Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-09-26
OLD SERIES.
Rldrie,s wa. particularly nervous on the

often been entertained. and never without
the eIhilarat,ng glass. How would they
fcel7 What would they thins7 wba,
would they say? These questions fairly
haunted him and he regretted, over and
over nga'n. ,ha, he had yielded to HE wife
and excluded thu liquors.
but there was no holding back now the
die wa. cas-, and they mus, stand to the
issue. Mr.. Eldridse tried to speak pleas
an,ly to the lady on his arm. as he assembled
to the supper room but the words came
heavily from bis tongue. for bic hear. was
dying in him. Soon tho company were
around the table, and eycs. critical in such
matters. taking h,rricd Inventorie. OF what
J " contained. Setting aside the wine and
brandy. the entertainment was Of the most
liberal character, and the whole arrange.
ment extremely elegant. 40 each end Of
the table stood large coffee urn, surround.
ed with cup. the meaning OF which was
no, long mystery to the company. After
tho ,errapn. oysters, salad. and their &C
compartments. AIr. Edridgs ,aid to q lady,
In ~ halfhc-itatiuy voice, u, u he we're al.
most ashamed to ask the question:
'Will you have cup Of coffee 2
II YOU please was the smiling answer.
Nothing would .uit the better
Delicious" Mr.. EIdritsc heard one OF
the gentleman of whom he stood IN ,he mo.,
dread, say this Is indeed treat. !
wouldn't give such cup OF coffee Tor the
be., glass OF wihe you could bring me-
am glad you are pleased Mr.. Elarii:s
could not help remarkihs, a' be turned ~
the gentleman.
You could no, have pleased mo better
was the rrply.
Soon tie cop, were crclns through tho
room. aud every one seemed TO enjoy the
rich beverage. IL va. not the ghost Of cof.
Zee. nor coiE:e robbed Of lis delicate aroma
bu, clear. strong. fragrant, and nellowed
by the most delicious cream. Having el,c..
eI % ,erye coffee. Mrs. rIdridge was care
fol that her entertainment should not prove
a failure through any lack Of excellence IN
thi. article. And It was very far from
proving u failure. The frst surprise being
over. one and another began to express an
opinion on the subject to the hos: And host
e-s.
let me thank you,' said q lady, takin,
the hand Of Mrs. Eldridse, AMI speaking
very warmly. for your courage IN making
this innovation upon custom OF doubtful
prudence. ,hank you, as % mother. Who
la, two sons here to night
She said no more, but Mrs. Eldridsc un.
dsr.rood we'll her full meaning.
You are a brave man. and honor you
was tho remark ofa gentleman TO Mr.. Fl.
driisc. There wall be many, think, to
follow your good example. | should never
have had the courage to lead, 10, think I
.hall be brave enough TO follow. when II;
com my turn to entertain my friends.
Henry was standing by hi, father when
,hi. Wa. said, listening with respectful, but
deeply gritIfri attention.
My -on. sir. .ari Mr. Eldriiee.
The gentleman took the boys hand, and
while he held il. the father addci,
: mus, il, the honor 50 where |, really
/. due. The suggestion came FROM him.
/ lie i.a Cadet Of Temperance, and when tie
party was talked Of. he pleaded 80 earnestly
J for the substitution Of coffee Tor wine and
brandy, and used ,uel good reason. for the
change, that We saw only one right course
before Us, and that We have adopted
The gentleman. on hearing this. shook
the lads hand warmly, and sad
J Your father has reason TO DO proud OF
you. my Sraso boy There is no telling
what good may grow ou, OF this thing. Oth.
er. will follow your fathers example, and
hundred. Of young men be saved from tho
en,ircment. OF the wine cup
With what strong throbs of pleasure did
the boys heart bca, when these word. camo
to hi. ears. Ilc had scarcely hopei for sue
cess. when he pleaded briefly, bat earnestly.
with hi. mother. Yet hc felt that no must
speak. for 20 his mind. what che proposed
doing was great evil. Sine, il had been
resolved to banish liquor from the entertain
ment, he had heard hi, father ard mother
speak several times doub,ialy as to tho re.
suit; and more than once his father express.
ed regret than any such foolish attempt
To run in the face Of peoples preiadices hal
been thought Of. Naturally. he had fel,
anxious about the result; bu, now that the
affair had gone or 80 triumphanily. bis
heart was outsushins with pleasure.
The result was US had heen predicted.
Four parties were given to the bride. and in
each case the good example Of Mrs. Eldridse
was followed. Coffee took the place OF wine
and brandy, and !, was the remark oi nearly
all. tina, there had tsen no plea'anter par.
ties during the season.
So much for what boy may do. by only
few rish, words, spoken at the rich, time,
and In the rish, manner. Henry Eldridse
wa. ,houshtiul, modest, and earnest minded.
! Ills attachment to the cause OF Temperance
was no, mere boy ish enthusiasm. but tho
rc.ul, Of n conviction that intempersnee Was
q vice. destructive to both scul and body ;
and one that lay like curse and plague
spot on society. lie could understand how,
IL the boys rejected, entirely. the eup Of con-
fusion. the mex. generation would DO sober |;
and this had led him to join the cadets. and
Il 5o all 4, al. co~.r IN cat other lads 10 ipin