Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-09-26
SEPTEMBER 26. 1862.

I should rather cay. Among these was tho
son Of an old and very dear friend. llo was
In hrs nineteenth ycar--a handsome. inieI'
lisent. aud mos, agreeable per'op-full ol
life and pleasant humor. A,.upper time,
noticed him with glass OF champagne In
his hand. gaily talking with some ladies.
In little while after, my eye happening
90 rect on him. saw him holding Aslar- Of
port wine to hi. lirs. which was emptie1 a'
q single draught. Again passing near him,
IN order to spcak toa lady. | observed a
tumbler m tis hand. and knew tho contents
to DO brandy and water. This caused me to
feel somewhat concerned, and kept him IN
closer observation. In lille while he was
at the table again. pouring ou, another
slas. of wine. | thought |, might be for a
lady upon whom no was IN attendance; bu,
M. the sparkling liquor touched his own
lips. When the company returned to the
parlor.. the flushed face, swimming eyes.
and ovcr.hilarious manner Of my young
friend. showed too plainly tha, be bad been
drinking TO excess. lie was so much exci,.
ed as to attract the attention Of every one,
and his condition became the subject OF re.
mark. Twas mortified and distressed at the
occurrence. and drawing him from the
room. made Tree 10 tell him the truth. lie
showed some Indignation a, fret. and init.
mated that had in-ulted hun bat re-
bused hlm .,ernly. and told him be had
bot,er 90 home. was ,oo much excited to
ac, very wisely. lie took ne at my word.
and lei, the house. There wa. no SLEEP 'or
my eye. on tha, night, Mrs Eldridec. The
image OF that boy. going home to hi. moth
er a, midnight. in such condition, and
made - by my hand, haunted me Ike a
retukins spectre; and resolved never again
to SC, ou, table with liquors 20 q promi'.
cuou. company of young and old, and ! have
kep; iha, word Of promise. My husband i'
no, willing 10 hav' party. unless there i'
wine with the Refreshments, aud would
rathcr iorrso all entertainments than pot
temptation in the way of any one. Your
sons suggestion - admir,hlo. Have the ir'
dependence 20 nc, upon !, and &c, an eI-
ample which many wall be glad 10 follow.
Don't fear criticism or remark; don't .iop
TO ask what this one will say. or that one
think. TIE approval Of our own con.
science, 4. worth far more than the opin.
ions OF men I.iiri.h,' Thatistbe Que'-
ton to ask not how will iiAprehr. or wha,
will people say? There will be number
Of rar,ie, gwen to your niece, without
doubt. AMI II you lead otr with coffee in.
stead Of wine, oil the re-, OF fanuy's friends
may follow tho gooi example"
When Mr.. Eidriisc came home at dinner
time. his wife said TO bip
you nccdn', order any liquors from sny'
der
why no,'' SIR. Eldridsc looked a, HI,
wife with some surprise.
Il am going 10 have coffee instead Of wine
AMI brandy saii Mrs. Elirldsc, speaking
firmly.
'Non.en.e' You are jo.,ing.'
NO. I'm in earnest. These liquors are
no, only expensive. bu, dangerous things to
offer freely In mixed companies. Many
boys &c, their Gre, taste tor drink n. fash
ionable parties. and many reformed men
have the old fiery thirst revived by a glass
Of wine poured on, for them in social hos
pitali,y. AIN afraid to have my con.cict &C
burdened With the responsibility which this
invoices
There ~ no question as 20 tho injury
that !. done by this free pouring out OF
liquors u, our fashionable entertainments.
I've long enough seen that said Mr.. III.
dr,dye. but she will be bold lady. who
ventures to Offer cup Of coll.e in place oil
u gIas, OF wine. You had better think
twice on this subject before you act once.
I've done little el.c but think abou, IL
tor the last two hours. and the moro think
abou. It the mUre settled my purpose bc'
comes
But wha, put this thing into your head'
inquired Mr. Eldridsc. You were in fal
s,il for a party this morning. liquor and
all this sudden tacking for new course, II
u little surprising. I'm puzzled
Your son put it into my head replied
Mrs. Eldridse.
Henry. Well. ,ha. boy doe. beat al! :
Mr.. Eldridre did not speak with disaprro'
hation, but with tons Of pleasure IN hi'
voice. And he proposed We should have
coffee instead OF wine and brandy"
Yes
bravo for Harry! like that. Bu,
What will people say my dear! l don,
want to become a laughing stock
I'D rather have other people laugh at m,
for doing right said Ms. Eldridge, thar
to have my conscience upbraid me ior doin,
wrong
Must wo give the party3' asked Mr.
Eldridge. who did not feel much inc lined I,
brave public opinion.
Il don't see that We can well avoid dom,
90. Parties wall be given. and rs Fanny /,
our niece. IL will look like slight towards
her II we hold back. No. sbc must have q
party; and as au, resolved to exclude
liquor. We must come in fret. Who Knows
but oil the rest may follow our example,
'Don't Gat,sr yourself on any such 70
suit. We shall stand alone, you may de
pend upon it,
Tho evening Of the party came. and
a ~ Nha hntisa m