National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-07-13


greatest enemies!
In many a beautiful home, on
many a hospitable table, i'm the hands
of many fair ones even, sparkle tie
wine-that which " at the last blteth
like a serpent and stingeth like an
adder and many yielded to the in
vitation of would-be friends, to
drink to a Happy New Year; many
on that bright, beautiful day, took
the first step in that way which leads
to sure and everlasting destruction.
Clinton Russell resolved, as he
stepped into his sleigh, that no III
toxicating drink should pass his
lips that day; and his thoughts re-
verted to the discussion on the vii
lage green, ten years before, and his
own words came back to his memory,
''One has only to make up his mind"
Poor Clinton! young although he
was, he had already yielded to the
tempter, and proved the bitterness
of sin. That fearful habit, which
when once formed binds its victim
and leads him captive, had thrown a
chain around him which slowly but
surely was dragging him downward.
Mr.. Russell had died some years
be, u, in Il fit produced by, it was
whispered, by over indulgence III
eating and drinking. Upon his
death the family had removed to the
city, where Clinton was engaged i'll
n prosperous business.
But alas! young, handsome and
talented, he was soon drawn into
the society of pleasure seekers, men
of the world, who sneered at relig-
ion, and whose motto seemed to be,
Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow
we die"
Gradually, step by step, he went
the downward road until now a
great abyss yawncd before him, and
he had reused himself to make one
/ desperate effort before all should he
lost. He had tried moderation in
vain. A love for the intoxicating
bowl, restless longing for the eX-
citcment it produces, had taken pos
session of him, and as he entered
upon the New Year he trembled for
himself; but while he felt his dan
ger, he looked not up to Him who
is able to succor them that arc
tcmptcd,' he bent on the knee to sccl;
divine assistance, to ask for heaven
IL strength to overcome.
: After passing from one gay circle
TO another, Clinton entered the elc
CANT mansion of a friend. Tha
sparkling wine was there, and many
were drinking to the health and fiji
ture happiness Of the lady of the
house and her beautiful daughter
who soon invited Clinton to join
them. while her own fair hand pre-
scented the winc-cup.
!, As he refused she laughed gaily
then urged. insisted, and finally II
+ diculcd, until to escape from her de
: riSion he took the fatal glass, ant
, dranl, to his own destruction.
Alas! where was his boaSted self
) control, his decision of character
his firm resolve! gone, put to tligh
by the laugh of woman. He hui
. led away, II great fear had seizc'
him, and the voice of conscience h
| could not listen to; he must silcnc,
V it.
, Driving rapidly through the city
! he soon reached low drinking 81
t loon, where, alas! he was but to
e well known. Here he obtained tn
Il fiery poison which sent Il burnin
o heat through his veins, and, Il mac
). dening fever to his brain. 1t wa
:. past midnight when he threw hin
self rccklcsSly into his sleigh, an
e dashed his patient Stccd into Il fur
c ous gallop, he drovc--hc knew no
Il cared not.
,c Another hour, and Il few watcl
Il men gathered around hlecdin
" body, which lay upon the snow
n while Il broken sleigh, with its pan
ing terrified horse, told the tale. \
y they consulted together, II doctor
/; gig approached, which they halle
Sc He willingly came to their aid, al
~ at glance took in the case. He l
. cognizcd at once his old scho
is mate: for the doctor was no 9th
us than Henry Fisher, now rcspcct'
and singpl,ysician, andwcll know
>h as strong temperance advocate.
ut Tcndcrly lifting the almost iii
ho less form into his carriage, he dro
y: slowly to his own residence, for
od was ignorant of Clayton's hon
For weeks he watched him with
brothers love and tenderness
ar long weeks the broken hearted mot
he or sat beside what she supposed
as bc the dcatib bed of her darling's,
Is, He slowly rallied and came ba
nd from the borders of the grave ; i
lc. Clinton Russell, as he once was,
al yer returned. His mind, his talcn
MI his health, and strength, had he
W. destroyed: he who was fitted
'cr education to- influence other min
ch became rs u child, and would nit
he hours amusing himself with chi
rcn's toys.
'cy BY DR.. Fishers advice he was y,
air to an asylum, where such cases
cn. treated with great skill; but ii v
irc in vain; no human being could ,
lgs back the wandering reason, or
ny part life and vigor TO the shattc
IN mind.
After u few years, his friends
up sorrow brought him home, u wrc