The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1865-12-28

one in the abstract, and I am willing ITO
live up to 1t as understand it; but I an,
not teto taler.'
| Henry said his wife, with an earnest
look into his face, will you answer me a
few questions, and answer them without
equivocation Or evasion?'
Bless me, how methodical you put It,
Cora. But go ahead, L will answer.
Then, first do you believe you, or your
friends are in any way beneRtted by the
drinking ofintoxicating beverages atyour
board? That is, do you derive any real
good from itg
No can't say that we do
DO you think the time has ever. been
since We were married, when we actually
needed wine in the house for either health
or comfort? tA" 3t2s
'Why-I think it has administered to our
comfort, Cora %
'How?'
| 'Oh-in many ways us
Name one.' % -.a'"1. .s#. a@
why. in the real enjoyment of our
guests . ...... -..r... -...,. +. F..,..
'Ah-but am speaking of ourselves
of you and me and our little family. Has
it ever miuistered to our comforts?
No, cant say it has, s...H H.- -.
And if it was banished from our house
to-day and forever, as a beverage, should
we suffer in consequence ....ts
Certainly. What would our friends
saw ra.ru~- .rFr go. ... .an.# lH
'Ah. but stop. I am only speaking of
our own affairs, rs shut out from the world
by our own fireside. want all extrane-
Gus considerations left ont. Should we as
family, suffer in our moral. physical, So
cial or domestic affairs in total abstinence
from this beverage?'
NO, don't know that we sheuld.' H.
Then do Won rs a husband. and father
and as n man, think it is Of no earthly
user .......
NO. ...., .r ...
And it would cost you no effort to break
clear from it, ID.
Not particle
And now Henry pursued his wife with
great earnetsness, Il have few more ques-
tons to ask. Do you believe that the
drinking OF ofintoxicatiug beverages is an
evil in this counntry?' N "n.. 'r t'n'.
"Why, as it now goes on, Imost certain,
ly do
And is it an evil in society?' -,... ..Ht
Yes ...~- d "t-.' '.....s
Look over th- city and tell me lift is
not II terrible evil?'
"A terrible evil grows out of the abuse of
it, Cora.
And will you tell me what good grows
out of the use of it
Really, love. when you come down to
this abstract point, you have the field.-
But people sh 'uid govern their appetites.
All things may be abused
Yes. But will you tell me the use-the
-aal e->>>-- ss aost--~a- f,a,,.
| wine and brandy?'
AS said before, il is social custom,
and has its charms
All, there you have it, Henry. 1t does
have its charms as the deadly snake is
said to have! But see you are in hur-
ry.'
| Yes. IT ia time was at the store.
Il will detan you but a moment longer,
| Henry. just answer me ew moreques-
tions. Now call to mind all the families
OF your acquaintance; all the domestic
circles you have known from your school,
boy days to the present. Run your tho'ts
through the various homes where you've
been intimate. Do this and tell me if in
one instance you ever knew single JOY to
be planted at the hearthstone hv the wine
cup? Did you ever know one item of good
to family from its use,'
| NO, can't say that ever did not as
you mean
| And now you answer me again-think
of those homes once more. Call to MEM
ory the playmates of your childhood
| think of the homes they have made-think
Of other homes-think of the firesides
where all you know dwell, and tell me If
you have seen any sorrows flow from the
wine cup? Have you seen any great
grie planted by the Intoxicating bowl, on
the hearth-stnne?'
Henry Seaburn did not answer, for there
passed before him such grim spectres of
sorr Wv and grief that he shuddered at the
mental vision. He saw the youth cut down
in the hour of promise he saw hearts brok-
en- and homes made desolate he saw at
fection wither up and die and noble intel
lects stricken down! Good Heaven what
sights he saw as he unrolled the canvass
of his memory. ...
Henry whispered the wife, moving to
his side, and winding one arm gently
around his neck, I'VE have two boys-they
are growing to be men, they are noble,
generous and warm-hearted. They love
their home, and honor their parents.-
They are here to form their characteristic
receive those impressions which shall be
the basis upon which their future veal or
woe must rest. Look at them-think of
them doing battle i'm the great struggle of
life before them. Shall they carry out
from their homes one evil influence? Shall
they in the time to come, fall by the way
side, cnt down hy the demon of the cup,
and in their dying hours curse the example
whence they derived the appetizer o, for
our children-for those two boys-for the
memories we would have them cherish of
their home-for the good old age they may
reap, let us cast out this thing now and
| foreyeri'