Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-04-19

you know, darling, that was once addicted
to the inordinate use of Intoxicating liq.
uor?
fKou9' said Nellie, starting and looking
into the face of her husband with an ex.
preston of surprise.
sYes, Nellie; 1 have been intoxicated
more than once, but
Intoxicated ? said Nellie; you intoxi.
Gated, Joep Then claspiug her little
hands together, and looking up into her
husbands face, she asked eagerly, and with
quivering lips: 'How long ago, JoeP
Il suppose about eighteen months ago,
said Mr.. Benson.
sIu this town.
% no, my dear; when lived in Geor-
gia.' Then observing the troubled express
sion of Nellie's countenance, he said =
Never mind we will not talk about that
now. Thank God. that strength was given
me to break from the grasp of such ruin
ous habit =
yes, Joe,' said Nellie; 'but-but-but-
tell me all about it, please 90. .'
sAbout whatT 's
sHow came you to reform-no !! not re-
form
Reform is the word, Nellie
mo, Joe; I didn't mean that said
Nellie, putting her arms around his neck.
Il meant to ask what made you stop drink
ling
1T amounts to the same thing said Mr..
Benson, smiling; 'but, pshaw! let us dis
miss the subject 80
'Now, Joe, why cannot you tell me any
thing that I may ask!
%, my dear Nellie, if you particularly
wish to know what occasioned me to dis
pense with the use of intoxicating liquor,
I have no objection to crafty your curiosi-
ty in this respect
well, Joe, tell me-
Il do not know whether or not you ever
heard of young Emerson, who committed
suicide some years ago. said Mr.. Benson ;
sbut it was upon receiving tidings of his
melancholy end, that resolved, by Gods
help, never again to use intoxicating liq-
uors as beverage. had long known and
loved poor Emerson; had made him up to
within several months before his death, my
friend and constant companion; and, when
the tidings of his sudden and terrible end
reached me, it impressed me so potently,
that I became, almost instantly, most in
veterate hater of strong drink. did not
connect myself with any temperance socie-
ty, nor have I done so since; but, solemnly
and prayerfully, and as in Gods immedi-
ate and special presence, made the resolve
to wage perpetual war against the ruinous
habit of drinking. Since then, and by the
help Of a power higher than I, I have been
enabled to keep faithfully that resolve
But would it not be as we'll, Joe, to con.
meet yourself wish some temperance organi-
zaticn p asked Nellie, somewhat timidly.
well, my dear, perhaps, such a course
of action aoould be as we'll but never can
see the propriety Of doing an unnecessary
action. If by connecting myself with some
organization I thought the cause of tenn
perance would be advanced in any degree
whatever, 1 should unhesitatingly do so,
and do so at once
'And do you not think, Joe, that the
cause might be advanced by taking such
stepsT
I'm what way, Nellie
why, on the principle that in union
there is strength replied Nellie. 'One
man, having, by experience, learned the
destructive tendencies of indulging in in
toxicating liquors, resolves to abandon their
use. Needing sympathy, he reveals his
determination to another and, having seen
the fruits of intemperaDce, he endeavors to
persuade his friend to adopt his resolve
They mutually pledge their word and hon.
or to abstain from the use of strong drink !;
and, knowing that they have done 50, and
feeling themselves honorably bound to abide
by such pledge, they will be all the more
stronger to keep it faithfully
very true, Nellie,' said Mr.. Benson.
Il am fully aware, that two are better than
one in all such matters as these. I admit
that it is better that men of temperance
principles should organize themselves into
society and act unitedly in their efforts
to influence public opinion in favor of their
peculiar views on the subject. I think so,
because l know that while the world cares
very little for the opinions of one man, they
are disposed to view favorably those same
opinions when adopted by thousands
why then do you not connect yourself
with some organized body of men whose
ideas are akin to yours?'
WELL said Mr.. Benson, stroking his
whiskers, 'the fact is, Nellie, most of these
temperance societies are composed of re-
formed drunkards or, at any rate, men of
no influence and position in the communi-
ty.'
4 really cannot agree with you,' said
Nellie. Some of our best, purest, most
talented, wealthy and learned citizens ad-
vocate the temperance cause, and are ac-
tive members of the societies. You will
find among their number hundreds of emf.
nent diviues, lawyers, judges, literary and
scientific men, all occupying an enviable
position in life, and who have connected
themselves with these societies, not because
of former love of strong drink or because
of any felt fear of being brought under the
influence of the habit themselves, but be-
cause of firm and deliberate persuasion
that the use of strong drink is curse to
society, and that their example may posi-
bly influence others to do likewise and