Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-03-04

"As ! said botoro--it is a social custom,
and has its charms"
"Ah there you have it, Henry. 1t does
have It's charms, as the deadly snake is saidt
have; and as other vices have But l see
you are in hurry"
at is time ! was at the store
~ will detain YOU but a moment longer,
Henry. Just answer me few more ques-
tions Now call to mind all the families Of
your acquaintance think Of all the domestic
circles you have known, from your schoo-boy
days TO the present. Run your thought
through the various homes where you have
been intimate DO this, and tell me if, in any
one instance. you ever knew a single joy to
be planted by the hcarthstone from the wine
cup. Did you ever know one item Of good to
flow TO a family from its use y
"No. cannot say that ! ever did-not as
you mean
"And now answer me again. Think Of
those homes once more Call to memory the
paymatcs of your childhood-think Of the
homes they have madc--thnk Of other homes
think Of the irosides where all you have
known dwell-and tell me if you have seen
any SORROWS flow from the wine-cup Have
you seen any great GBrErs planted by the in
toNicating bowl upon the hcarthstone;' =
Henry Seaburn did not answer, for there
passed before him such grim spectators of Sor-
row and Grief. that he shuddered at the mem
tai vision. He saw the youth cut down in
the hour Of promise-hc saw the grey head
fall in dishonor--hc saw hearts broken-hc
saw homes made desolate--he saw affection
whittier up and dic-and he saw noble intel
lects stricken down Good Heaven what
sights he saw as he unrolled the canvass Of
his memory
Henry whispered the wife. moving to
his side, and winding one arm gently about
his neck. eve have two boys. They are grow
ing to be men They are noble. generous
and warm-hearted. They love their home
and honor their parents. They are here to
form those characters-to receive those inn
prossions-which shall be the basis upon
which their future veal or woe must rest
Look at lhem-O. think of them Think of
them doing battle in the great struggle Of the
li'a before them. Shall they carry out from
their home one evil influence; Shall they,
in the time to come. fall by the wayside, cut
down by the Demon Of the Cup, and. in their
dying hour, curse the example whence they
derived the appetite O--ior our children
for those two boys-for the men we hope to
see them--for the sweet memories we should
have them cherish Of their home-for the good
old age they may reap-let cast this thing
out--now and forever .'
Cora kissed her husband as she ceased
speaking and then he arose to his feet; bnt
he made her no reply.
"Henry-you are not offended.
"No," he said He returned her kiss, and.
without another word, left the house and went
TO his store.
How strangely did circumstances work 20
keep the idea his wife had given him alive ia
his mind. That very morning he met youth
the son Of one of his wealthy frionds--in
state of wild ntoxication and during the
forenoon he heard that young Aaron c.
had died at sea. He knew that Aaron had been
sent away from home that he might be re-
claimed.
After the bank had closed, and as Henry
Seaburn was thinking of going to his dinner,
he received a note through the Penny. 1t
was from q medical friend, and contained re-
quest that he would call at the hospital on
his way home This hospital was not much
out of his way, and he stopped there.
There is a man in one of the lower wards
who wishes to see you' said the doctor.
"Does he know me . asked Seaburn
"He SAYS he does
"What is his name;'
"He won't tell MS He goes by the name
Of smith but ! am satisfied that such is not
his true name. Heis in the last stage of con-
sumption and delrium He has lucid inter-
walls, but they do not last long. He has been
here a week He was picked up in the street
and brought here He heard your name, and
said he knew you once
H. %, ba ha
patient lay, and looked at him. Surely he
never knew that man There must be some
mistake" he said
The invalid heard him, and opened his eyes.
such bloodshot, sunken, unearthy looking
eyes
Harry" he whispered, trying to lift him
solfupon his elbow ''Isthis Harry Soaburn :"
THAT is my name
"And don't you know me -
I'm sure do not" And he would have
said that he did not wish to, only the man
seemed so utterly miserable that he would
not wound what little feeling he might have
left
Have you forgotten your old playmate in
boyhood. Harry-your friend in other years
your chum in colege;'
"What! :" gasped Seaburn, starting back
aghast, for a glimmer of the truth burst upon
him "This is not Alec Lombcrg -
"All that's left Of him, my Hal returned
the poor fellow, p0tting forth his wasted,
skeleton hand, and smiling faint, quivering,
dying smile "Ah-PATER, PEccAvI !'
"Alexander Lomberg - said Henry, gazing
into the bloated, disfgured face before him.
you wouldn't have known me, Hal.i"
Good Heavens-no
/ 81 know | am altered. All, Hal, SIC tran
SIT gloria mundi ~
! but, Alec, cried Seaburn, show is this
Why arc you here p
"Rum Hal. 49, Rum! I'm about done for.
But ! wanted to see you. They told me
you lived not far away; and | would look
upon one friend before | died
But heard you were practising in your
profession, Alec, and doing we'll.
$50 did do well when | practised, Hal.
/ have made some pleas; but I've given up
all that"
"And your father-where is he :"
Don't mention him, Hal. We've broken.
| don't know him. He taught me to drink
Aye-he taught me and then turned the
cold shoulder upon me when | drank too
much! But-I'm going, Hal.,-going, going"
Henry Seaburn gazed into that horrible