Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-12-03

How do you suppose he feels? I have a
rich brother in New York. They have
both tried their best to save me.
was ruined in my youth. There
is large oil-store on the corner of NJ.
and L. streets. You have doubtless
seen ii. Before his death my father car
ried on that business. Invent there reg
ularly after it was closed for the day,
stealing from my home, often from my
bed for he purpose, to carouse with
three young fellows of my own age. We
told stories, We drank wine together till
midnight, then with the false key, I had
made, would steal into my home and
sleep off the effects of my carouse. L
began that sir when l was but ten years
of age. Do you wonder l was a drunk
ard? Ofthose boys, l alone am living.
One of them shot himself, another was
drowned, drunk, and the third was hung
for murder, only two months ago. The
fourth you see is not much better off :
he added with sickly smile.
MY habits began to be known at last
to my parents. 1t came near killing
them. Before l was eighteen l had
been brought home drunk nearly score
of times. Sir, l fought with my habit,
but it mastered me. The fend had me
by the throat.
Strange to say, once when was in
liquor, 1 performed a daring feat. I
caught runaway horse and by sheer
strength succeeded in arresting his mad
course. Would that some power could
have held me so. Twas much applaud
ed for my heroism. But better than all
the praise I heard, were the sweet smiles
upon the white face of the girl I had
saved from a horrible death. She was
driving alone in the city, as had been
her wont for many months. I claimed
the privilege of driving her home, as she
was most thoroughly frightened. Yor
smile, sir, but the exertion, her gratefu
thanks, my own impulses of gratitude
had sobered me. I sprang into the We
hicle and in short time we stopped a
her fathers door. She invited me in
1 thought I would at least describe th
accident and make some apology for m.
unexpected appearance.
l told the story of the narrow escap
to an old man whose brows and hair wer
whitened with the frosts of eighty winter:
1t was the aged grandfather. ChiIdis
. in his JOY, he tottered towards me, an
throwing his trembling arms about N
neck, he kissed me on my cheek.
Many times l have felt that kiss, si
q l was unworthy of 50 pure an ovatio
from such a holy man. l felt myse
2 unworthy CT that dear angels gratitud
as the sweet Annette came il few me-
, ments after, still trembling, still pal
=, and with her misty blue eyes and gel
tie lips thanked me again and again.
In that house, that day. l was feaste
n like prince. There were cousins ar
- aunts there visiting for the summer, al
among them was lion.
l was a good looking fellow then, 81
e and just on The eve Of entering college
II Young as 1 was, if ever man fell
love did there then. Poor child
T. she loved me and I clouded her life.
a. Well, sir, you wait for my story, 1 Sc
After this my calls upon Annette we
+. frequent. l lost my relish for vulg
dissipation, and preferred her society
up that of my former congenial mates.
so | drank-and l did-it was secretly a
,e- 1 always slept it off. My friends a
those of Annette's prophesied a match
re. you see my father was wealthy-I h
slt good expectations, intended to study
ce the law, and was deemed what is callet
desirable catch.
he 1 believe worshiped Annette. S
me was scarcely more than child, but ST
nd a glorious gifted creature. She was
teen, twenty four years between
ib- We were engaged in twelve-month fir
at that time, while was going throu
ed, college.
= For year had successfully resis
my old disease. / called it disease ;
is do now. Remember I did not let
cursed draught alone, as | should.
only kept the appetite in unwholeso
me, subsection. ! applied the knife, but
me, to the right place, and there came
'e a grace and downfall.
One night the students had frolic.
He was the foremost reyeler. They ten
ed me with devilish pertinacity to dr
not to excess. / did 50; grew quarrelso
Ugh and raised a row. In the melee two