Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-02-10

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. PLEDGE.

Mr.. EDITOR 1T has been made notori-
GUS that this Town is, or was more noted
for drunkenness than any other village in
the Union. But | am happy to tell you,
that wonderful reformation has recently
occurred. The circumstances that led to
the reformation will be shown in the fol-
lowing dialogue, which occurred with my
friends DR.. S-h and Col. D--d
which chanced to hear one morning in
room adjoining my own. The Doctor on
entering the ColonePs room remarked -
Good morning COL, l am happy to see
you.
CoLoNEL.-Be seated DIR. andlet's have
the news.
DocroR.-Well Col. l have good neps
this morning.
CoL.-What, Doctor?
DR.-Well sir, in our little Town, so
noted for drunkenness and drunkards, near
ly all have assumed solemn obligation;
mot to use as beverage any alcoholic
liquors."
CoL.-Impossible, DR.! | was there
Christmas, and nearly every man IN Town
uas slight" or getting so. So DR.. l fear
you have been msinformed.
DR.-Oh no, Col! it is certainly so for
am just from town and have seen the
"PIsdge" and am happy to inform you
that large majority Of the citizens, as we'll
as my own name, is affixed thereto.
CoL.-Your own name! the D-I it is
DR.-Why certainly, Colonel
CoL.-Why DR.. you have never been in
the habit even of drinking dram; why
did you sign the "pledge 2"
Dwell sir, to lend my feeble aid in
breaking down the immoral influence Of
that monster King Alcohol
CoL.-Well, well, Dr., this is a strange
way of doing business; all turned Temper
ance men at once! | am fearful that they
will not stick.
sDa.-The D-I,,ears.' Col.1 wifen men
Of their o50n free 0iU pledge themselves to
their God, their country and to each other
Why it is saying roundly, that they are
without firmness and are dishonest.
CoL.-Oh Dr., you misunderstood me
was only intending to tell you, that man,
of them have been accustomed to drinl
"strong drinks" for several years; and ;
little too, of morning, which you know
is well calculated to give one an appetite
and those who have so long been IN tn
habit of using their morning "6'tters
cannot we'll do without.
DR.-Pshaw COL; that is all stuff; it
true, to a certain extent it revives an app
tite that has been already destroyed by i
use.
CoL.-WilI you not admit that alch
; holic drinks are useful in many instances
: DR.-Very few, indeed. | scarce kno
Of anv one who has been benefited
: their use; but on the other hand, | $
y hundreds and thousands vending their W;
= through this world who once, bid fair
1; fill high and important stations in life, al
: baseful citizens. But alas the bloat
e cheek, the rolling eye and tottering st
/! soon snatches from society its choicest fruit
o nipped, blasted and gone forever.
u CoL.-Pray tell me, do you see a
e change in the manners Of the place sin
le the "pledge" was signed?
y DR.-Change! why "By George"
Il, appears like an eternal Sabbath, you c
Ill scarcely ever see the "Doggery" door op
O. The "Doggery keeper" "poor fellow J?
II The drunkards are now all ashamed of h
W and his former companions {" of the dog
re ry') have all forsaken him; and he sta
Sc and stretches about through town all alC
IN (that is, without so large crowd OF :"
OF eyes.") Really, am sorry for him, aV
ce from his grog shop he is kind hear
er' sort Of "teller."
~, Coll sincerely trust the Pied
It! will do great deal Of good. But
on DR.-We are anxious you would S
,as the Pledge" For my own part, |
lor sure, that You are capable of exercising
Sc. immense influence in its favor.
ltn Coll do not know. If though
VIII would be of any benefit to my count
=. would leave off the habit and never t
'his "the. good critter" again.
DR.-Take my word for it, and let's
my your name.
re- CoL.-My hand has always been sire
lem ed out to do my friends good, hand me
or' pledge. There it is, in as large letter
nee John Hancock" and may all stand as
nat and true as he did to his cause.
am DR.-Shaking him heartily by the /
nee we'll done my FRIEND.
fore B.