Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-21
Criminal 4apus.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF TIE AG
The Drunkard's Dream.

The Drunkard'S Dream.
had a dream, which was not all a
dream | hapfened a few days since, in
one of my rambles among the mountains
of western North Carolina to meet with
the following incident N reAl life, which
serves aptly to illustrate the final end Ct
the drunkard, and ought to be a solemn
warning to all those who are at all 10 dan
ser of runs delusiou.
1.e young man VINO dreamed, waS one
Who had fallen victim to intemperance
In its worst form. Few, indeed, were his
sober moments. The habit was becoming
stronger every day, and he was sinking
deeper and deeper in debauchery and
shame. His friends had abandoned the
last hope of reform, and only waited in
mourntul despair for the iend to bear
away his helpless prey to the dFunkard's
land of shadows. One night however, he
CHANGED to retire almost sober. lie slept
soundly and dreamed. / dreamed
said he that was passing - church
one beautiful morning At the church
stood single post pointing to the right,
which bore this inscription For the Sons
of Temperance, total abstinence, Love Pa
rity and Fidelity hated the Sons of
Temperance and cursed them, and turned
away from the post with contempt. The
other was beautiful road, shaded by
thick clusters of flowers and vines, pen
dant with the most delicious fruits. AS
far as the eye could stretch, was one ex-
tended plain, slightly inclined, rejoicing in
the richness Of the robe Of summer. Al
most without effort | journeyed on, meet
ing occasionally with friends whom | well
knew, and who with me were enjoying the
luxuries which seemed SO unsparingV law
ished by the hand of Nature. At lengthI /
reached splendid mansion on the margin
of the highway. Then [ heard music and
dancing-the sound of revery-the joy
ful laugh and the song Of mirth. Many
familiar voices saluted my ears. / entered,
was received with acclamations of Joy by
many friends. Wine flowed proiusely,
and cheerfulness and glee filed every
heart.
At length the throng disappeared, and
l, with many joyial companions, resumed
my delightful journey. But ere long |
was again alone. One by one my compan-
ionswandared off, some to the right and
some to the left, or fingered to enjoy the
delicate Injuries of the way side, or invig-
crate and rest themselves at the refreshing
stream. Alone ionrneyed, little observ-
ing the flight OF time, and almost uncon-
scious of my failiag strength. The sun
sinking in the west, and the allurcments,
which in the morning had invited my at
tention and absorbed my soul, were fast
fading in the distance behind, and only re-
mained to be seen dimly through memory's
| glass. The beautiful paved way, eanopied
with rosy anG fruitful bowers, was now the
dreary, gloomy passage, hedged in by
thorns and thistles. The buoYant spirit,
SO vigorous and cheerful in the morning,
was a haunted victim of gloomy depres-
sion. The sun had gone down.
The dimness of twilight was fast ap-
preaching the dense darkness Of night,
when suddenly my morbid senses were
aroused by the fierce howl of some fero-
cious beast | found myself standing on
the verge of terrible pit. Far down in
the crescent gloom, beheld innumerable
shapes OF all manner of beasts, reptiles
devils--some with eyes gIarng like fire
others with teeth, talons and fangs more
horrible than | can describe-huge ser
t pents armed with thousand stiDgs coied
: around the bodies of writing victims, II
3 whom they continually fastened their dead
!; " fangs. There were some Of my most
intimate friends striving desperately with
bloody beasts, and creeping reptiles, anC
all manner of unearthly monsters, which
: contended furiously for their prey, whii.
a wall after wall in piteous tones relied uI
l from the gloomy vault. The bottom
; seemed paved with human bones, many o
u which were bleachcd as By the degs Q
4 centuries. An almost irresistible inAaenc
= drew me onward toward the gaping chasn
o With struggle withdrew from the brink
IF [ turned aud beheld an innn neraOIe hos
: of frightened monsters pressing upon re
e, to urge me into the pit. | made a g.:
q q peratc struggle and awoke!
= 1t was many minutes ere realized ths
il was but dream. Indeed the Who
a. scene is yet-yivid il my mind, and HeAve
r grant that it may so remain TO the last d.
Id of my life, to restrain my hand from ii
$ fatal cup. resolved then to be So
Il. Of Temperance, and | have kept my res,
- luton.
= DistilIer, will you read this dream, az
from it take warning Do not arge, tn
it is nothing but dream, and IS thereto
g unworthy of consideration. It is not all
dream. You are paving his highway tn
all leads down to pit more horrible han Il
NJ one described. And Jon aTeteacbing mI
N N TO walk in it too. Are you then gaiitles
in Don't boast that you are a christian v
ed do not believe it. And to be plao, t
ite world don't believe it either, and @
SO knows it is not SO. He is yonr Judge, al
a will ask vou where is thy brother !.
Retailer, we can scarcely venture an 4
peal to YOU. We regard you as heartLe
sal unprincipIed, fit subject for king
Ily devils, instead of vicegerent. Iou pru
cts ent the trees and vines that bear the deceit
n1o @ fruits, and flowers which adoIn the hig
or way to ruin. You fit out the las3i5nal
INV saloon on the roadside, that Charms
i've music and mirth the infatuated victim, a
ese- weds him more frmly to the feetng pie
the ures of his downward course.
'gl, sb,, Drinker, we have no reproaches to he
al al upon you. We would come to you v
YOU the words of kindness, and try to win J
W., ora %rovaiaY.