The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-05-26

no ce-totaler.'
Henry said his wife, with an earnest
look into his face. will you answer me a
few questions i--aud answer them hon.
estly and truly, without equiVocation OF
evasion =
Bless me, how mcthodically you put it,
Cora. Bot | will answer
'Then--frst Do you believe you, or your
friends, are in any way benefited by the
drinking of intoxicating beverages at your
board That is--do you derive any real
good from It'll
Mo- cant say that we do
DO you think the time has ever been,
since VIC were married, when we actually
needed wine in the house, either for our
health or comfortF
'Why--I think it has ministered to our
comfort, Cora
'Howl'
'O--in many ways
Name one of thea
Why in the enjoyment of our guests.
'Ab, but | am speaking of ourselves,
Heury-of you and me, and your own
little family. Has it ever ministered to
our coufortl'
'No-I can't say that it has
Aud if il was banshed from our house
to-day aud forever, as beverage, should
we suffer in consequence =
Certainly. What would our frind-'
'Ab-but stop. am only speaking of
u cl. IL
by onr own fresiie. want all extran-
eous considerations left out. Should We,
as family, suffer. in our moral. physical,
social, or domestic a8arrs in the total
absence Of this beverage!'
'No--I don't know that We should.
Then to you. as a husband, and faith
er, and as a man, it is of no earthly use!'
No
And it would cost you no fort, SO far
as you alone are concerned, to break
clear from it
Not a PARTICLE
Aud now, Henry, pursued the wife,
with increased earne-tness. i have a few
more questions to ask: Do you believe
that the drinking of Intoxicating beyera-
ges is an evil in this country!'
'Why-as it is now going on, l certain
ly do
and isn't it an evil in societyl'
Yes
Look oyer this city, and tell me if it is
not a terrible evil
a terrible evil grows out of the abuse
oft. Cora
And will you tell me what good grows
out of the use of it!
'Really, love-when you come down to
this abstract point you have the field
But people should govern their appetites.
All these things may be abused
yes. Bat will you tell ne the use-the
real cood-to be derived from drinking
vine and brandy!'
AS | said before-it is a special Gus
tom, aud has its charms.
'Ah--there you have it, Henry. 1t does
have its charms, as the deadly snake is
said to have; and as other vices have =
But | see you are in bury
1t is time vas at the store
Il will dctain you but moment lon-
ger, Henry. Just answer me few more
questions. Now cali to mind all the fam
lilies Of your acqusintsnce; think of all
the domestic circles you have known,
from your school-boy days to the present.
Run your thoughts through the various
homes where you have been intimate
Do this, and tell ue if, iD any one in
stance, you ever knew a single Joy to be
planted by the hearthstone from the wine
cup. Did you ever know one item of
good to fow to family from its use 7
No. cannot say that ever did
not as you mean
And DOW answer me again. Think of
those homes once more. Call TO memory
the playmates Of your childhood think
of other homes-think of the fresides
where all you have known dwell-and
tell me if you have seen any great griefs
planted BY the Intoxicating bowl upon the
bearthstoDe y
Henry Seaburn did not answer, for
there passed between him such grim spec
tres OF Sorrow aDd Grief, that be sbud.
dered at the mertal vision. He saw the
youth cut down in the hour Of promise-
he saw the gray head fall 10 dishonor-
be saw hearts broken-he saw homes
made desolate-be saw affection witber
up and die-and he saw noble intellects
stricken down. Good Heaven! what
sights be saw as he unroled the canvass
of his memory!
Henry whispered the wife, moving to
his side, and winding one ara gently a.
bout his neck, we have two boys. They
are growing to be men. They are noble,
generous, and warm hearted. They love
their home, and honor their pareDts.-
They are here to form those characters
to receive those impressions-which
shall be the basis upon which their future
veal or woe must rest. Look at them
0, think of them Think Of them doing
battle in the great struggle of life before
them. Shall they carry out from their
home one evil influence Shall they,
in the time to come, fall by the way side,