The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-05-21
WooDsFIELD MONROE COUNTY, OHIO, NAY 2L, 1867.

OuSC. LIZ Wdo uV1 oo iulOA W perceive
danger; was less on his guard. Many
currents passed against him, bearing him
often away from safe channels.
His head grew less strong against
wine; his ear less sensitive to unseemly
speech; his eyes became tempters. For
hidden fruit was not looked upon with
desire, but sometimes plucked and eaten.
leaving upon the taste its after bitterness
and disgust. And yet, among his com
panions, he was noted for large degree
of self-control; for the ability to stop at
the point of danger, and to go resolutely
back, no matter who might take offense
and sneer.
"He bears a;charmed life, g3rssid- d-many
a weak one, sighing over his own debase-
ment. "If I could only plant my feet as
he does, and say, Not one step farther in
that wrong direction. j."
But of himself Alfred was not so
strong. It was not the firm will that saved
him, but rather the charmed life. He
had tallsman, and by virtue of that he
was enabled to stand amid temptation
where SO many fall.
A year of city life wrought changes in
our friend. He had grown manlier in
appearance, and moved with frmer step
and more confident air.
The experience of that first year-,,.e
dangers and escapes-the new aspect of
life it had revealed to our young friend,
were lessons not to be unheeded.
One day, during the first month of his
second year in the city, our young friend
was sitting alone in his proprietor's office,
late in the afternoon, when an acquaint-
ance came in. He was about Alfred $
age, youth of superior talents, and, like
him, had spent his earlier years in the
country. The eity's allurements had
been too strong for him. He had fallen
into many vices, and they had woven, like
busy spiders, their half invisible cords
about him, until he was held an almost
powerless captive. He was pale; his eyes
were congested from recent dissipation;
his hand was hot and trembling, as he
laid it in that Of his friend
"How are you?" asked Alfred.
"Don't ask me; you see how I am
wretched," was the unhappy reply.
"Are you sick?"
"Yes, in body and mind! OH wish
| was deadl''
"There is better, brayer, and man
lier wish than that" said Alfred.
"For one like you, perhaps, who have
gone through the fire unharmed, but not
for me. have no will-no power. Ny
good resolutions are like FAX and my ap-
petite like flame. How did you stand,
when / and SO many like me went DOWN.
"Not in my own strength" replied AL
fred, his face growing serious.
"You moved amongst those evil allure
ments as if you we're in armor against
them. Ah how often have envied your
power to stop at the right moment. 1
have seen you leave card-tabls when a
stake was proposed; I saw you push aside
the bottle when others were drowning
reason and elf-control; I have seen you
turn back shuddering when syreE voices
were in your ears, and others went madly
on to folly and disgrace. How was it?"
81 had a talisman," said Alfred
"Through that I was safe"
"What is it2' The young man looked
up quite hopefully at his friend.
'Let me tell you all about it." Al
fred's voice softened, ard his eye had a
tender light. son the day before I left
home | was lying on the sofa dreaming of
the future. My heart was full of grand
anticipations; / saw splendid career be-
fore me. The picture that my fancy Gre
ated was full of allurements. From this
dream | was suddenly awakened. A
warm kiss touched my forehead again,
and I feel it with a strange distinctness.
Then comes vision of that tender, low
ing face, and start back with shudder.
1t seems for time as if my mothers eye
was resting on me.
Silence followed
ri havesno mother" was answered in a
sad voice. 3"When went out rom home
no talismanic kiss was printed on my
forehead"
"Have you a sister?" asked Alfred.
A faint light flashed into the young
mans face.
eyes," he replied, and his voice trem-
bled little, II have sister. Dear GIRL
1t would break her heart to see me as
am now"
"Is not her pure kiss now on your lips
and cheek?"
"Yes, yesI' The voice shook still
more.
"Then be that sisters kiss your tails.
man!''
"God bless you'll" cried the young man
grasping Alfred's hand. "My feet touch
bottom. / feel the commencement Of
resisting power. o, the food shall not
overwhelm me again. My sisters kiss
shall save me"
He trembled, light warmed his pale
face, hope looked out Of his eyes.
"Let il be talismanic to restrain as well
as to protect" said Alfred. "Let its
sweet influence hold you back from dan.
gerous ways and evil companionship.-
We fall, because We go into slippery pla
ces. 1t is easier to keep away from temp
tation than to resist its influence.
"Thank you, my friend, for that warn.
ling" answered the young man. at shal
be Needed Yes, yes" he added speak.
ling hopefully, almost cheerfulIy, amy
talisman shall restrain.
You would hardly have known him q