Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1858-10-09
For the Telegraph.
epeak Kindly to the Inebriats.
NJ hrs p. EoBERrsoN.

Pass not by those erring degraded ones,
with scorn and neglect. Speak kind, and
loving words to them, the fragrance of which
viii linger with them, in many an after
hour. There may come time, when the
little ones, we so fondly cherish, and around
winch, Sc raany bright hopes cluster, may
be brought low. by this monster Intemper-
ance. Then let MS do unto Others, as We.
would have them do nnto us. Speak to
them Of that kind indulgent father, Of that
fond, tendsr,bearted mother, whose love
never filtered, nor failed for her wayward,
erring child. Speak to theta Of the wife Of
their youth, who went early, broken-heart.
ed, to her long rest in the grave, and of
the little ones God gave them Play upon
their heart-strings, there is some chord, if
rightly touched, will vibrate Tell them
there is hope for even them, that he who
said "come unto me all We who are weary
will hear and give them rest. Many times
met an old man who went by the sobri-
quet-"the old drunkard." / had known
him in my early days, ss respectable, and
influential citizen, when sunny-haired chill
dren, played around his hearthstone, and
eager little ones, ran to meet him, and a
loving wife welcomed him to his pleasant
fresidc Bat shadow came over that
happy home, it deepened and darkened, until
the hearts of those fond parents we're we'll
nigh broken.
One by one their household treasures
sickened, dropped, and died, and
They LAID their little ones To- rest,
Laid their little forms so cold
With tiny bud upon each breast,
In the solemn church-yard old.
Well do ] remember my own dear moth
er, leading me to look upon my little play
mates WilIie's and Nellie C's shreuded forms
as they lay in their tiny coffin, smtten IN
the same day. tog gsther, they went up to
him who says. "suffer little children to come
unto me-" Many years have come and gone
since we stood beside the open grave of the
last Of that little band but still seem to
hear that heart-brcken wall of anguish,
wrang from that guilt stricken father and
mother, as the Garth fell upon that little
coffin, "a sound we all shrink FROM as the
"man of God" repeated, "earth to earth,
dust to dust" &C. There was none nowto
make childish music in their oRcc happy
home. The mothers step grew feeble and
slow, as il the burden of sorrow she bore,
was too much for her tender frame. A
year rolled by carrying with it, many crush
ed hopes, and blighted prospects, and they
made longer grave close by those little
grassy mounds, but this time the father
was alone with his grief. The mother was
with her darlings, she had gone where sor'
row does not come, nor flowers do not bloom
to die. Do you wonder When that world
weary man, returned 60 his desolate home,
where there were none now, to quiet him
with loving words and gentle caresses' be
who had ever been moderate drinker, and
had not put his trust in him who says, he
will be with us in all troubles, should seek
the intoxicating bowl TO drown his grief,
yes, he drank until the demon Alcohol
held him RrmIy iP bis grasp, and TO day BIG
wauders your streets, drnnkard. Home,
friends, health, wealth, all gone, A lone,
old man. Think Of this. little children, aud
do not boot st him, and call him the Old
drupkard. 1t may be your father win not
always be able to resist temptation, when
the early yiolets shall be blossOmiRg above
your young heads. Take him kindly By the
hand. and lead him out Of the hot sunshine
that is scorching his gray hair, and give him
glass Of cold water Perhaps be VIII think
il Is his lost little ones returned 70 him, bis
better feelings be aroused, and he Yet be
saved. Again met bin. and as grasped
his hand and spoke Of the past, bis eye