The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-04-22
From the Spirit Of the Ags
'TT WILL MAKE A MAN OF YoU.n


tho likeness of mon, to entice small boys into
grog shops and to the stencil board of whis-
key carts, and give them glass of liquor
bidding them to drink and assuring them
that "it will mako man of you"
Now, we all know by our own experience,
how very anxious tho boy is to DO a man,
and how willing inc is to attempt any feat
which may make him look manly, at least in
the eyes Of Tho world. Tho boys arc ever
striving to be men and to ape their man
ners, and it is surprising how near they ap.
proach their standard, when their juvenility
is considered. We sec their proficiency de-
monstratcd in their feats Of tobacco chewing
and smoking cigars. Their skill in these
two man-like accomplishments is perfectly
overwhelming. 1t may have caused them
many trials, many desperate sick spells even
until earth, trees and houses seemed TO
whlrl round at railroad speed but what of
that now! Tho harvest rcpays the toll.
They are like men. they can puff like
locomotive and squirt like a whale!
This instructive desire to appear like men
llnds the boy an easy prey to any tempting
iicnd who may choose to approach him with
a glass of whskey and Il hint that the drink
ing Of the like of that is calculated to in
crease his stature and render him more man :
like in his department. The bait is greedily
swallowed, and unless the potion was too
large for the first, causing downright drunk
cnnsss, the little aspirant after manhood's
honors is very apt to think from his feelings
that he must be full several inches taller.
The whiskey may burn their little throats
and cause them to vince and make crima.
ces like they do under the administration OF
doctors dose of worm oil and turpcntine,
yet their confidence in the remedy TO pro-
duce the results they so much wish, causes
them to hide their grimaccs behind their
coat sleeves and bear the throat burning in
silence. They arc not long, however, in
learning the art Of taking drink without
making wry face. A few repcti,ions OF
tho dose arouscs a taste and thirst for the
destructive liquid. They soon begin to
oter about the grog-shops and whiskcy
carts, and avail themselves Of every oppor-
tunity to get drink. While they are yet
boys the fatal habit Of drinking has riveted
itself upon their very nature. 1t has grown
with their growth, and strengthened with
their strength.
1t does not require prophet to foretcll
what their end will DO. 1t is perhaps safe
to say that nothing short of the interposi,ion
of Divine Providence can turn them from
the way that leads to death and to the hope.
less gloom Of drunkard's grave. The
habit is so firmly fixed that no matter how
much tho victim may desire to cast it off,
he finds himself powerlcss. lie might al
most as we'll try to change the shape of his
head or his liver.
Parents should have these facts in view
and lay them to heart. They should keep
an eye upon their boys and guard them
from the tempting influences of the class
We have indicated in the commencement of
this article. This vampire set are to be
found in every community, eager to lead
the young away from the paths of virtue
and sobricty, and nothing gives them more
pleasure than to induce the son of tenn
perance man TO take a drink, and thus make
the first step in the road to destruction in
which they run riot. What punishment
ought to be inflicted upon these tempting
demons, we arc not prepared to say. None
can fix the proper penalty, except it be a
parent whose son has been thus led as
tray.