Des Arc citizen., 1860-04-28
A Drunken Mans Argument.

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 "Don't you believe in the doctrine of predestinalion '"
 Yes, believe it as the Apostle Paul states it."
 Well, then. you can go this far; you will admit that God knows just what will happen, and that, therefore, there is no uncertainty about it ?"
 "Yes, l can go that far
 Then what IS the use of your talking to me about drinking rum, since 1t is cer- tain that shall drink every dram that God knows will drink!"
 The speaker was well formed and fine looking man, who had on the clothes of mechanic. The above specimen of his metaphysics must suffice. He was one of the best mechanics in our country, and whilst sober had lad up property In an evil hour he yielded to the tempta. tions of an old habit of drinking rum. He descended from one stage of degre- dalion to another with great rapidlty, and his best friends despaired of his reforma- ton.
 One day met him in the office of a lawyer. Although in the forenoon, he was quite tipsy. He was such bright man, so superior in many respects that l was palned to see him going to ruin. My feelings were indicated in my countenance, and perhaps anticipating an admoniton, he said :" see you want to speak to me about my habits"
 1 admitted it.
 Il thought SO" said he, 1" and now, as l wan, you to conine yourself to things new, let me tell you some things which you are disposed to say, but which you need not say, for l know them already great deal better than you can tell me ,"
 "You were just thinking what bloody shame 1t is that man whose meckani- cal skill is sought after at high price, and who could make himself independent in a shor. time, should sacrifice all this to his drunken appetite, and reduce himself to pauperism. Be candid. Were you not thinking so 2"
 I said he had hit the nail on the head.
 "I thought so," said he; B Now you need not say anything on this point for l am already convinced; l know what a fool 1 am in this respect"
 "Then " you were thinking of my tremb- ling nerves" he continued, "and were amazed that dare pour this "dstilled damnalion down into my stomach, when 1 am on the verge of delirium tremens all the time. Confess now, if you were not thinking of this 2"
 l was not disposed to deny it. Just so," he said. Now, sir, l know about this matter better than you do. have felt all that Cough or Dr. Jewett has described 1 have seen the devils which haunt the victim, and l know that he who has this disease, for the time, is in perdtion. You can't tell me anything on that point; so when, you speak, omll i this 1 could not suppress smile at the mans ingenuity and frankness.
 But" said he, "t there is another view of my case which you are disposed to urge. You want to remind me how ten wears ago I courted my wife, (and nc man had better wife than mlne.) and how she refused 10 marry me until she was assured that l left off drinking. loved her then. and love her now. promised 10 trea, her as man should treat wife. You want to remind me that have, by my drunkenness, converted my home into place of torment, and that have actually laid violent hands or my wife!
 His voice trembled, and his eyes mois tened, as he alluded to his wife. And here are my children. YoI wan, to remind me of the dangers anc sorrows am exposing them to: but you sir, cannot tell me anything pertaining l' my family. know all about it. curse myself as a wretch and fool. have no mercy in my sef-condemnings. Yes sir. I know all about this, by an expert srce which may the Lord deliver yo'