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

"What's that, [ wonder?" said Mrs
Seaburn, as she heard ring at the base
ment door,
"Ah--it's Marshall" returned her hus
band, who had looked out of the window
and recognized the grocer's cart.
"And what have you sent home now
Henry?"
But before Mr.. Seaburn could answer
the door of the sitting-room was opened
and one of the domestics looked in anC
asked;
"What'll I do with the demiiohns
mum?"
"DemJohns?" repeated Mrs. Seaburn.
"Let them set in the hall, and I'll attend
to them" inderposed the husband.
"Henry, what have you seut home now. "
the wife asked, after the domestic had
gone.
"Some nice old brandy" replied Henry.
Cora Seaburn looked up at the clock,
and then glanced down upon the floor.
There was cloud upon her fair brow, and
1t was very evident that something lay
heavily upon her heart. Presently she
walked to the wall, and pulled the bell cord,
and the summons was answered by the
chambernaid.
Are George and Charles in their room 2"
"Yes, ma'am"
'TeIl them it is school time"
The girl went out, and in little while
two boys entered the sitting room, with
their books under their arms, and their caps
in their hands. They were bright, happy.
healthy fellows, with goodness and truth
stamped upon their rosy faces, and the
light of free consciences cleaning in their
sparkling eyes. George was thirteen years
of age, and Charles eleven, anG certainly
those two parents had reason TO be proud
Of them.
The boys kissed their mother, gave a
happy good morning" to the father, and
then went away to school.
Cora" said Mr.. Seaburn, some time
after the boys had gone, "what makes you
so sober?"
"Sober?" repeated the wife, looking up.
"Yes. You have been sober and mute
ever since the grocer came"
"Do yoa want me to tell you why"
"Of course | do"
"Well, Henry l am sorry you had that
spirits brought into the house."
"Pooh! What's the use of talking so,
Cora? You wouldn' have me do without it,
would you?"
'Yes."
"Why-what do you meant"
81 mean that l would cut clear from the
stuff now and forever"
"But-Cora-you are wild. What
What should we do at our dinner parties
without wine" .-
"Do as Others do who have it not :"
"But-rnercy what would people think
Are you afraid that but no-I will not
ask 50 foolish a question:"
"Ask it Henry. Let us speak plainly,
now that We have commenced"
"Well, was about to ask if you were
afraid that [ should eyer-drink too
much?"
"Thats not a fair question, Henry. l
was not thinking of that, at all. But |
will answer that by and by. You have
no fixed appetite for it now"
"Of course not"
"Then it will not cost you any effort of
will to abstain from its use.n
Not particle"
"And you only have it in your house
and serve it to your friends, and drink it
yourself, because it is fashionableI or. in
other words, you do it because others do
itg"
Il do it because" said Mr.. Seaburn,
hesitating some in bis choice of language
because it would appear very odd and
niggardIy, and very fanatical, not to do it NJ
This last was spoken emphatically.
"But" pursued Mrs. Seaburn, with a
calmness and assurance of one who feels
the sustaining influence of Right @you
would not do what you were convinced
was wrong out of respect to any such con-
sideration, would youl' "You know |
would not, Cora. This question of tenn
perauce, l know, is good in the abstract,
and l am willing to live up to it, as l
understand it: but | am no tee totaller."
Henry. said his wife, with an earnest
look into his face, "will you answer me a
few questions, and answer them without
equivocation or evasion?" "Bless me, how
methodically you put it, Cora. But will
answer"
"Then-frst doyou believe you, or your
friends, are in any way benefited by the
drinking of intoxicating beverages at your
board? That sis, do you derive any real
good from it2''
"No, cant't say that we do"