Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-10-05
Devoted to Temp Literature
RALEIGH, NORTH CARROLL

of the wine cup, seduced him from the
paths of virtue, and he became another vic
tim to its Internal charms. And though
its sting is like that of the adder, and its
bite that of the serpent, he rushed head
long to ruin, and was rescued just as the
last spark of hope was about to expire. He
woke up to a true sense Of his condition
and he vowed never to touch the unclean
thing again.
heard his history with much interest
and adorned as it was with cbaste and bean.
tiful language, which have not attempted
to repeat, it was worthy all attention. II
was treat to hear him, and treasured ar
his words. ssa
We entered the splendid church. The
organ pealed forth its grandest notes; the
choir charmed rs by its magic singing.
The minister sent one heart message to the
Great Am, and there glowed over that
audience spirit more pure and fervid thar
ever reused Napoleon to action or his Con
queror to victory. Several able and pow
erful speeches were made. I was ther
called upon. In my feeble way procee
ded to defend the reform movement. I re-
lated instances where men had been res
cued from death by the friendly hand o.
some Son of Temperance, and then went
on to persuade my brethren that whenever
they saw chance to win a man from this
vice, not to be backward in making an eff
fort to save him. Particularly take care
OF the young. | alluded to Charles case
barely concluding when up sprang the ex
cited object of my remarks exclaiming-
"Yes! every word true! Here I am
Five years ago, was ragged, hungry and
notwithstanding to charity school, hat
less and shoeless. Five years ago my moth
er had to work nearly all night to keep us
from starving; but good Samaritan pass
ed by, took me by the hand, spoke kind
words to me, assisted me to join the Ca
dets; and my joining caused father to come
70 his senses; he joined the Sons; and now
there is no happier family in all Virgins
han our own. Here's father-there.
mother and sister-here's me, and [ an
neither ashamed nor afraid to tell yor
What the cause has done for US. And now
prethren,' continued Charlie, lets breal
out in one shout Of joy for our past victo
;ies.'
The shout which went up from the muI
situde shook the old temple to its very cen
ire. 1t was an overwhelming and sponta
tleous outburst of pent up feeling, and wa
repeated, loud and long.
The meeting closed, | accepted Mr.. Mar
halls kind invitation to pass the remain
ler Of my stay in Richmond at his house
md on Sf fe+tggfARHg tgARHtg haee c5tt GtRBasIia ..-
darshall, who had preceded us, invited mi
seat, looking as woe-begone as she dic
IN my visit FIVE years before. And wha
ind of seat do you suppose it was 2
Why, the same Identical three-legged stoo
which she occupied on that occasion. Blu
,er grief was only counterfeit, for with
;lear ringing laugh she threw the stool ou
If the window, and in few moments th
| ,:eys of the piano were rendering swee
| .lusic beneath her skillfui touch, while th
tneIow bass of Mr.. Marshall, the sweet trt
ole of Miss Minnie, the full tenor of Cha1
/ lie, and the discordant roar of your humb
,ervant's voice, as an accompaniment
:ormed an orchestra worth hearing. Thu
| passed the evening. 1t was long to be r
'nembered.
/ And now, reader, allow me to conclu(
fhis chapter with the remark, that if n
/ story proves uninteresting, attribute it
| The fact that l am relating actual occu
/ -ences. The only fiction in this story is
| The substitution Of fictitious for real nam
i for the most prominent characters In it.
| Fiction hath this extent-no more.