The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-01-08


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"Why-I think it has administered tc
our comfort Cora"
"How?"
"Oh-in many ways"
"Name one of them"
"Why--in the real enjoyment Of oul
guests"
"Ah! but am speaking of ourselves
Henry-of YOU and me and our little fam
lily. Has it ever ministered to our com.
fort?"
"No, I can't say that it has,"
'And if it was banished from our house
to day, and forever, as beverage, should
we suffer in consequence" Certainly
What should our friends say?"
"Ah, but stop. am only speaking OF
our own affairs, as shut out from the world,
by our own fresde. | want all extran-
eous considerations left out. Should we,
as family, suffer in our moral, physical,
social or domestic affairs in the total abstin-
ence from this beverage?'
"No, | don't know that we should"
"Then to you, as a husband, and as a
father, and as a man, it is of no earthly
use?"
"No."
"And would it cost you no effort, so far
as you alone are concerned, to break clear
from it?"
"Not particle"
"And now, Henry" pursued the wife,
with increased earnestness, " have a few
more. questions to ask. Do you believe
that the drinking of intoxicating beverages
is an evil in this country"
"Why, as it is now going on, I certainly
do"
"And isn't it an evil in society"
"Yes"
"Look over this city, and tell me if it is
not a terrible evil"
"a terrible evil grows out OF the abuse
of t, Cora"
"And will you tell me, what good grows
out of the use of itI
"Really, love- when you come down to
this abstract point, you have the field
but should govern their appetites. All
things may be abused"
"Yes. But will you tell me the use
the real good-to be derived from drink
ing wine and brandy?"
"As said before, it is social custom,
and has its charms"
"Ah, there you have it, Henry. 1t has
its charms as the deadly snake is said to
have But see you are in hurry"
at is time was at the store"
IL will detain you but moment longer,
Henry. Just answer me few more ques-
tions. Now call to mind all the families of
your acquaintance of all the domestic
circle you have known from your schoolhoy
days to the present. Run your thoughts
through the various homes where you have
been intimate. Do this and tell me if, in
any one instance you ever knew single Joy
to be planted by the hearth-stone by the
wine-cup. Did you ever know one item of
good to family from its use p
mo, | cannot say that | evor did not
as you mean"
"And now you answer me again-Think
OF these homes once more. Call to memo
ry the playmates of your chiidhood-think
of the homes they have made-think of
other homes-think of the firesides where
all you know dwell, and tell me if you have
seen any sorrows flow from the wine cup?
Have you seen any great griefs planted by
Misunderstanding bowl upon the hearthstone!''
Henry Seaburn did not answer, for there
passed before him such grim specters Of sor-
rows and grief that he shuddered at the
mental vision. He saw the youth cut
down in the hour of promise; he saw
hearts broken and homes made desolate
he saw affection wither up and die; and no
BILE lutellects stricken down Good heavens
what sights he saw as he unrolled the can
vass of his memory.
"Henry," whispered the wife, moving to
his side, and winding one arm gently
around his neck "we have two boys-they
are growing to be men. They are noble,
generous and warmhearted. They love
their home and honor their parents. They
are here to form those characteristic rece-
i've those impressions which shall be the ba-
sis upon which their future veal or woe
must rest. Look at them-O, think of
them. Think of them doing battle in the
great struggle of life before them. Shall
they carry out from their home one single
evil influence? Shall they, in the time to
come, fall by the way side, cut down by the
demon of the cup, and in their dying hour
curse the example whence they derive the
appetite? O-for our children-fcr those
two boys-for the memories we would have
them cherish of their homes-for the good
old age they may reap-let us cast out this
thing now and forever"
"Henry, you are not offended?''
NO." he said. He returned her kiss
and without another word left the house
and returnde to the stored.