Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1868-01-10
An Affecting Temperance speech.

An huVtth6 AVmPefohSC SpCSVHs
"A speech, speech from WILTON cried
the thoughtless fellows.
" He cant make speech on cold water.
defy him." said ore Of their number.
"My friends" began Wilton.
"Hear, hearl he's really in for It now,"
cried young man whose flushed cheeks
gave pitful signs of his devotion to the bot
tie. "Wilton is on his feet"
The comrade they called Wilton was
young man some twenty-three years of age.
Upon bis face within bis eyes, settled melan-
choly rested his manners were as grave as
those of an old man. He was often called
"Wilton the Steady" on account of bis quiet
adherence to principle.
The head partner Of the firm in whose
employ Wilton was, gave great party once
a year, and 1t was to this gathering Wilton
had been pursuaded TO come.
In vain his companions tempted him with
the wine that flowed freely. The "frm'
considered themselves good Christians, as,
indeed, 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
out fixed principles, they committed a gross
and almost fatal error. Looking about him,
Wilton saw already many faces flushed al
most to inebriation, many eyes that spite Of
their flash and sparkle, moved with difficult
ty, and that dire unsteadiness
MY friends" be said, and then paused,
as If TO give greater emphasis to what might
follow, am going to make confession"
Some of the company smiled at this, but
by far the greater number were awed ut the
sad yet earnest tones OF his vo ice.
"Five years ago had brother, bright,
beautiful lad, in whom the hopes of large
family circle centered. He was called ge-
MUS, and he was one. Sensitive, gentle
hearted and generous to fault, he also gave
promise of an extraordinary vigor of mind.
One night several in the village where was
born resolved to have frolic. The party
was to he secret one, and we were each 10
carry from our homes, If we could, provis-
ions and wine. 1t came off with success
There was good cheer, there were bright and
flowing liquors-we were all young and
buoyant. My brother had never tasted
wine. Whether II was q disinclination
caused by natural dislike, or whether 1t was
in intuition that led him TO avoid it tas danger.
Gus to him, | do not know. | only know -
and the recollection at this moment is burning
| in my brain-that we all thought that If we
could get Herbert drunk 1t would be fine
fun. Fiends could not have set themselves
more ingeniously at work to compass thi.
object than we did. ] will not excuse my.
self, nor in aught palate my conduct.
knew he had manuscript poem at home,
that had been pronounced remarkable by
competent critics; knew he could impro
wise almost without mental effort, and ex
pected under the stimulus Of the firery ser
pent-whose sting dread more than
dread death--his brain would be qu ickened
and we should be charmed, perhaps amazed
at the exhibitions of his rare gift.
."At last we prevailed, but instead O
quickening, the wine stupiiied his faculties
A few glasses reduced him to u state of utte
inebriety.
''The party broke mp. We were all will
with drink and excitement--he alone wa
immovable and quite insensible. There wa
no arousing him from the state of DEATH
sleep into which he had fallen. dared nc
take him home shst night, fearing our froli
might be found out in consequence of tn
trouble we should have in getting him t
his room. So We left him there, lying q
comfortably as we could place him-bi
handsome face flushed and almost purple
bis active brain, for once, completely stupi
fed.
an the morning I was awakened by th
sound Of sobs. A white, scared face stoo
over me trembling, weak voice cried out
"Oh, Philip, your poor brother"
81 sprung from my bed. My friends,
T knew the truth soon enough. Herbert ha
recovered consciousness in the night
sufficient TO mislead him. lie had ialel
from the window, height OF twenty fee,
He was still living. In vain my prayer
and tears and anguish" His voice faltered
"Young men, he is living yet--but an in
durable idiot. Now, will you ask me {
take the accursed stuff? Yes, the curse Q
the living God rests upon 1t. 1t has bur
dened my life--it has ruined as noble in
tellect as was ever ready to do battle wit
the faults and folies of the world. Do yol
still jeer and laugh, because will not b
jovial2 tell you ifit was living thin
| would strangle IL; and there is moth in
upon earth hate with such deadly ha
tred." tr
There was a deep silence. Not one In al
the company seemed inclined 10 drink agaiI
/,