The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-12-09

81 tH'l az aye
His eyes dropped; he raised them again,
aud answered.
Rum =
That brief word +! In my mind it is
associated with all the horrors of hell.
Presently he continued.
4 have dirgraced an honorable name,
sir; | am bringing my family to shame,
and yet have not the nerve to be bet
ter man.
| was indignant at this confession. He
saw it and continued
DO not blame ne, sir--you have not
had my trial. have fallen from high
place. Eighteen moIths ago l was
lieutenant in the navy
Is it possible ? Twas startled, shock
ed.
Yes, sir, possible; reality, sir His
lip quiyered as he added-'I have bro
ther in the pulpit; fine preacher, man
loved and respected. How do you sup
pose he feels | have a rich brother in
New York. They have both tried their
best to save me.
L was ruined in my youth. There is
q large oil store on the corner of NJ and
l.. streets. You have have doubtless
seen it. Before his death. my father car
ried on that business. | went there reg
ularly after it was closed for the day,
stealing from my home, often from my
bed, for the purpoSe of carousing with
three fellows of my own age. We told
stories, We drank wine together till mid
night, then, with the false key had made,
| would steal into my home aud sleep off
the effects of my carouse. | began that,
sir, when | was but ten yeaas of age. Do
you wonder | was drunkald OF these
boys, [ 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 a
,ickly smile.
NJ habits began to be known, at last,
to my pareuts. 1t came near killing them.
Before | was ei ighteen, had been brought
home drunk nearly score of times. Sir,
| fought with NY habit, but it mastered
NE. The feDa had me by the throat.
Strange to say, once when | was in IL
quor, l performed daring feat. caught
runaway horse, and by sheer strength
succeeded in arreSting his mad course
Would that some power could have held
me so. was much applauded for my
heIoi,n, but better tLan all the praise l
heard were the sweet smiles upon the
white face Of the girl had saved from
horrible death. She was driving alone
10 the city, as had been her wont for
months. l claimed the privilege of dri-
wing her hou.e, as she was most thorough
y frightened You smile sir; but the ex-
ertioD, her grateful thanks, my own in
pulse Of gratitude, bad sobered ne. I
sPrapg Into the vehicle, and in short
tme wc stopped at her fathers door
She invited me in. | thought would at
least describe the accident, and make
some apology for uy unexpected appear
aDoe.
1 told the story OF the narrow escape
to an o!l man whose brows aud hair were
wbiicued With the frOsts Of eighty winters.
It sas tie aged grandfather; childish in
his joy. be tottered towards ue, and
throwing bis arms about ny neck, be
kissed ne Oh the cheek.
Many times l have felt that kiss, sir.
was unworthy of so pure an ovation
from such holy man. | felt myself un-
worthy of that dear angels gratitude, as
the sweet Annette came in few moments
after, still trembling, still pale, and with
her misty blue eyes aud gentle lips, than
kcd me again aud again. In that house,
that day, [ was feasted like a prince
There were cousins ADD aunts there visit
ing for the SUN uer, and among them |
was a lion.
| was good looking fellow then, sir,
aud just or the e.e Of entering college.
Young as | was, if ever man fell in
love, did there aud then. Poor child
So she loved me, and clouded her whole
lile.'
We'll, sir, you wait for my story, see.
After this my calls upon Annette were
frequent. | lost my relish for vulgar dis
sipation, and preferred her society TO that
of my former congenial mates. If | drank
and | did-it was secretly, and l al
ways slept it of. My friends and those
of Apuetta prOphesied match you see
my father was wealthy-I had good ex-
pectatons--iutended to study for the
law, and was deemed desirable catch.
Il believed | worshipped Annette
She was scarcely more than child, but
sueh glorious gifted creature. She was
fifteen, | twenty-five years between US.
We were engaged in twelvemonth from
that time, while | was going through col
lege.
For year | had successfully resisted
nv old disease. ! called it disease. | do
now. Remember, did not let the cursed
drausht alone, as | should have done. |
only kept the appetite in unwholesome
subsection. applied the knife, but not
to the right place. and there caue dis
grace and downfall.
'One night the students bad froiic. |
was the foremost reveller. They tempted