The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1860-06-29

hHOLHef tWeIFe months has been added
to the past, ere We again look upon the
Village Tavern. 1t is nearly rundown,
the place wears the same appearance as
usual. Jones is leaning against the door
conversing with gentleman who evident.
iy belong. 20 the village. Just now the
stage has stopped, and a fna looking old
gentleman alights, steps on the piazza, de-
cllning the landlords polite invitation to
enter, on the plea Of only wishing to rest
monent preparatory to visiting some
friends residing uear-seats himself in the
willow chair, looks around upon the vii
Iage with an air of interest and pleasure.
so Jones, the temper ance men have
about gone un.'
{" Yes it looks rather ike it; too much
influence against them, couldn't stand it.,
and now I'll soon have my friends back
and GO on rs usual"
"Ail but one. You won't be likely to
get Murray again"
Why ?"
Why? You know as well as do how
he's been going down since he broke his
pledge, about year ago. They've done
all they could to reform him, but is no use
trying-poor fellow, I'm sorry, SO much
talent, only that fault-and now ne has
had the delsrjam tremens constantly for
the last week.
You don't say SO Is it really so bad
as thal!" asked Jones, now for the first
time feeling si .ht touch Of remorss as
certain recoliections came to his mind.
Yes, | saw him this morning, perfect
ly raying, a terrible fever, and | don't
know what all. The doctor was with him
then, and you ought to know how badly
his wife faels -
Mercy l had no idea he was so bad
rs that"
" Yes, he does not know any one. I
could not bear to look ct him, to think Of
his prospects all gone, but mus. go home
for promised to sit up with him to night
You remember how much he oncs thought
of me"
Just then the Village bell tolIed forth
upon the still evening air. The Rumsel-
Ter paused-both paused and anxiouslv lis
tened, until the dread chronicle Of Fate's
stern doings had counted out tie sum Of
twenty seven years, which were all that
Murray had known on earth, then ceased
its warning office.
Meanwhile there had been a trembling
listening to the conversational WAS the
old gentleman, who was none other than
the fond father or our young friend, who
lad come to spend few days with him in
lis own home. lie arrived in time to wit
ness ths terrible grief of the young wife,
md to see his only and darling son laid in
a drunkard's hopeless grave. But we will
not speak Gf his Wild grief There are
sorrows for which time seem to own no
healing balm.
Poor William Murray. Could mt
words Of warning have been inscribed up,
on tho marble that watches his sleeping
dust! that It might be read as voice
from the grave, to the thousands following
IN his foot steps. And could he have
spoken in his last hour, re may believe it
would have been words Of warning, but no
g'ealn Of reason was there granted him
The rawlings Of feyerish insanity were only
stiiled by the cold hand Of the "fel des-
troyer,' and sadder still, no earnest peti-
ton to the God Of Heaven no light from
lhe blessed promises of Savior, and
better life, lighted the gloom of his depart
Ing hours, and cheered the sad prospect
beyond the grave.
Poor William Murray, sad as was thy
fate, we have known sad1er than thine
And for these things, who is to blame p
Who wi finally be held accountable =
Some may answer the Rumseler," All,
but there are thousands who never even
sold or drank a drop in their lives, who
will De held far more responsible than him.
Influential men, who might have done ev-
ervthing for the cause, and did nothing
Christian ministers who could have moth
ing to do with it because forsooth, it looks
like mixing polite, with religion, and fl
uaIiy all, who Ia any way injure the great
ana noble cause Of Temperance. Oh In
temperance Fearful have been tbe cur
ses pronounced upon thee in all ages Of
the world, We see them daily fulfilled, but
a more fearful one than all, we find in a
certain old Jashioned book which notwith-
standing it has been noted pretty much
out Of date by certain class of people
still contains enough to show US the best
way Though life 1t reads.
NO drunkarI shall inherit the King
dom of Cod"