Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-05-22
The Strangers Story.

our not punch. LII was IN the latter
part of November. The sleety wind
and rain held their orgies, and we,
Jack Stanton, Will Hooker and myself
were quietly discussing the important
topics of the day, and now and then
trying the merits of our toddy.
Will Hooker was just beginning to
relate one of the interesting stories
of his adventures, when light tap on
the bar room door interrupted him.
He arose and opened the door. A
man entered, with the rain dripping
from MS garments, ana inquired il n0
could get lodging for the night. Mine
host of the inn, came forward and re-
lieyed the man of his wet coat, and
then for the first time | took iull
survey of him.
He was apparently about fifty years
of age, rather too tall for the medium
height, hazel eyes, and feminine cast
of features. His dark hair, with here
and there a silver thread of gray,
curled beautifully around his high
forehead. | shall never forget the ex-
preston of mingled pain and shame
that crossed his face as those clear
eyes were bent for the first time upon
our circle. We were about drinking
toast given by Jack Stanton, when
he gazed upon US. In spite of my
strong nerves my hand trembled and
refused to bring the glass to my mouth
and | thought detected a smile on
his countenance as my two friends
drank their wine while mine remained
untouched.
"Hal ha p exclaimed Will Hooker.
$50 you are trying to play possum on
US, eh? But You can't come that on
US, it done we'll enough when we were
at college, but times have changed
since then, and we are at liberty to go
out on spree when We please, with
out disturbing the professor and be-
ing severely reprimanded before the
whole school.
"Excuse me" | replied, a intend
to bear my share of the ills and cares
of life, and especially my share of the
wine. But when you hear my excuse
you will acknowledge that was half
right. | also intended to ask you to
| desiss for few moments, but seeing
the wine was too near that organ
which is destructive to that last named
article, [ concluded to let you go this
time, and when you intended TO drink
'Logic, by .jingor exclaimed Jack
Stanton. "But to my shame must
confess it beats all my powers Of com
prehension to ascertain your mean
ing"
"Well simply this" l replied; you
see there is a stranger III the room
and | think it proper 10 ask him tc
share our wine with US"
But | should think it more proper
Iifneither ofyou would taste your wine
again this evening" came in silvery
tones from the stranger.
My blood boiled in indignation, anc
| was about to make an angry reply
when | remembered he was an appar
ant stranger to me, and as it w0ulC
not correspond to my sentiments ut
tered but a few moments ago ! turneC
it off by merely asking
why are you so prejudiced againa
wine drinkers.
ITO reply to your question, ne re
piled, Il should have to 90 back TO th'
time when | was young man hk'
Yourself. But after / have refreshed
? the inner man, if it will not De too te
dious for you to listen will try TO e1
plain to you why | am preju tice(
against wine drinkers"
At this moment the landlord opened
the dining room door and announced
: supper. The door that separated th
dining room from the kitchen bein!
open, the savory odor Of meat AM
other niceties came rushing into N.
olfactory nerves reminding me of
slumbering appetite. proposed tina
we should adjourn to the dining room
and partake Of the good things tha
Master Holly had prepared for us
after which we would return and lis
ten to the strangers story.
After refreshing ourselves we re
turned to the bar room, and drew ou
chairs nearer the huge fire place Wher
the long, forked flames were merrill,
enveloping the hickory logs. AS ga2
r ed on the flames | thought [ saw tn
: imps of satan holding their mldnlgh
orgies over their wine. | shudderet
in spite of myself as | thought of tn
thousands of human beings Wild.
2 plunging headlong into the dark gul
. of intoxication. My reverie was brob
5 en- by the silvery voice of the strange
0 cxclaiming =
= "Well, gentlemen, II you are VII
: ing to give me your attention for
few moments, | will try to give an az
count of my doings since | was
young boy. To give you clear III
! derstanding | must refer to the tim
> when was sixteen years OF age
Yes, just thirty years ago | first learI
ed to drink from the cup OF sin. NJ
# father was a wealthy merchant 0
o NJ, an inland town III the ota'
!. of New Jersey. Ny school days wer
spent in mischief and playing truant
"When was sixteen my father col
= cludcd to take me to the countln
|, room. | remember the morning
= well as if it were but yesterday, ,Whe
E my father called me up to the des
ond addressed me In the fOllOwln