The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-11-29
coUDERsPoRT, POTTER COUNTY, Pa, THURSDAY, N

press. Words could not have told it as
impressiyely.
While we were seated at the table, the
mother spoke of the Sons of Temperance
as a secret society. We remarked that
the organization was not so, really.
"But it has secret" she repeated.
ga mere matter of self protection" we
replied
You have an oatn which binds you
to keep that secret" and she looked in
quiringly into our eye.
"No oath but that Of our promise as
men of honor" we answered
"If | tell you what the secret of your
society is, will you admit the truth 2"
We hesitating y nodded assent and she
began.
"You saw that man who presided at
the meeting this afternoon, and in the
Division this evening? he is my only
son. He married one of the nobleSt Of
women and commenced lite ten years ago
with means, character, and friends. His
fall Is long, terrible histoly-a fearful
nightmare, which [ hope has passed
away He forgot me, forgot wife, forgot
his sister, though we all chung to him in
the darkest times of his degradation.-
None but God will ever know how |
suffered For years | wrestled in prayer,
even when it seemed that God had for
gotten the widow and her sorrows. Many
the long dreary nights-so dreary, Mr.
-, that [ have kneeIed bv the side Of
tie slumbering druukard and prayed that
the cup might pass by. My eyes have
been fountains of tears, and there have
been times when have longed to die.
Times too-God forgive me when
with clasped hands have invoked ter
rible judgements upon those who were
wriEging my old heart in the ruin of my
boy.
"One night six months ago, he was
brought home struggling with deIirium
tremens, and for three weeks vibrated
between life and death. All this time a
certain number of genticmanly appearing
young men alternately took their places
al the bedside. They were kind and |
did not want to think them of those who
had helped to lead him astray.
"When my son was able to sit up and
occasionally walk out, | began to tremble
for | feared the worst.
early one evening, they asked me to
permit them to take him to the village
for few hours. No said I, you shall
not Leave him and go your ways, for
[ fear you. But they so earnestly and
kindly urged me, promising that no harm
should befall him, that | reluctantly con-
sented, and they passed out.
"The hours never seemed longer than
while they were gone, and the most of
the time | spent in prayer. Every foot
fall in the street startled me, and my poor
aching heart was full of fearful forcbod-
ings of coming evil.
about 10 o'clock, I heard voices down
the street, and soon after footsteps. |
listened keenly, and my heart leapcd with
joy kneao one step, and that he acaS
sober. dared to hope that something
better was in store for me. 1t was but a
moment and the door was thrown open
and a ha!f-dozen different gentlemen
were in company with my son. He
slowly advanced to where [ was trying
to stand by leaning upon a chair, and for
a moment looked me in the eye. He ras
sober!
"'Mother" at last he cried out; my
own, but deeply injured, mother saved
at last, and you will be happy again ;
and he put his arms around my neck as
when [ used to lift him from the cradle,
and sobbed aloud.
"'Saved, mother! Do you hear that ?
\ man again. You will love ma once
more, will you not mother? And Amy
shall not weep over her brother again.
And the injured Mary--will she not
come back to me, and we will be happy
again? For am Son of Temperance 7
go, what an hour was that. We have
been so happy, and have thanked God so
often. 1t seems as if our poor hearts
could not hold all this icy. The wife
poor girl-has come back as you saw to-
night, and sure enough there is JOY on
Earth and in Heaven. But [ cannot
talk-I can only weep my JOY. Ihare
told your secret--lt is to S0ue tie drunk
ard and make the aoaste places ylad ,0ith
hope and Happiness again !"
The old mother had guessed 1.-THE
secret was out Georgia Crusader.