Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-04-14

intend to order a bottle of champagne inI
this saloon, and you must join me throw
aside your foolish fancies-a glass of wine
will not hurt you"
"My father" said Julius, with a tremu-
lous voice, commenced life with high
hopes; he secured the heart and hand Of a
beautiful and accomplished lady /; one eve
ry way calculated to soothe the troubled
current of life: for time the stream of
conjugal bliss flowed smoothly on; their
happiness was complete; but soon their
happy bowers were invaded by the serpent
Dss'4aeo eo1iiy 'lsftrer ss7ssrrett -ro 70
take glass Of wine; he soon became a
Wlne-blbber--wine soon ceased to offer the
required stimulation he sought strong
drink, and 'strong drink is raging" in
plain terms, he became a drunkard. Nv
mother, exposed to all the indignities of an
lnebriate's wife, soon died of a broken
heart; my father, covered with shame, and
stung with deep remorse, plunged deeper
and deeper into the sea of intoxication he
soon fell victim to intemperance in
truth, murdered by the first glass of aOine,
Often have | listened, with fearful eyes,
while the cause Of their unhappy end was
related to me and over their graves have
vowed never to touch the wine-glass."
"Forgive me, JULIUS" said the Young man.
grasplng his hand and in silence they
pursued their way to the hotel.
A few evenings after this, julius and his
companion were invited to a party given
by one of the wealthiest and most respect
able citizens of that city the elite of the
city were there; wealth, beauty and intel
ligence had met together there to worship
at the shrine Of Pleasure. Silver eoblets
hlled with choice wine were handed round:
julius observed that no one refused; gen
tlemen drank to the health of the :sfair
beauties" that sat beside them; this was
truly an hour Of trial with poor julius
must he be the only one that refused He
trembled as the waiter approached him
the lady next to him took the goblet; a
refusal was upon the lips of Julius; but,
no; what would the conn mpany say9 Would
1t not be treating the young lady with cold
ness not to drink to her health /? He reach
ed forth his hand, and took the proffered
beaker; but it trembled as if it held a
salamander, instead of the tankard; twice
he raised it to his lips, and took it away
again; the young lady observing this, with
bewitching smile, said: "You surely V do
not love wine; | assure you this is excel
lent; never did the gods quaff sweeter nee
fxed TX dsiii1R upo,.t th;sc2 -.
his seat, covered with confusion; his face
crimsoned with bushes but suddenly,
with quick movement, he raised the COB
let to his lips, and quaffed its contents at
draught. The gentleman of the house per-
celvlng his confusion, came forward to re-
lieve him from embarrassment, and said ::
"My young friend, you will soon get rid of
these scruples; such wine as this will nev-
er lnJure you; remember what Shakespeare
says: ''Good wine is good, familiar spirit,
if it be we'll used" Julius soon became
calm and collected again, and the remain
der Of the evening passed off pleasantly.
Julius yielded. The willy tempter con-
euered he who had mourned with deep
sorrow from his infancy the melancholy
and fatal effects of wine, had now bowed
to the gittering goddess of Fashion, and
sacrificed upon her altar the VOW he had
made over his parents tomb. Truly,
Fashion is heartless, and her wild caprice
Seeks every folly that can martyr peace"
Julius was studying the legal profession
in the city, and during the winter he was
guest at several parties, at all of which
he never failed to drink wine. The win
ter passed away, and spring came; Julius
had finished his studies, and was admitted
to the bar. His heart throbbed rapturous-
ly when he gained his first case, as he
thought of future fame; but, alas alas it
was but a dream his bright hopes were
destined to fade away, like the silvery light
Of the stars before the rising glory of the
sun!
With his brother members of the bar he
was in the habit Of drinking but, as yet,
he was by no means drunkard; but alas!
in the pathway to drunkard's grave p
His business prospered cases of great i'm
portance were entrusted to him soon his
name went abroad as lawyer Of merit and
a man of genius and had it not been for
the Intoxicating cup, few of his profession
would have equaled him. He was rapidly
becoming a fine orator and skillful jnrist;
he stood high in the confidence of the peo-
pie, and his society was courted by all who
knew him. But soon the love of strong
drink overcame him; he became negligent
and careless; cases given him were lost
for want of proper attention; he spent
more time at the tavern than he did in his
office; losing the respect Of the people, he
was soon reduced to very limited circum.
stances the tavern became the place o
his evening resort. He was found now on.
ly in the society Of drunkards; his effect:
were all squandered for liquor; even his
law-books were sold to crafty the craving:
of depraved appetite.
He who few months before was loved
and respected by all who knew him, now
wandered about the streets, Stunned and
unnoticed by those who were once his bo-
som friends.
On, thou invincible spirit of wine! what
misery do you not create! What crimes
art thou not the originator of! Thou lea
dest men from the paths of honor and rec
titude, to sing Bacchanalian songs in /:
brothel; yea, thou TEMPEST some to turr
back when they have almost reached the
goal, where the ehaplet of fame is ready
woven to adorn their brows, to sacrifice
upon thy altar, health, peace and happi
ness!
Ono dark rainy nirht IuIiuc with :