Spirit of the age., 1861-04-24
From the Wisconsin Chief
Rahuknd and Paformnd

The commencement of the temperance re-
form, found my father on the tide of that Gus
tom which placed the Intoxicating cup in
every household and to every lip. The de-
canter and glasses were fixtures of our we'll
to-do dwelling. The barrel of liquor was al
ways in the cellar, and at morning and noon,
the insidious element was upon the table.
was boy of fourteen years of age when
the first temperance meetings were held. My
father sneered at the movement, and pro-
nounced it priestcraft and fanaticism His
family reflected his sentiments in their asso-
citation with the neighbors and many were
the taunting words and sneers which were
levelled at the bigoted and vulgar friends of
the cause.
Several years had passed away, and still
none OF US had heard an address upon the
subject of temperance. | was fashionable
young man, and drank wine fashionably, at
home and abroad. did not see it then
father did not--but loved the cup From
our own festive gatherings, had reeled
more than once. Even when mother came
the night after my birthday party, and wept
long upon my burning cheek, did not re-
alize the cause. 1t seemed so strange that
she should weep But understand it now:
she wept for the shadow which was failing
so early over the sunshine of my life. She
passed from earth when that shadow was the
darkest, but love to believe that God has
permitted her spirit to know that the cheek
where she left convulsive kiss on the night
she died, has long since forgotten its brand
of shame.
While in town one day, heard that re-
formed drunkard was to speak at the Hall.
had been drinking all the afternoon with my
boon companions. a reckless lie ader among
the reckless. While drinking our last glass
es, the bell rang, and the landlord Joined in
our attempted witicisms at the cold water
fools.
Not such fools as we are y
A voice from the grave could hardly have
startled us more A half-doZen half-emptied
glasses were simultaneously set down on the
counter, and as many pairs of eyes turned to
sec from whence the strange words.
The speaker was a man about fifty years
old, tall, firmly built, and in spite of his rag
ged and soiled apparel, of noble FORM He
had just arisen from his slumber on the old
bar-room table, and was unsteadily leaning
one arm, while with the other he was trying to
raise himself to an upright position, his worn
and crushed hat had fallen on the floor and
his long hair, damp with that peculiar ap-
pearance often seen in the hair of the drunk
ard, was hanging in dark and thickened
masses over the brow The brow itself was
high, broad and massive; and singularly
white and striking above the face of purple
hue, as if the spot where the seal of man.
hood had been so deeply stamped, were the
last to be burned over by the fire of the bot.
tie. In the midst of that burning and swol
len ruin of once noble and commanding
physiognomy, there was still much to at
tract, now that the hat was off. Pride and
sadness were mingled with the deepening
lines of continued debauch frmness still
lined the firmly formed mouth, and in the
midst of the fiery surroundings of the eye
the pupil shone with slumbering light.
James Murphy had been so long sot, tina
he attracted no attention from his old friends
and neighbors. He was one of the first set
tiers in the place had occupied the highes
place in the confidence of his neighbors hat
been State Senator and Congressman ant
as a lawyer stood at the head of his profes
sion. More than this, he had been the or
nament Of the social circle had once had
lovely wife and child beautiful home, an
wide circle of rich and influential friends
The fall of James Murphy had been grea
indeed-swiftly wrought; and yet so stea
thily, that his best friends hardly realized tn
change did not then realize the terribl
power of that Internal magic which could S
soon burn out noble manhood, waste a luz
urious home, and leave desolation in lovin
hearts.
Jim Murphy" said one of my compal
ions, contemptuously.
Drunk as a -" chimed in the other.
And an excellent subject for these ten
perance fools" | laughingly continued.
And the companion of bigger fools" r
torted Murphy with his eye kindling, an
his body now erect upon the table. 'Bi
ger fools, because they commit their fol
with the rotting corpse of manhood on
better than theirs, right before them! !"
That fiery eye was full upon me, al
worked spell so strange and thrilling, tn
the faint laugh l returned, sounded hollo
and sepulchral to myself I felt the blo'
mounting to my cheek and forehead al
then ebbing like shooting chills back throu,
my veins. A something-I could not def
what-fell like shadow into my soul, al
almost shudered. The word corpse sound
like knell, and cold perspiration start
out on my forehead.
Bah !" broke in NARROW, here's to t
departed Jim Murphy" and he turned
his glass. By the force of habit, and with
effort of scornful pride, lifted my o7
glass to my lips
That's it young Williams Drink
Your father did so. So have l. Drink
say--DRINK, young sir-DRINK and be dan
ed ?"