Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-27
There tbs ! Phil is of an old and

aristocratic family, he himself proud
spirited, sensitive, and keenly suscep'
tible to outside Impressions. You go
to him and say virtually, Phil Dem.
ming! You are a drunkard, and NO
longer fit to associate with me or my
friends. Here is a society for such
as you, not such as I would associate
with, but it is for the benefit of drunk.
ards, and [ advise you to go there and
see if you can't keep sober! Phil
hears you and his proud and sensi.
tive nature rebels, and he feels that
if you are above such things, he Ger.
tainly will not have anything to do
with them. So he turns to the dram
shop and over the Hon. George Har-
ding and men Of such position, stumbles
into a drunhard's grace."
God seemed to have sent the shaft
home, for at the same moment,
"Where is Abel, thy brother 2" start.
led me as if distinctly uttered. Ray
noticed the impression, and con-
tinued:
"I have spoken plainly, but spoken
truth, and you must pardon me.
Could l have had such help years
ago; had you my friend and neigh
bor, led the way, what a different his
tory would have been mine, and that
of my family. Go with me tonight,
and then seek out Demming."
The pale face of his young wife
rose up before me pleadingly. I hes
itated a moment, and then for others
sake consented.
And so was good Templar
felt a little odd at first, but found
many Of my neighbors around me,
some Of them humble, it was true, but
respectable, and earnestly at work in
behalf of their fellows. The atmos.
phere was new, but my soul involun-
tarily expanded in it, and a somewhat
novel, but most pleasant sensation,
like a new life stole over me.
Ed Ray was W. G. T., and pre-
sided with spirit and dignity which
would have honored positions of
greater pretentiOn.
"12th order of business. Has any
one anything to say for the good OF
the Order y Under this head,
move that this Lodge present Carrie
Demming and children, with sobe,
husband and father, and | request
Bro. Geo. Harding, to act as com.
mittee of one to see that such resolu-
ton, if adopted, is Immediately car.
ried out.
The response was deafening. II
was a novel motion, hut the more
thought Of it, the more my soul was
stirred, and determined to faithfully
perform the part assigned me.
a will do my duty" l replied, and
now, if thought best, if | can find
Demming."
"Aye, aye, and now," said the mem
bers, many of them weeping in their
excitemtnt. And ! emerged from the
Lodge room into the street, differ
cnt being than | went in. My feet
seemed nerved with springs Of steel
so lightly trod the pavement. The
heavens seemed broader and bluer
and the stars seemed brighter. My
soul was thrilled with a new sensa
tion, but so elevating, expanding
blessed. felt as if growing in stat
ure, the lungs catching and filling
eagerly of the crisp, wintry air
What a narrow, worthless sluggard
A wealth of blessed enjoyment every
where within reach, and not know
In seeking the good of others, l had
blessed my own soul thousand fold
And such was the faint foretaste ot
heaven.
They are my brothers," l ex
claimed as l walked rapidly down
the street, "and Jesus of Nazareth, the
Redeemer of ALL" The stars sang
together, and | thought of the joy il
heaven when one brighter than all
kindled with the glad tidingS of peace
on earth and good will to man, when
the Son of God lay sleeping in the
manger. Yes, Carrie Demming, Goo
willing, you shall have Christina;
present.
Down on the river bridge, was 6
saloon known as "The Pit" Is was
a popular place of resort with the
"upper ten" tiplers; spacious and
richly garnished temple of Death, ant
many went in thereat. | paused be
fore the windows richly colored will
chastened crimson light, for I was
sure of finding Demming within. He
was there for at the moment, several
voices shouted his name, and called
for speech, and then they formally
organized, and passed resolution
refusing to receive Phil back into tht
world until the church returned hin
as good as it found him. The reso
luton was carried amid the stamping
of feet, yells, and the clink Of glasses
What a scene as [ entered!
score of people were there, all o
prominent character and position il
society, fully one half the number, th,
leading young men of the place. Herr
was "secret society"-one of thous
ands Whose associations and infu
ence made the soul sick.
All was hushed as | entered. ant
Phil, who had first seen me, as quick
ly slipped out of a side door. Afte
a few moments, | left the abashet
jewellers, and elsewhere sought Dem
ming.