The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-03
Social Improvement


Shall they carry out from their homes one evil
influence Shall they. in time to come. fall
by the way side cut down by the Demon of
the Cup. and, in their dying hours. curse the
example whence they derived the appetite
O-for our children-for those two boys-for
the men we hope to see them-for the sweet
memories we would have them cherish Of
their bome-for the good old age they may
reap-let us cast this thing out-now and for.
ever.
Cora kissed her husband as sbe ceased speak
ing; aud then he arose to his feet; but he made
her no reply. t 77#H
.''enry-you are not offended ?
No. he said He re urned her kiss, and
without another word, left the house and went
to bis store.
How strangely did circumstances work to
keep the idea his wife had given him alive in
his mind. That very morning he met youth
the son of one of his wealthy friends-n
state of intoxication; and during the forenoon
he heard that .oung Aaron G had died at sea.
He knew that Aaron had been sent away from
hone that he might he reclaimed. li
After the bank had closed, and as Henry
Seaburn was thinking of going to his dinner,
he received a note through the Penny Post.
1t was a from a me4ical friend, and contained
request that he would call at the hospital on
his way home. This hospital was not much
out of his way. and he stopned there
There is man in one of the lower wards
who wishes 10 see you said the doctor.
Does he know me p asked Seaburn.
He says he does.
What is his uameP
He wont tell US. He goes by the name of
Smith; but am satisfied that such is not his
name. He is in the last stage of consumption
and delirium He has lncid intervals, hut they
do not last long He has been here a week
He was picked mp in the street and brought
here He heard your name and said he knew
YOU once
Mr.. Seaburn went to the room where the
patient lay and looked at him. Surely he
never knew that mani There must be some
mistake he said.
The invalid heard him, and opening his eyes,
such bloodshot, sunken, unearthly looking
eyes
Harry he whispered. trying to lift himself
upon his elbow, is this Harry SeaburI 2
THAT is my name ....
And don't you know me
I'm sure do not
Have you forgotten yonr old playmate in
boyhood, Harry-your friend in other years
your chum in college P
WHAT gasped Seaburn, starting back
aghast, sthis is not Alec. Lomberg!
'All that's left of him, my Hail. returned
the poor fellow. putting forth his wasted, skel
eton haud. and smiling faint, quivering, dy-
ing smile. sAh-PATER, PECcAvI
Alexander Lombergr sai! Henry, gazing
into the bloated and disfgured face before him.
sYou wouldn't have known me, Hal :,
Good Heavens-no! .......
L know I am altered All, Hal, sic transit
gloria mundir
Bet Alec cried Ssaburn, how ID this |!
Whv are yon here ?
Run! Hal-Rum! I'm about done for.
But wanted to see you. They told me you
lived not far away: and would look upon one
friend before die
Bot ! heard you we're practising in your
profession Alec, and doing well.
SO did do we'll when practised, Hal, !
have made some pleas; but I've given up all
that
sAnd your father-where is bef'
Don't mention him, Hal We've broken.
don't know him. He taught me TO drink
Aye-he taught mel-and then turned the
cold shoulder upon me when | drank too
much! But-I'm going Hal'-going, goins !!
| Henry Seaburn gazed into that horrible
face, and remembered what its owner had
been:-the son of wealthy pareuts; the idol
of fond mother; the favorite at school, al
play, and at college: light of intellect and
physical beauty: and a noble generous friend.
And now-Alas!
'Alec-can help your
Yes And the poor fellow started higher
up from his pillow. and something of the old
light struggled for moment in his eye
Pray for me, Hail. Pray for my soul! Pray
that may go where my mother is! She
! won't disown her boy-she couldn't have doue
it had che lived-Oh! She was good moth
er Hal. Thank God she didn't live to see
this! Pray for me-pray-pray!-Let me
60 to her? s-a
AS the wasted man sank back he fell te
weeping, and in moment more one of his
paroxyisms came on, and he began to rave
He thought Harry was bis father, and he ours
ed him; and cursed the habit that had beer
fastened upon him under that father influence
But Henry could not stop to listen. With ar
aching heart ne turned away and left the hos
pital He could not go home to dinner then
He walked down town. and got dinner there
At night he went to the hospital again. He
would inquire after his friend, if be did not see
him.
poor fellow said the physician, he never
came out of that 6t. He did in half an hour
after you went out
1t was dark when Henry Seaburn reached
his home.
; .You didn't tell Bridget where to put thoss
: demiiohus, Henry said bis wife. Sht
had not noticed his face, for the gas was burn
ing but dimly.
fAh-I forgot Come down with me, Cora
and we'll find place for them
His vile followed him down into the base
} ment; and, one by one, he took the demyohn'
and carried them into the rear yard, and there
be emitted their contents into the sewer
Then he broke the vessels in pieces with hi
: foot. and bade Bridget have the dirt man TAXI
8 the fragments away in the morning. Not ON
word had he spoken to his wife all the
while nor did she speak 10 him. He returne'
to the sitting room, where his boys were a
their books, and took seat upon one of tn
t tete tetes. He called his wife and his chi
n dren about him. and then told them the stor
of Alexander Lomberg.
And now, my loved ones he added layin
bis hands upon the heads of bis boys, i hav
:. made a solemn VOW that, henceforth, my chld
Il rem shall find no such influences in their home
a They shall never have occasion to curse tn
= example of their fatherf will touch th
. wine-cup no more forever! What say you m
bovs-will you join me in this pledgef
,. They Joined him with q glad, gushing wi