Nebraska advertiser., 1864-07-21
gGIftt q 5I..JI.G,
The OLD MANS STORY.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

| never shall forgetIhe commencement
Of thetemperance reform. Twas a child
at the time of some ten years of ages
Cur home had every comfort and my
parents idolized me, their child. Wine
was often on the table, and both my faith
er and mother frequently gave it to me
in the Bottom of the glass. s ge,
4 One Sunday, at Church, a startling an.
.nouncement was made to our people. 1
knew nothing of its purport, but there
was much whispering among the mem
The pastor SAID that on the next evening
there would be meeting and an address
upon the evils of intemperance in The use
OF alcoholic drinks. He expressed himself
ignorant of the object of the meeting,
and could not say what course it would
be best to pursue in the matter.
The subject Of the meeting came up
to our table after the service, question
ed my father about it with all the curious
eagerness of child. The whispers and
words which had been dropped in my
hearing, clothed the whole affair with
great mystery to me, and l was all eager.
ness to learn the strange thing f
My father merely SAID il was some
/ scheme TO unite Church and State. n 20
The night came, and groups Of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and heard
1 the Jest and the laugh, and saw, drunken
men reeling out of the bar-rOom.
urged my father to let me 60, bat he al
first refused. Finally thinkingit it would
be an innocent qualification Of my curl
osity, be put on hisihat and we passed
across the green to the Church. l re.
member well how the people appeared
as they came in seeming. to wonder what
kind of an exhibition was TO come off.
In The corner was the tavern-keeper,
and around him a number of his friends.
For an hour the people Of the place
continued to come in, until there was a
fair house full. All were curiously watch
ing at the door wondering what would ap-
! pear next. The pastor stole and took a
seat behind pillar under the gallery, as
if doubtful Of the propriety Of being in
Church at all. 8
] Two men finally came in. and went to
( the altar and took their seats. All eyes
were fixed upon them, and a general
Stiffness pervaded the house. .a
j The men were unlike in appearance,
one being short and thick-set, the other
was tall and well.formed. The younger
had the manner and dress of a clergy
men. full round face, and quiet good.
nalured look, as ne leisurely looked a
round the audience.
Bu, my childish interest was all in this
old man. His broad, deep chest, and un.
usual height, looked giant-like as he
strobe up the aisle. His hair was white
his brow deeply scanned with burrows
and around his handsome mouth, lines Of
calm, touching sadness. His eyes we're
black and restless, and kindled as the
tavern.keeper uttered low Jest aloud
His lips were compressed and Grim
son flush went and come over his pale
cheek. One arm was off above the Ell
bow, and there Esas a wide scar over the
right eye. r1t - ~ CT
The younger finally arose and stated
the object of of the meeting, and asked
# there was a clergyman present toopen
with prayer. wsi ssssssaslss SIS ts
Our pastor kept his seat, and The speak
Ter himself made a'short prayer, andthen