Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-04-22
l was not at this time druukard.

harm 10 take drink OF brandy, IN order /
the more efectually to keep out the
cold. detested drunkards. was not
at all alarmed about myself, and wonder
ed how any one could be so foolish as to |
think me in danger, yet my aoits had Of
ten begged of me to abstain totally. No
other human being seemed to think Of
such thing as my becoming too strong
ly attached to my cups. Ny wife, l
thought a very foolish little love of
woman, and myself very strong-mind
ed man, capable of drinking bottle of
brandy now and then, without becoming
drunkard. On the present occasion, l
found no difficulty in disposing of the
brandy, without the assistance of my
staid companion. When we arrived al
Dodge's, had drank the last drop, and
drew rein for the purpose of replenish-
ing my flask.
Not here, not here, friend for heav-
ems sake, have respect enough for my
feelings not to enter this miserable placel
Drive on, have something to tell you
Grasping the rein as he spoke, old
Sorrel shot by in an instant and went
trotting on toward RIchford He had
got something to tell me What in the
nature could it be? Was it possible that
so stupid a compaion had bit of ro-
nance in his life? Nothing of the
kind, was sure. Perhaps he meant to
regale me with some hackneyed temper
ance lecture. l consoled myself with
the thought that in the course of two
hours should Sc back to Dodge's again.
DO you see that ruin yonder, ike the
remains of one the primitive log houses?'
Plainly said l.
Well sir, ten years ago this winter, !
found dear sister there-found her, sir
2 found her! Rum did it and must
tell you the tale. l was one of family
of eight children, brought up in the good
old State of Connecticut. Ny brothers
: and sisters were all dear to me-but no
| alike dear. Alice, younger than myself
: the companion of my youthful hopes and
: struggles, was dearest of all to me. Ami
able and gentle, seemed pure as the be
b ings of my imagiuation-ac concentration
0 of all that was good and lovely. o how
| loved our Alice. Too well, too geU
: She was my idol [ remember how
almost wished to chide her for givin;
a part of her love to George Dane, tn
: village lawyer. l wished to be all tha
was dear to her, as she was all that wa
7 dear to me-
: George was manly and intellectual
and l had no reason to oppose her choice
Neither did l, only that regretted t
:, lose from the home society, one so deal
They were married, and life of happ
ness seemed a sure reward for their pur
ty and devotion. For two years-year
| have reason to believe of unsullie
joys to them-they lived in the same vi
: lage with US. At the end of that tim
George determined to 20 to Norther
Vermont. They moved to f az
for time, long and endearing letters
|. their condition and prospects in their ne
- home, were received and eagerly rea
in the home circle. But after tin
= they grew less frequent-less encoura
ing-and at the end of year and ha
ceased altogether. There was elor
in our old home, a shadow on the heart
stone. Fearful torehodings were felt
that band of loving hearts. Again ar
again We wrote, but month rolled arour
and no tidings came. But one resour
remained-I must seek my lost sister
Permit me to observe here, my frien
VIC that my scruples were not at this tic
opposed to spirit-drinking. was not
he' drunkard, but carried bottle with L
w at times-drank when ] wanted it, al
was always in for jolly time. ";
in common parlance, a moderate drin
-ne er, as the most debauched are, previo
to becoming drunkards. If there were
lei moderate drinkers, there would be
OiN drunkards.
at In due course of time, I arrived
bod my destination in r. l was $,
re- prised at the thriftless. and general W,
ION begone appearance of the place. The
Tor was not a respectable looking house
nee the place, no appearance of enterpr
rty and business, but look of wretchedn
pid and poverty, that made me shudder
the fate of my dear Alice. But Al
the was gone In answer to my inquiri
nth l ascertained that they had lived
OF awhile in comparative comfort and T
the pectability, but that latterly they |
lm- come to want and left the village. Nc
'ws ing more satisfactory could be elected
lcsl No clue to their whereabouts-they
'Od- disappeared no one knew where.