Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-31

he continued, looking at an old woman
busily engaged trotting the sick child onI
her knees.
"Yes, indeed" she replied promptly. IL
think with you neighbor, little drop does
great deal Of good. Some of these Tenn
perance fellows have been after the Doctor
Iknow.ns
s /" You are very much mistaken, madam,
bat have no time now for argument /
good night to you all, and the Doctor
turned as ne said this towards the door
But recollecting some additional direction
he FetIased bis stersto The side of the psss
tieht. What was his astonishment to See
the tumblcr of toddy placed with the ut
most unconcern to the lips of the child.
"Alas, rash woman" said Doctor Ham
mond in amelancholy tone, and with sad
countenance, sthisaIl the effect my words
have had on you! viii you administer
the poison just as your merciful God has
restored him to life. Poison it is indeed,
and none the less so, that the effects are
slow. Indeed the more baneful for being
slow fol if that present tumbler of toddy
had the potency to destroy your child's life
instantly, there is at least chance of its
salvation, but if you by often placing the
poison to his lips, train him to love and
crave for it, it will assuredly destroy both
soul and body at last"
La, Doctor" said the mother laughing
recklessly, Tommy loves toddy as well as
any Of us, and it is only toddy, sir. La
we have all been used to it all our lives,
and none of us are drunkards. 1t is all
new tangled notion, Doctor, you may de-
pend upon it. Just look how the child
begs for it, you may know by that it is
good for him. You shall have some dar-
i ling-mother knows it will do him good.
Naughty Doctor Hammond"
The good Doctor looked on in mourn
full silence and then said as he stood at the
door about to DEPART
"You can do as you like, madam, but
mark my words: You are teaching your
child to steal, lie and commit murder in
: that act. You are deliberately placing
him in the hands of the devil to act out
all his malignant purposes. | tell you a
gain, if you persist in this course, your
child will come to the gallows."
Again the Doctor turned to leave the
: room, and while he did so, in truth, while
he was pronouncing this appalling warn
ing with prophetic tone and manner, the
toddy WAS passing from month to mouth,
till every one in the chamber had tasted
it.
After the good Doctor Hammond had
| left the house, there was a merry laugh
among the inmates of the sick chamber
the old genteman's notions were discussed
: very charitably, of course, for all consider
5 ed him an excellent man, and had reason
? to believe him their sincere friend !: and a'
| such entitled to reprove and counsel then
whenever he supposed it his duty to do so
l Still he was old, had his notions, and they
:, would not contradict him, but toddy wa
7 great comfort, harmless comfort anC
/ they did not see why they should resign it
e use. They could not bear to enjoy pleas
g ant glass themselves, and deny 1t to thei
o children; so it was unanimously agreed tina
e toddy was to remain cherished beverag
in their families, Notwithstanding the we
d meant warning of their faithful Physician
it Again and again did dthis good man war
is this needless family of the danger whic
I'd threatened them on account Of their fonC
" ness for strong drink. Again and agai
E. did he save this very child from the jaw
ze of death and as often did he assure I'll
weak and thoughtIess mother, that h
Id would rather see him die than live and aC
e. vance to manhood with this fondness fl
be spirituous liquors.
N. off it were not my duty to save life whe
er | can, should much prefer to let you di
n Tommy" he often said to his parents
&c But the parents only laughed and mac
-e- light of his warning. They neither co
ir, troIled their children in the use of ardel
IL spirits or in any other particular. Co
af- troll was word not known in this famil
nix Time passed on, Tommy Jenkins gre
to be tall boy, and the good Doctor Har
he mond pursued the duties of his professi'
ny with faithfulness and diligence. In his lie
nd ure hours, the Doctor had amused hims
or rearing an orchard of choice, and ia
rts fruit-trees. In it he had several tre
>ve which were watched and cherished WI
lch peculiar care, almost affection. One
oSe these favorites was tree of COLDER p
old pins. 1t had bloomed; and the enthusias
Ju- master was in raptures the fruit was nC
maturity There were eight splendid
ins, Piles. All his friends were invited to Vi
en- the exquisiteiy beautiful apples. Eve
one wondered what the Doctor would
nee with his treasures. Who would be
ons highly favored individuals to taste the
ow, licious fruit. "The Doctor of course '
am give them to his wife, who will disp
the them at her next dinner party" said G
had The Doctor will send them to the n
md, horticultural exhibition" said another
laVe And various other suppositions were V
ton tured-but to all and each the Doctor sh
er 1t his head and smiled in his most benevol
man and good humored way, and then saic
piles 81 have just seven patients who
and longing for an apple"
5, OF "But you have eight of the ch Irme
ng a interrupted an impatient little girl
init, "Yes have eight" replied the g
with Doctor" and one is for the best frieI
g is have on earth, and that one, is the lar
then and fairest."
nsci- I" And who is that best friend I" a;
! my the saucy little girl.
lively tMv wife there" answered the pl
horticulturist. Only one more sunny
Mr.. were those beautiful apples to remain
tod tho traa to comnlete the triunlDh of