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

WELL Henry, am sorry you have had th'

j We'll, Henry, am sorry you have had that
spirit brought into the house.
Pooh! What's the use of talking so, Coraf
/ You wouldn't have me be without it, would
you 2 a' 3. .a.r
! Yes
i 'Why-what do you mean r
i mean that would cut clear from the
stnff. now and forever ai@ ST.
But-Cora-you are Wild What should
we do at our dinner parties without wine 2
~ others who have it not, 80
But-mercy what would people say p
! Are You afraid-Rut mol won't ask so fool
ish question: 30
ASK it, Henry. Let us speak plainly. no~
that we have fairly commenced ,
Well was about to ask if yon we're afraid
that should ever-drink too much
That is fair question, Henry. was
not thinking of that at all. But will answer
it by and by. You have no fixed appetite
! for it now |? -
of course not
Then it would not cost you any effort of
will to abstain from its use ?
| . Not particle.
z And you only have it in the house. and
serve it to your friends, and drink it yourself
because it is fashionable?-or in other words,
you do it because others do it?' rs=-s ll
But pursued Mrs Seaburn. with the calm
ness and assurance of one who feels the sus
tanning influence of Right, tyou would not do
what you are convinced is wrong. out of re
spects to any snch considerations, would Your
'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;
but am no tee.totaler.'
Henry said the wife, with an earnest look
into his face. will yon answer me few ques.
| tions-and answe, them honestly and truly,
without equivocation or evasion ?
Bless me, how methodically you put it,
Cora But will answer
.Then-6rst: Do you believe yon, or your
friends are in any way benefited by the drink.
ing 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 we're married when we actually needed wine
in the house, either for health or comfort T
'Why-I think it has administered to our
comfort. Cora ..s tsrs-
How ,- .-.-- ..-..-
'O-in many ways .-. .sa..
Name one of Them .. ..s.--.-. f.,
| 'Why-in the enjoyment of our genius ?
.Ah-but am speaking of ourselves. Henry
of you, and me. and our own little family
Has it ever ministered to our comfort p
mo. | cant say that it has,
And If it was banished from our house to
day and forever. as beverage, should we suf
fer in consequence p
Certainly. What would our friepds-
i iAh-but stop. 1 am only speaking of oul
own freside. want all extraneous condition,
left out Should we, as family, suffer, In oul
moral, physical social, or domestic affairs, il
the total absence of this beverage ?
j MOI don't know that we should.'
Then to you, as husband and a father
and as a mar, it is of no earthly use.'
, No ..-- --.
, 'And it wouId cost you no effort, so far a
You alone, are concerned, to break clear from
it p ... -.-f
I Not particle -.,.-
.And now, Henry pursued the wife, will
increased earnestness, i have few more ques
= tions to ask: Do you believe that the drink
ing of Intoxicating beverages is an evil in thi
d country ? e..... ..... .-. .-.5
Why's it is now going on, l most Gel
tainlg do ............ ..... ......
- And isn't it an evil to soeiety!' -
Yes ....... .. -
:. Look over this city, and tell if it is not
y terrible evil ..-...... =.-.. --.. .-.
n "A terrible evil grows out of the abuse of i
Cora .s.-
And will you tell me what good grows on
of the use 1t ..-. -. e ..
Really, love,-when you come down to thi
abstract point you have the field. Bnl peopl
should govern their appetites. All things ma
be abused -.........
Yes. But will you tell me the use-tb
real good-to be derived from drinking win
;, and brandy ? .-..s
AS said before-it is social custom an
!, has its charms' .-
'Ah-there you have it, Henry. 1t doe
have its charms. as the deadly snake is said
have; and as their vices have! But see 20
are in hurry ... -.s..... .-.
:. 'It is time was at the store
~. Il will detain you but one moment longe
Henry. lust answer me few more question
Now call to mind all the families of your q
quaintance; think of all the domestic circle
}. you have known, from your school boy days
the present. Run your thoughts through tt
>, various homes where you have been iutimat
Do this,and tell me, if in one instance, you ev,
ii knew single joy to be planted by the heartl
stone from the wine cup. Did you ever kno
u one item of good to flow to family from i
ID use 7 5......
n, mo, cannot say that ever did-not
= you mean .-.
ID And now answer me again. Think of tho
al homes once more Call to memory the pla
mates of your childhood-think of the hom
they have made-think of other homes-thil
of the 6res where all you have known dwell
and tell me if you have seen any SoRRows &c
NO from the wine cupi Have you seen any gre
ks GR1EFs planted by the Intoxicating bowl up
IA the hearthstone
nh Henry Seaburn did not answer, for the
,sv passed before him such grim spectres of 81