Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-01-06
JANUARY s. leg

tier his marriage, when his friends began to
notice that he had contracted the habit OF
using intoxicating drinks, and indulged IN
them rather too freely.
Those who felt themselves privileged to
do SO, mentioned the matter TO him and en-
deayored to persuade him to give up the
practice altogether But he only laughed
at them, assured them that he was IN NO
danger, and continued to take his glass
whenever it suited him.
Thus matters continued for some time,
until those who had his interest and well
fare most at heart, and were panied to per-
Iceive tllaf instead Of getting better, he was
1 growing worse, and that the habit of using
Intoxicating drinks was gaining greater
they sstIa apf5roacsfass Ceusequent !
HIM for the sako-~el. 1Sn- stnt iInp10fss r.
his friends to leave off the pfcrtncrUus nauH.
But this time he grew angry at what he
termed their unwarrantable interference IN
his affairs, told them he was a free man
and capable Of Judging for himself in the
matter, and that when he considered HIM
self in any danger of becoming what they
SO much feared, drunkard, he. would
stop drinking.
Thus met in their well-meant efforts tC
promote his good, his friends left him tc
pursue his own way, trusting that through
some good influence he might see the er
ror of his way and reform. Not so with
his wife, however. She did not cease tC
entreat him to abandon the course he wa:
pursuing, and prayed increasingly for his re
formation. And in response to her tears
and entreaties he again and again promised
to quit drinking. But his promises were
broken as often as they were made, and ht
continued to grow worse and worse.
His business, which had been Aourishins
and profitable as long as it received hi
personal attention, for lack Of it now began
to decrease until it came to almost moth
ing, and he found himself broken mer
chant. This event sobered him complete
", for while He rallied himself and 70
time his friends thought that he woul
again become temperate man. But val
were their hopes. He soon relapsed int
his old habits, and became worse than b
was before.
Having nothing to trouble him now, h
gave himself up almost entirely to the il
toxicating cup, left his family dependel
upon his friends for support, and spent IL
greater portion of his time in the bar-roon
and grog- shops.
Matters continued in this state unt
about six months before the time our sketC
opens, when his wife and Es;Ar4s ;l,.,4 ;-l'l j
= sI-,ood him to make an effort TO oursC :,
lIsa nl,a;ns of intemperance, and reform. u
0fe''.l9 u. Ill hoan successful, and at the TN
eii0.ss .S, 'l'sFs Nm ia fta reader, he n
u Net tasted & urop or ardent spirits lor NC
than six months, and was regarded by
friends and the community as an entire
2 reformed man.
His friends had given him another st
and he was again doing prosperous OF
#, ness with fair prospects OF realizing
tune.
The conversation given above passed
tween him and his wife, christmas me
inp, lust as he was about leaving home
nd his store. where his presence was requ
ne for a short time on that day.
no. HAVING transacted his business helef
Ter store and started off for the purpose OF
itine a few of his friends, upon whom
we had been invited to call on that da
The Amongst them was a gentleman by
name Of CRANKY, who had very rece
came to the city, and with whom Mlt
ton had become acquainted IN the ordl
course of business.
;. Upon entering the house OF his
mode acouaintance he found a small
aT0
several ladies. Upon table IN the
were set out variety of refreshments
pro- fcludinc all the different kinds OF VINE
LIQUORS, and a large bowl of egS-no
beverage which is considered by som'
now SONS indispensable to the proper obser
and of christmas festivities.
! to The assembled guests seemed to
,e of loving themselves pleasantly conver
mon was lively jokes and wlthe,sns were
,e Of ed freely, and flow of good spirits s. s.
mise to pervale all present. The refresh
were partaken Of freely and the b
not egg-nogg particularly received a
me-" share OF the patronage. =,
dear M;ddIeton's friend on account OF h
: you tied acquaintance with him, had no
which informed of his previous habits OF DIR
,er in and his subsequent reformatlon ne
on is fore did not hesitate to invite, ant
d and press him to join there In glass OF
yield thing in celebration Of the chnstm
We sui son. ;, -,
strong aCome friend, Middleton" said
happy he had introduced him to the co
doned ''ill up a glass and JOIN US IN a
romse Christmas humber.
in the i thank you,' replied Middleton,
offered BEG that YOU will excuse me.
Not bit of it, my dear fellow,
Of the renlv I'VE won't doanything of the
will You must join US in a Christmas
comes but once year, you know,
ss, and yourself. Here's egg-nogg, wne'
as her or any thing you desire. :.
owards i must again be excused repll
dleton. i am not in the habit OF il
'er that in ardent spirits.
timate- Are YOU Son OF 1empefah
ers thus quired his host.
sNo!''
NC mer- well then there can De no ilarl
Ie was taking glass of egg-nogg with yo,
5 of age, on Christmas day. One glass VIII
ion, and YOU, so take hold. oee our III
n up to waiting Saying which he fill
ned, and GLASS Of egg-nogg and presented
elf npon Alas! could he have foreseen
{ which oonseouences that were to follow
GLASS he would have dashed 1t
all had hand that was extended to take
q year af- floor, ere it could have been pla'