Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-11-29
For THE REPORTER.
THE TIPPLER'S VISION.

In a neighboring State, nestled smong
the hills, which like grim giants stand
guard over the merry, sparkling river, are
few, cosy happy homes forming the little
village of Glenburg. One little cottage
you would notice particularly, because Of
an air of comfort and refinement which
floated around. The yard was well filled
with choice vines and evergreens tasteful
ly arranged and the interior of the cot
tage was in harmony with the beauties
which Nature had lavished around
One bright starry evening, in the sum-
mer time, you might have seen a young
man, of prepossessing appearance, enter
the cottage, and throw himself upon sofa,
in his own room. Near by was a table,
upon which were seen glasses and several
empty JottleS showing too plainly, what his
habits were
Suddenly he heard his name called and
hastily rising, and passing again into the
street, he saw before him, the Empress
Pleasure, with her attendant satellites, gor-
geously attired, beckoning to him but flee
ing as he approached. His brain began to
reel and everything to change, around him.
The beautiful summer night, with its
balmy breezes and odorous nowers,--the
silvery moon, chung like a gem on the
brow of the sky" light, crystal clouds
had all disappeared.
In the new, strange country, into which
he had entered, were only rough, rugged
hills and fruitless valleys, or filled only
with noisome nettles, among which SER
pents Kissed and crawled He looked tow
ard the sky, expecting to see light, but the
moon had sunk behind clouds of leaden
blackness. He paused to think where he
could be- and wonder why he had come
thither, and looking back he saw two lights
the one Of his fathers counsels, the other
his mothers prayers-but they immediate
ly vanished, and looking a second time all
was dark
Gazing into blackness and despair, his
heart sunk within him AS he revie wed his
past short life, how little of good, how
much Of evil he saw, and looking before
him, he saw the blue flames which the De-
mon Wine was burning around an open
grave The wretched man could no longer
endure the agony but wept aloud Pres
emily he heard song, low and thrilling,
and again staring around he beheld
beautiful cherub, which was like the form
of little sister, that he had seen years be-
fore, with the sunny curls pressed gently
back from the pure, pale brow, the light of
the laughing blue eyes, put out forever,
and with white rosebuds in the dimpled
hands folded lovingly over the sinless
breast--laid to rest in cold narrow bed.
Nearer she came and the song was still
more sweet. at is surely little Elsie come
back to me" he said. Coming so near that
he could discern the waving wings and
golden harp, she sung to the wretched man
of new life, high and holy--free from the
fetters Of sin and the gives of intemper-
ance. Instinctively he arose as she de-
scribed in ecstatic strains, the triumph of
human heart over sin, and kneeling as she
told Of the great joy Of the reward, and of
the perfect bliss of the redeemed soul-he
prayed for the power to begin
life anew-to strive once more to meet and
overcome temptation.
And his prayer was answered, for this
was but dream which had visited the
slumber Of youth who was just entering
the downward road--and by it was saved.
NJ. II.