Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-06-14
M[ isGGIlanp. /
THE OLD MANS STORY.

l shall never forget The commencement
of the temperance reform. L was child
! at the time of some ten years Of age. Our
home had every comfort, and my parents
idoliZed me, their child. Wine was often
on the table, and both my father and my
mother frequently gave 1t To me in the bot
tom Of the glass.
One Sunday at church startling an
nouncement was made 10 our people. |
knew nothing of its import, but there was
much whispering among the men. The
pastor said that ON the next evening there
would be a meeting, and on address upon
the evils oi intemperance in the use OF al
coholc drinks. lie expressed himself ig-
nurant Of The object OF the meeting, and
could not say what would be best 10 pur
sue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came up at
oar table alter the service, and questioned
my father about it, with all the curious
eagelness OF child. The whisper and
ords which had been dropped in my
hearing. clothed The whole affair in great
mystery 10 me, and | was al eagerness to
learn oi this same strange thing.
My father said IL WAS some scheme TO
unite Church and Stale.
The night came, and troops of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and l heard
the jest and the laugh, and saw drunken
men reeliDS out of the barroom. urged
my father 10 let me go, but he refused.
Finally, thinking it would be an innocent
qualification of my curiosity, he put on his
hat, and passed across the green to the
church. | remember we'll how the people
appeared as they came i'll, seeming to Won
der what kind OF an exhibition was to come
off.
In the corner was the tavern keeper, and
al lound him number of friends.
Foran hour the people of the place con-
tinued to come in, until there was fair
houseful. All were curiously watching
the door, wondering what would appear.
The pastor stole III and took seat behind
pillar under the gallery, as if doubtful of
the proprety of being there at all,
Two men finally came in and went to
the altar, and took their seats. All eyes
were fixed upon them, aud general still
ness pervaded the house.
The men were unlike in appearance, one
being short and thick set Ill build, the
other tall and we'll formed. The younger
had the manner and dress of a clergyman,
Il full, round face, and quiet, good -natured
look, as he leisurely looked round the au-
dience.
But my childish interest was all in The
old man. His broad, deep chest and un-
usual height, looking giant-like, as he
sirode up the aisle. His hair was white,
his brow deeply scanned with burrows, and
around his handsome mouth lines of calm
and touching sadness. His eye was black
and restless, and kndled, as the tavern
keeper uttered low jest aloud. His lips
were compressed, and IA crimson flush went
and came over his pale cheek. One arm
was off above the elbow, and there was a
wild scar over the right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated the
object of the meeting. and asked if there
was clergyman present to open with
prayer.
Our pastor kept his seat, and the speaker
himself made a short prayer, and then
made short address, at the conclusion
calling upon any one present to make re-
marks.
The pastor arose under the gallery, anG
attacked the position of the speaker, using
the argument which l have often heard
since, and concluded by denouncing those
engaged in the new movement as meddle-
some fanatics, who wished to break up the
time honoured usages of good society. and
injure the business of respectable men.
AT the conclusion of his remarks, the tav
ern-keeper and his friends got up cheer,
and the current of feeling was evidently
against the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the old
man fixed his dark eye upon him, and
leaned forward as if to catch every word.
AS the pastor took his seat the old man
arose, his tall form towering in its syme-
try, and his chest swelling as he inhaled
his breath through bis thin, dilated nos
triIs. To me, at that time there was some
thing awe-Inepiring aud grand in the ap-
moi rnu.e Il H. I'D man lp su1I "A ILh