Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-04-13
STORY OF RICHARD MILLER.

dustrious, sober shoemaker. He had en-
igrated from Philadelphia few years
previous to the opening of my story, with
his wife; and by economy and the closest
attention to business, he managed to lay
up six hundred dollars. This sum he
would undoubtedly, here, be so increased
as to place himself and family beyond the
reach of want in few years, and had it
not been for that insidious monster, con-
sumption. The fell destroyer came to
him, as usual in such cases, in bad cold,
and for a long time he hattered himself
into the belief that it was only a bad cold,
but like a skillful sapper and miner, it
soon undermined his constitution, and he
began to have some faint glimmering of
bis real condition.
There was no use in staying any lon
ger in the West, so he sold out his stock
and fixtures, and returned to Philadel-
phia, where he took up his permanent
abode. Having become entirely too weak
to work, he spent his days in that mac
tive but petulant state so common to con-
sumptives.
One day he took it into his head to
consult an eminent physician-one of the
professors of a medical college-in order
to ascertain his true condition. He called
on him, stated his case, and underwent
the usual examination.
Young man," said the professor,
"your lungs are badly affected, and am
only dealing frankly with you when l
say, that in my opinion you are not long
for this world -
Miller's heart sank within him as he
heard his doom. He had the most iLn-
plicit confidence in the professor and,
as he thought of his wife and child, he
felt very much as if for the future, the
world would be blank to him.
"Did you ever drink whiskey?" in
quired the professor, as he paced the
room.
"Never, except oD one or perhaps two
occasions" said Miller.
"You can keep yourself alive two years
probably three-by. the moderate use
of whiskey. II is dangerous prescrip-
tion, but in giving it to you have rea
son to believe that you will not let it ob.
tain the mastery over you. Get the bes
whiskey you can buy, and drink pint q
day of it,"
Poor Miller, ready to grasp at the
merest shadow of relief, went to a liquul
store and purchased demJohn of Bour
bon whiskey, and commenced taking do
ses Of it at intervals throughout the day
A year passed away, and Miller wa
much improved. His cough was easier
and the stimulus appeared to impart
kind Of artificial strength to his body
but l regret to say, his appetite whicI
never before craved alcoholic drinks. hat
an abnormal condition. to appease whicI
it now required not less than a quart pc
diem. He felt that he was not doin
much towards retarding his march dow
to the grave; but the heavy doses of al
coholic stimulants invested the past, pre-
sent and future with feeling of oblivi
business that was quite relief TO his me-
anchOly brooding over his misery whe
he was properly himself.
When in this state Miller loved sol
tude, and he frequently walked as ia
away from home as. his strength woul
permit him-generally in the neighbol
hood Of the brickyards 10 the southwei
part of the city.
One day having extended his walk b,
yond his usual limits, and being overt;
ken by thunder storm when be reache
the brickyards, he took shelter under ii
shed of one of them. Having drank a
unusual quantity of whiskey during IL
day, he fell asleep upon the wheel-barro
on which he was resting, while the stor
still continued nor did he awake uni
dawn of next day, mild and beautif
June morning. At first he was mys
fed; but soon recalled to his recollecti,
the storm and the brickyard, and beir
somewhat drowsy, ne composed hims,
for another nap. it is uncertain how Ioi
be slePt-probably not over half an ho
but during that time be had remar
able vision. He dreamed out the prin,
pies of machine for making brick
machine that would in a great measu
supercede all hand labor. Every whe
cog and casting passed through his bra
and in bis dream he even saw the n
chine in practical operation. When
awoke it was quite light, and he haste
ed towards his home. His mind was {
tirely taken up with the machine,
draao, bav;no arsdar,I, vnola - ;r,n-