Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-01-13
F or the Spirit of the Age.
The Influence of a Wicked Example.

In the Bar-room of one of the principal Ho-
tells in the town OF P, a year ago last
New Years day, perhaps, might have been
seen some eighteen or twenty men, the ma
jority of whom were evidently followers of
Bacchus, assembled around blazing fire and
-a y i ssms e * ted n n the
of a clear off, &C., others sat silently by, eth
er putting a cigar or scientifically squirting
the juice of the old virginia weed now and
then rising for a wee bit of old Monongahe-
Ia or Nick Williams best, alias the chief
curse of Man.
Before proceeding farther, let me introduce
to the reader Mr.. A. who occupies a seat
in the midst of the crowd. He wears a blue
cloth coat, and from the locks of his hair
which is becoming silvered, together with the
unnatural color of his face, we will at once
perceive that he has long been a devoted fol-
lower of his master, the god above mentioned.
Fortunately he has no family. He is rich
which circumstance will perhaps partly &C
count for such universal silence pervading the
room when he speaks. But to the story =
In this state of affairs, Mr.. c. a young
merchant of the village, of the highest respec-
liability, Though unfortunately he had recent
ly gotten into bad habits enters the room,
} and after having passed the common c~ivilities
VI IlO, l6 duuIGSStS q mluulG dgeQ man, VINO
( for convenience we shall call DIR. >, as
follows =
"Well, DR., thatinstrument of writing about
6 which we had a consultation yesterday, I
! have drawn up, and am now ready with YOU
to sign it"
"What is it," "what is it ?' asks Mr..
A, with half dozen different voices fol-
lowing.
! ut is an Instrument says Mr.. c.,
''pledging our honors as gentlemen not to
i drink any more intoxicating liquors for the
! year 1857, as we are thoroughly convinced
that we have injured ourselves materially by
the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage
and as this is the first day of the new year,
we have resolved to abolish the use of liquors
of all kinds entirely, at any rate for the ensu
ing year. We are also anxious to get as many
to go in with US as we can. Is there any one
present tonight who is willing to go in with
us ?"
castor my part" says Mr.. A. II shan
sign any such obligation, for whenever | fee
like taking a dram, / expect to do so, ant
u whenever | discover that it is injuring me, i
l am not MAJ enough to quit without sign
ing a pledge, l shall never quit"
Nor IT, 'Nor II -'rNor L" followe,
from almost every one in the crowd.
re Neither will l." says DR.. o.. after
ID moments reflection, influenced by what MI
i A. had said, which was immediately en-
dorsed by the crowd, and who the momen
- before, pen in hand, was ready to sign an Ir
10 strument of writing which Tin considerable
nd of the high moral worth which he Justly p:
Ike ces upon his honor as a g~entleman) woul
a doubtless have saved him from the conditio
which he now occupies.
Readerl another wear has elansed since fl
scene which [ have endeaYored to DESERT
took place. Another New Years day gone
and DR.. o., and Mr.. c. continue
worship at the shrine of Bacchus with ST
greater devotion. They have twice resolvt
ne to abolish the use of the hellish draught sin
ylv January 1st 1857, and have as often failed
their resolutions: and l fear that the DEM
has such indoHaitable sway over their apr
~ u tites as to render a reformation exceeding
III improbable, if not altogether impossible.
els DR.. o. has a large family depende
I'm, upon him for a livelihood, and sad to relat
,ye every thing he has is now advertised to
arv sold under the Sheriff hammer. Fortuna
lv Mr.. c. has no family.
=. And now, in conclusion, I would saw. /;
dressing the moderate drinker (as he IN
2 a term himself) and the habitual drunkard ;
nay you are bent on your own present and eft
the nal destruction; if yon are determined to
ong lure all whom you can BY the influence
,ous your example, as you must of necessity do
,zan less you abolish the use of spirituous lou,
entirely, Gas every one, no matter how ms
~niicant, has some influence l beg Of you
flsV Gods sake, for the sake of poor human
ave and for the sake of the glorious cause of Z,
~perance, nerer persuade your associates