Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-06-12
An Effective Speech.

tiIt tlOughIiN0'
lie can't mako a speech on cold water, ]
defy him. said one Of their number.
MY friends, began Wilton.
Hear hcor he's really in for it now
pitrul signs of his devotion to the bottle
Wilton is on his feet
The comradc they called Wilton was q
young man twenty three years of age Up,
on his face, within his eyes, settled mclan
choly rested. His manners were as grave
as those Of an old man. lie was often call.
cd Wilton the steady on account Of lis
quiet adherence to principle.
The head Partner in the firm in whose
employ Wilton was gave II great party once
Il year. and it was to this gathering Wilton
had been persuaded to como.
In vain his companion tempted him with
the wine that flowed freely. The firm con-
sidcrcl themselves good Christians, as, in.
deed, did the world generally. They gave
largely to charities and to their church,
where their seats were seldom empty. They
did great deal Of good with their money ;
yet in placing this fiery temptation before
young men, some Of whom were as yet with
ont lixel principles, they committed agross
and almost fatal error. Looking about him
Wilton saw already many flushed, almost to
incbration; many eyes that spite Of their
fash and sparkle, moved with difficulty, and
that dire unstcadincss that marks the incip-
lent stage of drunkenness.
Ny friends, lie said, and then paused rs
if to give greater emphasis to what might
follow. am going to make confession.
Some Of the company smiled at this, but
sad, yet earnest tone, Of his voice.
Five years ago had brother, bright,
beautiful lad, in whom the hopes Of large
family centerod. lie was called genius,
and he was one. Sensitive, hearted,
anl generous to fault he also gave prom
is, Of cAt aordinaiy vigor Of mind. One
nj lht several Of the boys were l was born
re Owed to have a folic. The party was to
be secret one, and we were each to carry
from our home, il we could provisions and
wine. 1t came OF with success. There
was good cheer, there were bright and
flowing liquors; We were all young and buoy
ant. My brother had never tasted wine.-
Whether it was dsincimation caused by
natural dislike, or whether his institutions
led him to avoid it as dangerous to him, |
10 not know. | only know-and the recol-
lection is at tbs moment burning in my
hsaia-tl.at We AL AL ttroruft that il VIC could
get him drunk, il would be fine fun. Fiends
could not have set themselves more ingen-
ious Y at work TO compass the object that
we did. was foremost in the attempt. ]
will not excise myself. nor in aught palliatc
my conduct. ] knew he lad Il manuscript
poem, that had been pronounced remarka-
be by competent critics; knew he could
improyise almost without mental effort and
expected that, under the sti.nulu, Of fiery
scrpent- whose sting | dread more than ]
dread death--his brain would be quichened
and We should be charmed, perhaps anaz-
cd, Mt the exhibition of his rare gifts.
~ last we prevailed, but instead Of
quichening, the wine Stupeiicl lis icaultics.
A few glasses reduced him to 4 state Of utter
inchriely.
'ihc party broke up. We were all wild
with drunk and excitement he alone was
immovable and quite insensible. There
was no rousing him from the state Of deathly
sleep into which he had illlen I dared
not take him home that night, fearing that
our iroiic might be found out tinconsequcncc
Of the trouble VIC should have in getting
him to his room. So we left him there ly-
ing as comfortable as VIC could place him
his handsome face flushed and almost pur-
pie, his active brain, for once, completely
stupefel.
In the morning, | was awakened by the
sounds Of sohs. A white, sacred face stood
over me; trembling weak voice cried out,
~, Phillip your poor brother!
L sprang from my bed. My friends, !
knew the truth soon enough. Herbert had
recovered consciousness in the night sul,i-
cient to mislcaa him. lie had fallen from
the window, Il height of twenty feet. lie
Was still living. In vain my prayers and
tears, and anguish, his voice fal;ered.
Young men, he is living yet, but an in.
surablc IDIOT Now, will you ask me to take
the accursed stuff? Yes, the curse of the
living God rests upon it. 1t has burdcned
my life--it has ruined as noble an intellect
as ever was ready to do battle with the faults
and follies of the world. DO you still icer
aRA laugh, because l will not be jovial? I
tell you, if it was living thing l would
strangle it-and there is nothing upon earth
l hate with such deadly hatred
There was q deep silence. Not one in all
the company seemed inclined to drink again.
- Uatchnaa and Rtaccior.
IsS" George Francis Train says our
modern marriage service should read thus;
Clergyman Will you take this brown stone,
this carriage and span, these diamonds, for
thy welded husband? Yes. VIII you
take unpaid miincr's bill, this high water