Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-06-30
& Thrilling Story.

| never shall regret the commence
ment of the temperance refolmation.-
| was q child at the time, Of some ten
years Of age. Our home had every
comfort, and my kind parent idolized
me. their child. Wine was often on
table, and both my father and my
mother frequently gave it to me i'll the
bottom Of the morning glass.
One Sunday at church, a startling
announcement was made to our people.
| knew nothing ofits purport, but there
was much whispering among the men.
The pastor said that on the next even
ing there would be & maeting, and an
a ldress upon the evils Of intemperance
in the use Of alcoholic drinks. He ex-
pressed himself ignorant Of the object
Of tAS meeting, and could not say what
course it would be best to pursue in the
matter.
The subject Of the meeting came I'D
at our table after the service. and |
questioned my father about it with all
the eagerness ofa child. The whispers
and words which had been dropped in
my hearing, clothed the whole affair
with great mystery to me and I was
AL eagerncss to learn the strange thing.
My father said it was some scheme to
unite church and state.
The night came, and groups Of peo-
pie gathered on the tavern steps and |
heard the jests and the laugh, and saw
drunken men come reeling out of the
bar-room. | urged nay father to let me
go, but he at first refused. Finally
thinking it would be an innocent graft
icat,on to my curiosity, he put on his
hat and we passed across the green to
the church. / well remember how the
people appeared as they came in, seem
i1g to wonder what kind Of an exhibi-
ton was to come off.
In the corner was the tavern-keeper.
and around him number of his friends.
For an hour the people of the place
continued to come in, uutil there was q
fair house full. All were curiously
watching the door, and apparently won.
dering what would next appear The
pastor stole in, and took his seat behind
a pillar under the gallery as if doubtful
Of the propriety Of being in the cuurch
at all.
The men finally came in and went for.
ward to the altar and took their seats
All eyes were fixed upon them, and a
general stiffness prevailed throughout
the house.
The men were unlike in appearance
one being short, thick set in his build
and the other tall and we'll formed
The Younger had the manner and dress
of clergyman, a full round face, and
quiet, good natured look. as he leis
urely looked around over the audi
ence.
But my childish interest was all il
the Old man. His broad, deep chest
and unusual height, looked giant like
as he strobe slowly up the aisle. Hi:
hair was white, his brow deeply seam
ed with burrows, and around his hand
some mouth, lines of calm and touchine
sadness. His eye was black and rest
less, and klndled as the tavern-keepe
uttered a low jest aloud. His lips were
compressed, and a crimson flush wen
and came over his pale cheek. One
arm was off above the elbow. and
there was a wide scar over the rich
eye. =.
The younger finally arose and STATED
the objects Of the meeting, and asked
ifthere was clergymanpresent to opel
it with prayer. Our pastor kept hi
seat, and the speaker himself made
short prayer, and then made short ad
dress, at the conclusion, calling upo,
any one present to make remarks. Th
pastor arose by the gallery, and attack
ed the position ofthe speaker, usingth
arguments which l have often hear,
since, and concluded. by denouncin,
lshose engaged IN the new movement