Commenced. Their, was -
d,r'h IN that voice, and thrilling pl.hus
and sweetness which rvetcd every heart Ia
tho house, before the first periol had Jccu
rounded.
My friend. II an a stranger in your
village and | trust I may call you friends.
4 new star ha, arisen. AMI there is hope IN
the dark night which hangs lik, pail OF
gloom over our country" With - thrilling
depth or voice the speaker continued 80
God. thou who lpokes, with compassion up
On the most erring Of carths children, !
thank thee that brllcn serpent has been
lifted. uppu which the drunken can look
and be- helped; but beacon has hurs, out
upan tho darkness that surrounds him,
which shall guide back IN honor and heaven
the bruised ard weary wandcrer.'
Il is strange what power there i, in some
voices. The speaker was slow and unmo'cd
but tear trcmbled in every eye, and before
| knew Why, tear dropped upon my hand,
followed by others like rain drOrs. The
old man brushed one from his own eye and
continued
Men and Christians, you have heard
that am nsrant and a fanatic. am
not. A. Gud knows my own sad heart, |
came here to do good. Hear me and be just.
81 am an old man, standing alone ut the
end Of a Mo. journey; there is the deep
sorrow in my heart, and tears in my eyes.
| have journcycl over dark aud beaeonlrs-
ocean, and all liie's hope. have been wrecked.
am without home, friends Or kindred upon
earth, aud look with longing to the rest or
the night Of death. without friends, kin
Ircd or home. II was no, 50 once"
. W one coull withstand the touching pa
tho, Of the old man. noticed tear ircin'
bling on the lid Of my iathcr'eyo' and was
no more ashamed Of my own.
"No, my friends, twas not 50 once
Avay over the dark waves which have
wrecked MY hopes, there i, blessed light Of
harpincss and home ! reach again con-
,ui.iyely for the shrines Of the household
idols that once were, now mine no more. v
The old man seemed looking through fancy
upon some bright vision, his lip. apart and
finger extended. involuntarily turned in