Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-02-29
The Old Mans Story.

shall never forget the commence.
ment of the temperance reformation. ]
was a child at the time, some ten years
of age. Our home had every comfort,
and my kind parents idolized me, their
only child. Wine was often on the
table, and both my father and my moth.
er gave it to me in the bottom of their
morning glass.
One Sunday at church startling an,
nouncement was made to our people. ]
knew nothing of its purport, but there
was much whispering by the men. The
pastor said that on the next evening
there would be a meeting, and an ad-
dress upon the evils of intemperance in
the use of all alcoholic liquors. He ex-
pressed himself ignorant of the meeting,
and could not say what course it would
be best to pursue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came up
at our table after the service, and |
questioned my father about it with all
the curious earnestness of child. The
whispers and words which had been
dropped in my hearing, clot led the
whole affair with great mystery to me,
and | was all earnestness to learn the
strange thing. My father merely said
it was scheme to unite the Church
and State
The night came and groups of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and
heard the jest and laugh, and saw the
drunken men come reeling out OF the
bar room.
l urged my father to let me 60 but
he at first refused. Finally, thinking
it would be harmless qualification of
my curiosity, he put on his hat, and we
passed across the green to the church.
[ we'll remember how the people ap-
peared as they came in, seeming to
wonder what kind of an exhibition was
to come off.
In the corner was the tavern keeper,
and around him a number of friends.
For an hour the people of the place con-
tipued to come in till there was fair
housefull. All were curiously watching
the door, and apparently wondering
what would appear next. The parson
stole in and took his seat behind pill
lar in the gallery, as if doubtful of the
propriety of being in the church at all.
Two men finally came in and went
forward to the altar and took their seats.
All eyes were fixed upon them, and a
general Stiffness prevailed throughout
the church.
The men were unlike in appearance,
one being short, thickset in bis build,
and the other tall and we'll formed.
The younger had the manner and dress
of clergyman, full round face, and a
quiet, good-natured look as he leisurely
looked around his audience.
But my childish interest was all in
the old man. His broad, deep chest,
and unusual hight looked giant like, as
he strode up the aisle. His hair was
white, his brow deeply Scared with
burrows, and around his handsome
mouth, were lines of calm and touching
sadness. His eyes were black aud rest
less, and kindled as the tavern keeper
uttered low jest. His lips we're CON-
pressed and crimson flush went and
came over his pale cheek. One arm
was off near the elbow, and there was a
wide scar just above his right eye.
The younger finally arose and stated
the object of the meeting, and asked if
there was clergyman present to say a
prayer. Our pastor kept his seat, and
the speaker himself made a short ad-
dress; at the conclusion calling upon
any one to make remarks. The pastor
arose under the gallery, and attacked
the position of the speaker. using the
arguments 1 often have heard since and
concluded by denouncing those engaged
in the movement as meddlesome fanat-
les, who wished to break the time hon.
ored usages of good society, and injure
the business of respectable men. At
the. conclusion of his remarks the tavern
keeper and his friends got up cheer,
and the current of feeling was evidently
against the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking, the
old man leanei forward and fixed his
dark eyes upon him, as if to catch ev-
cry word.
As the pastor took his seat, the old
man arose, his tall form towering in its
symmetry, and his chest heaving as he
inhaled the breath through his thin d.
lated nostrils. To me at that time,
there was something awe-inspiring in
the appearance of the old man as he
stood, his full, dark eye upon the
audience, his teeth shut hard and a
silence like that of death throughout
the church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern
keeper, and that peculiar eye fingered
and kindled for moment. The scar
grew red upon his forehead, and be-
meath the heavy brows his eyes glittered
and glowed like serpent's. The tavern
keeper quailed before that searching
glance and felt relief when the old
man withdrew his gaze. For moment
more be seemed lost in thought, and
then in low tremulous tone he CON-
meuced. There was depth in that
voice, a thrilling sweetness aud pathos,
which riveted every heart in the church,
before the first period had been round
ed. My fathers attention had become
fixed upon the eye of the speaker with
an interest l bad never before seen him
exhibit. 1 can but briefly remember