Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-07-20

it, This last was spoken emphatically.
But pursued Mrs. Seaburn, with the
calmness and assurance of one who feels the
sustaining influence of right, you would not
do what you were convinced was wrong, out
of respect to any such considerations, would
you?
You know [ would not, Cora. This ques
ton of temperance, [ know, is good one in
the abstract, and [ am willing to live up to it
as | understand it; but [ am no teetotler.'
Henry said his wife, with an earnest
look into his face, will you answer nae few
questions?-and answer them honestly and
truly, without equivocation and evasion"
Bless me, how methodically you put it.
Cora But I will answer
'Then-frst. Do you believe you.
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?'
'No-I can't say that we do
DO you think the time has ever been, since
we were married, when We actually needed
wine in tie house, either for our health or
comfort?'
'Why-I think it has administered to our
comfort, Cora
'How?'
'O-ln many ways.
Name one of them
why in the enjoyment of our guests
'Ah. but am speaking Of ourselves, Hen
ry-of you and me, and your own little fami
ly. Has it ever nlinistered 20 our comfort?
'No-I can't say it has
And it was banished from our house to
day, and forever, as a beverage. should We
suffer in consequence"
Certainly. What would our friends
'Ah-but stop. ] am only speaking of
our own affairs, as shut in from the world,
| by our own freside. | want all extr2neous
considerations left out:-Should Te as fam
| lily, suffer in our moral, physical, or domes-
| tic affairs IN the total absence Of this bever-
| age?'
'No-I don't know that we should
Then 70 you, as husband, and . father,
and as man, it is of no earthly use:'
No
And it would cost you no effort, 50 f.r as
you alone are concerned to break clear from
Not particle
And now, Henry pursued the wife, with
increased e.rnestuess. I have few more
! questions to ask: Do you believe that the
drinking Of intoxicating beverages is an evil
in his country?
WHY'S i. is now going on, certainly
| do
And isn't it an evil in society?
! Yes
Look over this country, and tell me if it is
not = terrible evil
A turribl evil grows out Of the abuse gift,
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. But viii you tell me the u.e--tbe
real good-to be derived from drinking wine
aud brandy?
AS said before-it is q special custom
aud has its charms
,Ah-there you have it. Henry. II does
have charms, as the deadly snake Is said to
have, and as other vices have. But see
you are in hurry
1t is time | was at the store
1 will detain you but moment longer,
, Henry Just answer me few more ques-
, tons. Now call to mind all the families Of
your acquaintance; 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 me if, II
! ! be planted bv the hearth stone from the wine
= cup Did you ever know one item of gooC
: to flow to a family from its use|
o No I cannot say that [ ever did-not 81
you mean.
r And now answer me again. Think o
= those homes once more. Call to memory til
playmates of your childhood-think of othe
homes-think of the fresides where all yo
r have known dwell-and tell me if you hav
seen any great griefs planted by the intoxi
| eating bowl upon the hearthstone %
Henry SeaburE did not answer, for ther
e passed between hin such grim spectres
sorrow and grief, that he shuddered at th
J. mental vision He saw the youth cut dow
t. in the hour Of promise-he saw the gre
head fall in dishonor-he saw hearts broke
he saw homes made desolate-he saw a
fectiou vither up and die-snd he saw nobl
le intelccts stricken down. Good Heaven !
what sights he saw as be unrolled the czny'
ID of his memory!
Henry whispered his wife, moving
his side. and winding one arm gently abo'
= his neck, we have two boys. They 81
80 growing to be men. They are noble, gel
erous and warm hearted. They love the
r, home, and honor their parents. They a
here to form those characters-to recer
re those impressions shall be the bss
upon which their future veal or woe mu
| rest Look at them, ., think OF them :
N Think of them doing battle in the gre
.. ,trucgie of life before them. Shall th,
carry out from their home one evil inhue &C
Shall they, in time TO come, fall by the va
to side, cut down by the Demon of the Gu
aud in their dying hour. curse the sxaae
whence they ssri,ea their ssPstits' o