Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-11-25

Bless me how methodically you put
it, Cora. But 1 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?
No can't say that we do
DO you think the time has ever been,
since we were married, when we actually
needed wine in the house, either for our
health or comfort? :?
'Why-I think it has ministered to our
comfort, Cora
How ?
O-in many ways.
Name one of them
'Why-in the enjoyment of our guests
'Ah-but l am speaking of ourselves,
Henry-of you, and me, and our own
little family. Has it ever ministered to
our comfort 2
'No-can't say that it has
And if 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. l am only speaking
of our own affairs, as shut in from the
world, by our own freside. I want all
extraneous considerations left out
Should we as a family suffer, in our
moral, physical, or domestic affairs in the
total absence of this beverage?'
'No,-I don't know that we should
Then to you, as a husband, and a
father, and as man, it is of no earthly
use?'
No
And it would cost you no effort, so
far as you alone are concerned, to break
clear from it?
Not a particle
And now, Henry pursued the wife,
with increased earnestness. I have a few
more questions to ask: Do you believe
that the drinking of intoxicating bevera-
| ges is an evil in this country?'
Why-as it is going on, I certainly
do
And isn't it an evil in society,"
Yes
Look over this city. and tell me if i
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 dowr
to this abstract point you may have thr
field. But people should govern thei
appetites. All things may be abused
Yes. But will you tell me the use
the real good-to be derived from drink
ing wine and brandy
As I said before-it is a social custom
and has its charms.
Ah-there you have it, Henry. ]
does have its charms, as the deadly snak
is said to have; and as other vices have
But l sec you are in hurry
1t is time I was at the store.
l will detain you but a moment longer
j. Henry. Just answer me few NOR
r. questions. Now call to mind all tn
families of your acquaintance think {
all the domestic circles you have known
from your school-boy days to the presen
Run your thought through the variou
homes where you have been intimate
Do this, and tell me if, in any one IL
7 stance, you ever knew single joy to /
. planted by the hearthstone from the wint
cup. Did you ever know one item
good to flow 10 family from its use?'
>. No. I cannot say that ever did
not as you mean
And now answer me again. Thin
of those homes they have made-thir
:. of other homes-think of the iresid
: where all you have known dwell-ar
:. tell me if you have seen any sorrows flo
from the wine-cup Have you seen al
great GRIEFs planted by the intoxicatir
u bowl upon the hearthstone 2
: Henry Seaburn did not answer,
~ there passed before him such grim spec
'' erso of Sorrow and Grief, that he shuddert
/ at the mental vision. He saw the you
cut down in the hour of promise-he sa
h the gray head fall in dishonor-he sa
10 hearts broken-he saw homes made dc
It, olate-he saw affection wither up ar
a die-and he saw noble intellects stricke
y down Good Heaven what sights
saw as he unrolled the canvass of I
is memory!
ID Henry whispered the wife, movil