The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-02-17
AN OVERWHELMING SPEECH BY A WIDOW,

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address some time since, in the course of
which he related the following anccdote,
with thrilling effect
Mr.. Briggs said tho question of the in
PRODUCTION Of Intoxicating drinks assumed
somewhat of practical from last spring,
in thriving borough in rennsylvania.--
The inhabitants had assembled, as was
their custom, to decide what number, if
any, OF licenses the town should petition
from the county court, from whence they
were issued. There was Il full attendance.
One of the most respectable magistrates
OF the borough presided, and upon the plat
form were seated, among others, the clergy
man Of the village, one of his deacons, and
the physician.
After the meeting had been called to
order, one of the most respectable citizens
Of tho borough rosc aud after a short
speech moved that tho meeting petition for
tho usual number of licenses. They had
better license gooA men, and let them sell.
The proposition seemed to meet with nj.
most universal favor. 1t WAS an excellent
way to get along quietly, and one and then
another in their turn expressed their hone
that such course would be adopted.
The President WAS about to put tho uues-
ton 20 the meeting, when All object rose
in distant part Of the building, and all
eyes were instantly turned in that dircc-
ton. 1t was an old woman, poorly clad,
and whose careworn countcnancc was the
painful index of no light suffering. And
yet there was something in the flash of the
bright eye that told she had once been
what she was not. She addressed the
President and said, width his permission,
she wished to say a few words to the meet
ing. She had como because she heard
that they were to decide the license uues-
ton.
"Iou," said she, all know who I am.
You once knew me the mistress of one of
the best estates in the borough. I once
had husband and five sons and woman
never had kinder husband-motller never
had five better or more affeclionatc sons
But where are they now9 In yonder bury
ing ground there are six graves, filled by
tlat husband and those five sons, aud oh
they are all drunkard's graves. Doctor,
how came they to be drunkards? You
would come and drink with them, and YOU
told them that temperate drinking would
do them good. And you too, sir, address
ing tue clergyman, would come and drink
with my husband; and my sons thought
they might drink with safety, because they
saw you drink. Deacon, you sold them
rum which made them drunkards. You
have now got my farm and all my property,
and you got it all by rum. And now"
she said, I have done my GRAND, 90 back
to the poor house, for that is my home
You, reverend sir, you, Doctor, and you
deacon' | shall never meet again until l
meet you at the bar Of God, where YOU
too will meet my ruined and lost husband,
those five sons, who, through your means
and influence, fill the drunkard's graves"
The old woman sat down. Perfect silence
prevailed, until broken by the President.
who rose to put the question TO the meet
lng-shall we petition the Court to issue
licenses to this borough the ensuing vearo
and then one unbroken "No?" which made
the very walls re-echo with the sound. told
the result Of the old woman's appeal.
nut
'SeosonaNe Adrice.-" Like the gnarled
oak that has withstood the storms and
thunderbolts Of centuries, man himself be.
gins to die at the extremites. Keep the
feet warm and dry, and we can snap our
fingers at disease and doctors. Put or two
pair of thick woolen stockings, but keep
this to yourself; 60 to'some honest son O st.
Crispin, and have your measure taken for a
stout pair of winter boots or shoes: shoes
are better for ordinary every day use, as
they allow the ready escape of the odors,
while they strengthen tho ankles by accus.
toming them to depend on themselves. a
very slight accident is sufficient to cause
sprained ankle to a habi'uated boot -wearcr.
Besides, shoe congresses less, and hence
admits of more vigorous circulation of
the blood. But, wear boots when you ride
or travel. Give directions, also, to have no
cork or India rubber about the soles, but
to place between the layers of the soles,
from out to out, piece of stout hemp or
tow-linen which has been dipped in melted
pitch. This is absolutely impervious to
water-does not absorb particle
We know that cork does, and after awhile
becomes 'soggy' and damp for weeks
When you put them On for the first time,
they will be as easy as an old shoe,' and
you may stand on damp places for hours
with impuuity."-Hau's Journal of Health