Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-09-28
TEMPERANCE COL UMN.
A Human Wreck.


countless numbers, who form dissOlute
habits and drift away amid the wrecks
of our race. We have wept over
many who have thus fallen miserable
shattered hulks of what they once
were and promised to be.
Take solitary example from the
many that have fallen under my own
observation. He was a man Of eccen-
trio but brilliant talents. More than
a quarter of a century ago, when |
first saw him, he was in full tide Of
life, professional man Of educated
mind, and refined manner. As a
public speaker and editor his influence
was extensive, and he commanded the
attention and respect OF the people,
He was withal, a reformer and stood
in freedoms front ranks when mObs
were the order of the day. have
often admired his dauntlesS courage
IN those crucial days that so severely
trIcd the stuff that men are made OF.
Unseduced, unbribed, unterrilied, he
stood forth for years the champion OF
equal rights, regardless of color, con-
dition or cline.
But in the course of events, there
came a juncture when he was chosen
to on advanced position of honor in
the Legislature of his native State
To short sighted human view this was
fortunate, but to him in reality, most
unfortunate for here he came in con
tact with vices in high lite, caressed
and applauded by class of unprinci-
pied prohigates and intriguers. He
became fascinated-became worse
their dupe and victim. He went their
ways, led as the fettered is led; drank
with them, drank wine, drank what
was stronger; drank what was manu-
featured in Deacon Giles distillery,
as described by Cheeyer in his dream
Habit became fixed inveterate, and he
once so manly and noble, became the
blinded sensual slave of the drunkard :
cup. So was this old friend Of mine
led to ruin. His home, once so cheer
full and sunny, became the home of the
mailman.
In one Of his insane drunken fits he
mangied MS wife and murdered hi:
innocent bright faced boy. Like {
fend he murdered him, cut his thrOa
from ear to ear, and the poor mother
manged and bleeding, fleeing for life
and crying for help to save her child
Good heavens, what spectacle, anC
all wrought by the hands of him who
had been such a father, and such I
man. Now the blood Of innocence
dripping from his hands and he hu
man wreck.
will not follow this terrible scene
through the arrest and long imprisOn
ment and trial, and how, through in
fuential friends, the criminal father
was cleared by combining him in Ia
matte asylum, on the plea Of insanity
In some way he made his escape
from the asylum, and under an assum
ed name, wandered through the lanC
soeking rest but finding none,
he came to my house since my re
moval to the west, a mere waste
wreck of a man; a ghoStly walkin
apparition of what | knew him once t
have been. His raiment was in rag
and trouble on his brow; trOubl
speaking from every feature OF h
furrowed careworn countenance, an
tear clutching every heart string
haunting him ever, so that every moi,
would alarm him and he would loo
wildly around as though his hour al
end had come. He begged me n
disclose his real name, nor give tt
least trace that would lead to his a
rest. l could see no danger fro
this as he had once been acquitte
but nothing could allay his fear.
Poor man. I had no heart to
over the fearful tragedy through viii
he had passed. cheerfully help
him on his weary way, whittier knC
not.
He was still the slave of stro
drink. On this subject | expostul
ed with him, long and earnestly, a
when sobered he sobbed like a chi
/ shall never forget how sadly he
by my side; this wreck of man, a
grasping my hands in his, entreat
mo to help him, to stand by him,
save him from the demon who h
chained him, and ruined him, pc
man! how memory gathered
record Of earlier years, and the cri
and suffering Of later years, q
crowded into all those sad mOmen
Pity him yes, from heart Of hearts
pitied him. Who wonld not pit
Hearts Of stone would pity in an he
and scene like that. l reminded h
of the dear loving Lord, who came
to the world to seek and to save [
lost, and pointed him to that ma
that is strong high tower of defen
to which he might flee and be safe.
Can ever? was his brief reply.
drew up temperance pledge in t
usual form for his signature, as
first and proper act if he meant ref
nation. Now come the struggle W
this poor fallen man. He looked
the pledge over and over, and seem
resolved to commit himself and 81
it, then he hesitated and faltered.
He took a pencil, saying he wol
draw a pledge that he would siy
With some of the old talent that OF
characterized him, he rapidly DIR
the draft that now lies before me.
There was not an instant's hesitate
in the composition-all done me
rapidly than | can transcribe it, a
Is as follows -
y We seen the waste behind,
see the gulf before,
And with ght mind
think I'll drink no more"