Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-07-12
A PAGE from Lies History,

II was a wild, wild night. Rain and
/ snow fell necessarily, and Natures eIe-
ments seemed at war with each other
vivid lightning flashed the sky, the thun-
der rolled solemnly in its rear, and the
earth groaned under the fierce March
campaign.
All, save a solitary guardian of the
night, posted here and there, over the
great city, had returned to rest. al, did
| say? All, but one--one poor, shiver-
ing outcast, bereft of home, friends, soci-
ETY., and everything man holds dear on
earth
He stood at the corner Of two great
streets, up to his knees in snow. Ragged,
starving, and miserable-numb with cold,
dicncheu with ~vot, hair and beard en-
crusted with snow and ice, he was surely
an object to be pitied.
His name was Charles Brent His
history can be told in few words. Born
of rich parents, Charles Brent lived life
of ease, until large enough to enter his
fathers counting-room. He became a
partner, and at the time of his fathers
death had acquired an ample fortune. He
married a fair, gentle girl, with tender
blue eyes, q loving heart, and just the one
for our young friend. Soon after the
birth Of little girl, Charles mother died
For a while he was irconsoIable. But
the feeling soon wore off, and he gave
himself up to the follies, cares, and per-
plexities Of fashionable life.
He gave magnificent parties, at which
the elite Of the city attended. OF course.
wines, cards, etc, were introduced, and
he got into the habit of drinking. IL grew
upon him until he had his glass three
times day; then four, five, and so on,
till he became a noted tippler.
His wife demonstrated with him. He
laughed at her, and babe her not trouble
herself He was all right Thus he con-
tinued, day after day, till he was brought
from his counting-house, drunk. This al
most broke his wife's heart. Again she
pleaded. All in vain.
The death Of their eldest child, howev-
er, brought him for awhile, to his senses
but he soon fell into his old ways, and
was as bad as ever. His poor wife, tired
out, gave up her life, and passed from
thus cold, cruel world to the realms above
Even this did not shake the career of
Brent Two months after his wife's de-
cease, his last and remaining child died,
and then he was indeed alone.
He gave up his business, and frequent
ed low drinking and gambling houses
Ills friends tried to induce him to reform.
and do better but with little avail. Dee
per and deeper he plunged into the mire,
and at last was deserted by all his friends
and acquaintances. He then became q
confirmed sot, and could be seen. at all
hours, in some den, wasting life, and
what little of his large and splendid for
tune he possessed, and seemed irretrieva-
bly, lost.
When he had spent all, he was ordered
from the rum shop which he patronized,
by the hard-hearted landlord, and thus we
find him, on the tenth of March, in the |,
street, deserted, forsaken, and miserable. |
Il am weary-very weary" he muir
INJURED, as he struggled up the street, Hand |
know not where to lay my headl Oh. |
that l had lived another mani Here | !
am, penniless, wretched-alOne An out |
cast from all that's pure, and good, and
holy Oh, Heaven have mercy on me -
He paused, and shuddered, as a gust of |
wind and sleet enveloped him him in its
icy embrace.
Liquor, accursed liquor! thou hast
brought me to this Had | controlled
my appetite, might have been respect
ed man, virtuous man, a good man.
What am | now2 a miserable wreck