Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-22

pered, ny OVer-lnOulgence IN eating
and drinking. Upon his death the
family had removed to the city, where
Clinton Vas engaged in a prosperous
business. - .og wCa
But alas young, handsome, and
talanted, he was soon drawn into the
society of pleasure seekers, men of
the world, who sneered at religion,
and whose motto, seemed to be, q Let
US eat and drink, for tomorrow we
die" IA ...-o.F4
Gradually, step by step, he went
the downward road until now
great abyss yawned before him, and
he had reused himself to make one
desperate effort before all should be
lost. He had tried moderation in
vain. A love for the Intoxicating
bowl, a restless longing for the excite
ment it produces, had taken posses
sion of him, and as he entered upon
the New Year he trembled for him
self; but while he felt his danger, he
looked not up to Him who "is able to
succor them that are tempted" he
bent not the knee to seek divine as
sistance, to ask for heavenly strength
to overcome. Ee lenc-117 a-5
After passing from one gay circle
to another, Clinton entered the ele.
CANT mansion ola friend. The spark
| ling wine was there, and manv were
drinking to the health and future
happiness of the lady Of the house and
her beautiful daughter, who soon in
vited Clinton to join them, while her
own fair hand presented the wine
cup. .--
As he refused she laughed gaily,
then urged, insisted, and finally ridi-
culed, until to escape from her deris-
ion he took the fatal glass, and drank
to his own destruction. .--.
Alas where was his boasted self
control, his decision of character, his
firm resolve? gone, put to fight by
the laugh of woman. He hurried
away, a great fear had seized him, and
the voice of conscience he could not
) listen to; he must silence it.
, Driving rapidly through the city
he soon reached low drinking sa
loon, where, alas! he was but toe
/, well known. Here he obtained the
: frey poison which sent a burning
v heat through his veins, and, a madden
1 ing fever to his brain. 1t was past
l midnight when he threw himself
Il recklessly into his sleigh, and lashed
P his patient steed into a furious gallop
d he drove-he knew not, cared not
i whether. --.-5.---
J. Another hour, and few watchmen
) gathered around a bleeding body,
which lay upon the snow; while a
broken sleigh, with its painting ter
rifed horse, told the tale. AS they
consulted together, doctors gig ap-
preached, which they quickly hailed.
He willingly came to their aid, and at
a glance took in the case. He recog-
nized as once his old school mate
for the doctor was no other than
Henry Fisher, now a respected and
rising physician, and well known as a
strong temperance advocate.
Tenderly lifting the almost ifelcss
form into his carriage, he drove slow
ly to his own residence, for he was
ignorant of Clayton's home. For
weeks he watched him with broth
er's love and tenderness; for long
weeks the broken-hearted mother sat
beside what she supposed to be
the death-bed of her darling son.
He slowly rallied and came back
from the borders of the grave; but
Clinton Russell, as he once was, never
returned. His mind, his talents, his
health, and strength, had been de-
stroyed; he who was fitted by educa-
ton to influence other minds, became
as child, and would sit for hours
amusing himself with children's toys.
i By DR.. Fishers advice he was
sent to an asylum, where such cases
are treated with great skill but it
was in vain; no human being could
call back the wandering reason, or
impart life and vigor to the shattered
mind. --. ..-. .... .
Aftera few years, his friends in
sorrow brought him home, wreck,
and he lives still-for this story is
no mere fancy sketch-lives, fearful
warning to ALL Boysl be warned by
this young mans history, to "look
not On the wine when it is red"
@Touch not, taste not, handle not
} Youths TemDer1uce Banner.