The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-06-23


heart to be shattered and bleeding; soon
was it to be overhowcd with the gall of
bitterness. For week or more | was
peculiarly unfortunate, losing every
night more or less. 1t may be supposed
that this continued ill-luck affected me
considerably, and that my masters
drawer had to suffer by it. This was
not all. To drown the regret expert
enced on account of my losses, l had re-
course to frequent and liberal potations.
The more l lost the more l drank. /
had often deceived my mother, who fire.
quently detected the smell of spirit
when | entered the room, by telling her
l had been working among liquor in the
store. For awhile this excuse answered.
But when every night / entered the
room, l brought with me the scent of
spirituous liquors, her suspicious became
awakened. Never-never shall forget
the hour, the terrible hour, when q
mothers hopes were blasted, and her
fond heart plunged into woe! return
ed from the gaming-table at late hour,
past midnight. That night had been
unusually unfortunate; in consequence
of which l drank freely and became
much excited. To have seen me at the
table, shouting, and drinking, and sing
ing, one would have thought me the
happiest fellow in the universe. Ny
purse was completely drained, and /
played on tick. But in my then frame
of mind money was no object to me;
so | played and lost--played and lost
occasionally raising stake, until / be-
came deeply involved in debt. / cared
not. l kept on my riotous course of
shouting, swearing, and singing until
the company broke up.
My mother was anxiously awaiting
for me; and "My dear son, how glad |
am you have comet" went to my heart
like q burning arrow. My excitement
had not worn off, and 1 saw she eyed
me suspiciously, so hurried off to bed
as quick as possible. From the effects
Of the liquor l had swallowed l was
soon asleep. How long l was asleep /
know not, when 1 was awakened by
something dropping on my face. On
looking up l beheld my mother at the
head of my bed, with her hands clasped
and the big tears of agony rolling down
her time-worn cheeks. In moment
suspected the worst, and ] hid my head
N oil lnt hn ~ RI
ing over me, and was awakened by q
mothers tear! | dared not lift my face
to meet her eye; but | drew the bed
clothes closer around me. Oh! how my
heart struggled with shame! Death |!
Death! how l wished for you when /
heard my mothers voice, trembling
with age and agony. "George, George
that should have lived to witness this
hour! would to God had followed you
to your grave in your infancy! my
child! my child" she frantically and
broken-heartedly screamed. "Woe is
me, that l have lived to witness my
sons shame" 1 strove to stop my
ears to shut out her voice, but in vain.
The words sounded in my ears with
terrible emphasis; and so to my dying
day will they ring. The discovery of
her sons vileness, the sudden crushing
of her hopes, were too much for her ;
she sunk senseless on the bed.
1t was long time before she revived ;
and heavily smote my conscience, as l
gazed by the dim light of the lamp on
her pale face, and felt the coldness of
her forehead as l bathed it with vinegar.
was fearful life had entirely forsaken
her, but at last she came to. | could not
stand and meet her look, and was turn
ing to leave the room, when in a faint
voice she requested me to stay by her.
| was struck with the altered tone of her
voice; she did not speak reprOachfully,
but so calmly and tenderly that the
tears gushed from my eyes in torrents;
it almost broke my heart to listen to her;
and there was something in her tone
that thrilled fearfully through me, so
that every word she uttered was dead,
at myheart, it was so hollow
and unearthly. "Stay, my son." taking
my hand between her own, the iciness
of which made me shudder; 81 wish
not to chide you. But, oh, George, if
you value your peace here and your
eternal happiness hereafter, leave off
taste not, touch not the ac-
cursed poison! Oh, God ~ she fervent-
ly added, strengthen him to resist
his footsteps from the
path that leads to the dark and dreadful
pits of destruction! My son." she adj
ded in thicker voice, Z" if you respect
your mothers memory, if you respect
your own character, remember and be
guided by her last words-taste-"
Mother, mother! what ails you /" l
for | saw her cOuntenance
change suddenly. The blood began to
settle about the eyes, which became
CLASSY, and pale streak encircled her
mouth, while her breath grew shorter.
" swear, mother, swear never to touch
another drop of the accursed stuff" l
in hurried and trembling voice.
A gleam of satisfaction shot across her
face for moment, as she with difficulty
"Gcorge, remember your
Oathn These were her last words; and
barely were they uttered ere |, the only
living being in that still chamber, was
bending over her lifeless form. Never,
reader, never may you be placed in a
like situation. / stood bent over the