The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-11-21
SCAN DIAL.
Written for the Democrat


Written for the Democrat
There are few Of the fashionable sins o
the day more calculated to excite the SOL
rowful apprehension Of the pure moralis
than the present wholesale, universal, un
discriminating love Of scandal. From tn
most trifing on dts to accusations Of thu
gravest offences against morality and re
lgion all are received, repeated, comment
ed on, added to, and believed with as mucl
eagerness and JOY as though they were tht
very tidings of salvation borne by Ange
visitants to the thirsting ears Of peniten,
and pardoned sinners.
i There are great many people in the
world who appear to have no kind of bust
ness Of their own to attend to, and gener.
ously and philanthropically devote all
their time and industry to tile adjustment
} Of their neighbors' affairs. Our commune
ty is literally supplied with such med.
dlers; and it would be amusing, if nfirth
were not overcome by indignation, to mark
the unrelenting pertinacity, and unfalter-
ing sagacity with which they will pursue a
balftold, awholly-guessed SANDER through
contradictions and complications hummer
able, until at last the chronique scandaleuse
is laid open for public inspection-every
detail amplifed, every weak point strength
ened, every saving doubt demolished, and
every damning fact blazoned to the world
with all the additions that mischief or
malice can suggest. Then, when the work
is complete, and some hapless victim is
writhing under the often unjust and un-
merited obloquy heaped upon his or her
devoted head, then the artifciers of this
goodly work rest from their labors, and re-
joice in the noble end they have achieved.
Perhaps it is only q piqaant bit of gossip
which engages their benevolent attention.
"Pray, did you know Mr.. So-and-so and
Miss Such-a-one are going to be married 2"
Married when 9-how 2-where 9-how
do you know 9'-question many voices;
and heads, in the eageriress of their owners
to'hear more quickly, are thrust forward
till there is some danger Of their knocking
together "Oh, ] don't know when, nor
where, nor how; but they sag there will
certainly be wedding soon, and it looks
very much like it for he went to see her
three times last week and walked with
her to church on Sunday" Admitted at I
once as conclusive evidence. Some weeks
later the tune is changed II thought
Mr. and Miss were to be mar
ried ever so fast 2" "Oh, no; the ENGAGE
n'entis broken off. They say the gentleman
got tired of it or he was only flirting from
the first and never meant to marry her.
Poor girl they say she is terribly disap-
pcinted-she was almost crazy about him"
Perhaps the lady and gentlemen in ques-
ton are married the week after; or per.
haps they never thought Of getting mar
ried in their lives-one is about as probable
as the other.
Some male friend is next called on the
tapis. He may be one Of high attachments,
OF unblemished honor and most kindly ma
ture-genius may have showered on him
her precious but perilous gifts, study en-
riched his mind, and true philanthropy
warmed his hcart-all cannot avail to save
him from the fangs of these human harpies.
One sin has sullied his soul--one foul
damning sin-the sin of iutemperance! It
has been his familiar demon for years-it
has degraded his lofty intellect that once
scared to Heaven and claimed affinity
with the Angels of knowledge, below the
evel of the lowest brute-it has soured his
'nce genial Kindly spirit till of its original
love for all mankind scarce one ,
alnt trace remains-it has almost DIES.
;royed his life, and placed his immortal |
'oul in Imminent and deadly peril !
Knows and feels all this as none but him
'an know and feel it; yet still cannot re- !
list, cannot break from the mighty serpent !
Odds that are hourly Tightening around 8
nm, and pressing the very life-blood from :
MS heart. Resolve upon resolve he forms; h
tut he "looks upon the wine when it is red {
when II giveth its color to the cnp,' and q
lis weak resolutions vanish into thin air. .
It last he gains strength, or it is youch- v
afed him from on high. Through such t
earful struggle as none can know but he !,
rho bears it, he comes victorious at last, d
nd worthier to wear the oak or laurel d
wreath than the mightiest conqueror Of I I
ncient or modern times, for he has con- !,
ended mot with the flesh only, but with c
overs and principalities of darkness" n
nd he has won The day! "There is ioy in :
leaven over one sinner that repenteth.o- 81
hould there not be triumph upon earth e
7hen one of the noblest Of her sons again a
axes bis place among men, and claims " :,
gain his forfeited inheritance as "heir Of Q
cd and co-heir with Christi" Hear the f
cans OF graduation that poured forth p .,
wonder if Mr.. A. hasn't taken to f. r
rink again 2 met him on the street d
esterday, and his face looked suspiciously
ID" More than likely-when a man
ace drinks like he did it's very hard to
nit, and they never stay quit. I've no O
18th in reformed drunkards for nv part . n
Nor 1-nor echoes and re-echoes from
'ch member Of the clique. Soon report = !,
spread abroad that Mr.. A. drinks =.
saln as handsome say harder than ever. +.
here the foul SANDER originated. or n,
hence 1t sprung, none know; but it rolls of
like the destroying avalanche gathering It
esh strength and volume as it goes, nm. ne
| If 0npifoo NTH III. | w