Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-03-24
temperance Mattet:
THE MODERATE DRINKER.
BY ANNIE

crate drinhing. 1t is more deadly N Its
influence than the fatal cholera, which
spreads terror and desolaton wherever 1t
goes. 1t robs manhood OF all that is manly
and noble. brings him who INDUCES 10 it, to
an untimely and often to terrible end.
Mr.. Perry was a young man OF much
promise. His countonance was one which at
tracted the admiration Of those with whom
he mingled. In address, easy and graceful
in conversation, pleasant and agreeable, his
presence was ever Welcome in the circle in
which he moved. Many were the friends
which he possessed. But, as the most beau
tiful flower, may sometimes have worm
concealed among its petals, which, unless
removed, will destroy its beauty. and bring
it prematurely to the ground, so he had one
fatal error in his character, which was des
tined to bring him to an untimely grave -
He loved the social glass, in other words he
was moderate drinker. His friends saw
his danger and often demonstrated with hlul,
but in vain, he could see no harm in his oc'
casionally taking a drink, and he would
have resented 1t as an insult, had any one
told him that he was in danger Of becoming
drunkard.
His gentlemanly department procured Tor
him entrance into the society Of the wealthy
and refined, and there he won the affections
of a young lady, of superior intellectual ell
dowments, and many personal attractions,
whose family were wealthy and aristocra:ic,
some Of them occupying Important stations
in life, and she was an idolized child and
sister They we're married. For a time
their lives flowed smoothly aud happily a.
long. Her prospects for future wealth and
happiness were good, anc no one-thuught of
predicting aught but eminence and prosperi
ty for him.
A few years have passed the prattle of
children is heard in his dwelling! but the
worm has been at work. The anxious look
Of his wife tells truly tina: all is not right =,
All, she has discovered that her husband, he
for whom she left home and friends, he who
vowed to love and cherish her through life,
is moderate driakcr In vain she pleads
with him to renounce the wine-cup forever,
she tells of the danger which he is in, but
he only laughs at her fears. Like the gay
party in their pleasure boat, who were draw
ing near the fearful maelstrom which would
enguf forever, he sees nodanger, and1aughs
at the fears Of those who would win him
from the fearful vortex which be, is 50 fast
approaching.
a few more years have rolled away with
their precious opportunities, gone, never
more to return. Oh, who shall tell of the
bitter disappointment Of the hopes deferred,
of the weight Of anguish which hearts may
suffer in the space of a few short years.
Again we will enter the home Of Mr..
Perry, great has been the changes which
have taken place in his once happy home
Death has been there and taken his chill
dren. and only one now remains. The little
Metric. God in his tender mercy spared her
to gladden. the heart of her sorrewlng moth
er Nettie seemed too fair fur earth, none
saw her without remarking her beauty. and
she was rossessed of degree Of intelligence.
rarely, had almost said, never seen in one
of her age. Among her Playmates SIZE was
favoritc Nettie's step was the most light
and Joyous, yet her blue eyes would fill with
tears of sympathy wheD she saw those who
we're sad and sorrowing. Such was the remqia'
ing child Of Mr.. Perry. His wife seemed
greatly changed since we last saw her. sad
ness rested upon her brow, deep sorrow had
entered her heart, alas, she knows now too
truly that she is the wife of a drunhG~l.-
But the greatest change is TO be seen In Mr.
Perry himself. His countenance has lost
much of its manly beauty, his friends seem
to repose no confidence in him, he can no
longer properly be called moderate drtnhc'
Much of his time is now spent in the bar
room, while his home, which should be the
most sacred place on earth, is neglected.
Kind friends would have gladly taken to
their homes his unhappy wife, but she re-
fuses to leave him, nothing can wiring from
HeT Oue WOiu VI lepiOnCH oS"'''V h''1 """
she promised to love through life.
IT'S evening, she sits awaiting his ruturn.
and her thoughts wander back to the happy
days of her youth, in fancy she is again
happy child. She is aroused from her reve-
rie by Nettie's voice saying sadly, "Mamma.
am so sleepy, I do wish Pappy would come.
Mamma, what makes him stay away so long?
Why don't he come home and talk to US and
not leave US alone? he did not use to stay a.
way so, don't he love you and me any more
mammal" The agonized mother could not
reply.
But will not longer dwell upon, these
scenes, in vain are all the efforts to win him
from the dangerous path which he is in, he
heeds not the entreaties of his. friends, and
those who strove to bring him to the feet Of
Jesus, we're received with scorn and con-
tempt.
One evening after having partaken freely
with some of his boon companions, he turns
to leave them, but receives a fall down
flight of steps, is taken to his home, and in
few days he is corpse. Unprepared he
has gone to meet his God
Reader this is no fancy sketch, it is pic
ture drawn from real life. You who con-
slider moderate drinhiag no harm, beware.
You are forming habit, which will cause
your eternal ruin. Who hath woe.2 Who
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