Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-09

/
Henry said his wife, with an earnest
look into his face, will you answer me a
few questions ?-and answer them honest
" and truly without equivocation or eva
sion p
Bless me, how methodically put it,
Cora. But | will answer
Then frst-do you believe you, or
your friends, are in any way benefittedby
the drinking of intoxicating beverages at
your board? That is-do you derive
any real good from it,
No, can't say that we do
DO you think the time has ever been
since we were married. when we actually
needed wine in the house, either for our
health or comfort?
Why. think it has added TO our com
fort, Cora
How?
oh in many ways
Name one of them
Why, in the enjoyment of our guests.
'Ah! but am speaking of ourselves,
Henry-ofyou. and me, and of our own
little family. Has it ever ministered to
our comfort?'
No, cannot say that il has
And if it was banished from our house
to-day, and forever, as beverage, should
we suffer in consequence"
Certainly. What would your friends
All. but stop am only speaking OF
our own affairs. shut out from the world,
byour own fire-sde want all extraneous
considerations left out Of the question,
Sohuld we rs a family. suffer in our NOR.
al, physical. social. or domestic affairs, in
the total abstinence from this beverage.
No. | don't know that we should
Then to you, rs = husband. and n
father and rs man, it is Of no earthly
use p
No
And it would cost you no effort, so far
as you alone are concerned, to break clear
from it?'
Not particle.
And now, Henry. pursued the wife,
with increasing earnestncss, Il have afew
more questions TO ask: Do you believe
that the drinking Of intoxicating bevera-
geS is an evil in this country?
Why rs it is now going on, | certainly
! do
And isn't it an evil in society +"
Yes
Look over this city, and tell me if it is
not terrible eviln
And will you tell me what good grow:
out of the use of t?'
Really, love, when you come down tc
this abstract point, you have the held
But people should govern their appetites
All things may be abused.
Yes. But will you tell me the use
the real good-to be derived from drink
ing wine and brandy?'
AS said before, it is social custom
and has its charms.
.Ah there you have it Henry. 1t does
have its charms, as the deadly snake L
said to have, and as other voices have
But see you are in hurry
1t is time was at the store
Il will not detain you but momen
longer, Henry. just answer me few
more questions. Now just call to mino
all the families of your acquain tance
think of all the domestic circles you have
known, from your school-boy days up Il
the present; run your thoughts through
the various homes where you have beer
intimate-do this, and tell me, if in an,
one instance you ever knew single jo.
to be planted by the hearth-stone from
the winecup? Did you ever know on'
item of good to flow from its use?'
No; / cannot say rs | ever did-no
rs you mean
And now answer me again. Think o
| those homes once more, call to memor.
the playmates OF your childhood, think o
the homes they have made, think ofothe
homes, think of the iresides where all yo'
YOU have known dwell-and tell me
you have seen any sorrows flow from tn
winecup? Have you seen any grea
griefs planted by the intoxicating bow
upon the hearthstone.
Henry Seaburn did not answer, TO
there passed before him such grim spec
tres of solrow and grief that he shudder
, ed at the mental vision. He saw tn
youth cut down in the hour Of promise
saw the gray head fall in dishopor; h
saw hearts broken; he saw homes mad
desolate he saw affections wither up an
, die; and saw noble fntellects stricke
down! Good heaven! what sights b
/ saw as he unrolled the canvass OF hi
| memory.
, Henry whispered his wife. moving t
his side, and winding one arm gentl
about his neck, we have two boys. The