Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-07-22
Temperance.
A Lecture on a Bridge.
BY MRS. C. W. FLANDERS.

~ SeutIcHlaH WHO very recently MADE
pilgrimage to the tomb of Washington
was about crossing the bridge which
spans the Potomac, when he came up
with negro in a wagon, with-whom he
bargained to be taken ever for the sum
of five cents. The negro desired pay
ment in advance. The gentleman, who
had noticed saloon near by, being sus-
picious that the negro was thirsty, asked
him why he desired his money before
! he had earned it.
"Dar's whisky over dar, massa,n an
swered the negro, pointing toward the
| saloon; "and Use gwoin to drop in."
mo you don't, my friend; at least, not
with my money" returned the stranger,
with an emphasis that half took the
negro's breath away.
"But Use very hot, massa," urged the
negro.
Yes, and by and by you will be very
cold. When you are hot, you take whis-
Ky to cool you; and when you are cool,
you take it to warm you. Is it not so?''
Jas SO, zactly, massa. Yah! yahi"
"Now / know all about it my friend.
used to be atippler myself; and it was
only through Gods mercy that / was
not utterly ruined. As it was, it brought
me and my family to poverty and dis
grace. If you will drive on, will give
you ten cents, instead of the five bar
gained for"
After wistful, hesitating look toward
the saloon, the negro concluded to pro-
ceed. He could not always earn ten
cents; but he could almost always get
whisky. So he shouted "Go lang, Nell
lie, and the beast began to move fer
ward.
"My friend" said the stranger, "it is
not at all probable that you and I will
ever meet again in this world; and, as
we part at the end of this bridge, have
duty to perform. 1 wish you to prom
ise me here and now that you will never
take another drop of liquor as long as
you live. Whisky stole my brains and
purse away; and will steal yours as well.
1t left me without friends, or bread, or
self-respect. But look at me now. Pm
not handsome man; but am an hon.
est and true one, with a respectable
family, and home where peace and
plenty abide. Would this Fave been
my condition had continued to drink
liquor? Is it yours?n
NE, massa; Ise poor man, dat's
fact"
"How can you be otherwise than poer
so long as you drink up your half-dimes
before they are earned. Have you a
family?"
'Yes, sah."
'Weli, here are your ten cents, and
can you promise me to by loaf of bread
with it for the little ones?n
"Yes, sir" drawing his sleeves across
his eyes.
"And you will always think of what
have said when you cross this bridge,
and when you are tempted to drink
whisky?n
Eyes, sab. I never saw it dis way
before.r
Goodbye, then, till we meet at the
judgment day."
The men shook hands and parted.
This is how the lecturer was himself
reclaimed.
His wife, most amiable and respect
able woman, was overwhelmed with
sorrow at the course he pursued, and
she was brought ito the verge of the
grave. During her illness, she was
nursed by her mother who was relieved
Saturday night by the husband, who
could sleep upon Sunday.
On one occasion, when he was expect
ed to have the care of his sick wife, he
came home beastly drunk, and stretched
himself upon the floor. to appearances
hhSOhoSAOuS VI aii a1Ou1u AS tue
hour of midnight approached, the in
valid urged her mother to retire and
seek the rest she so much needed.
How can | leave you with such a
brute as that?" asked the mother, point
ing toward the miserable man.
The poor wife raised herself upon her
elbow; and, looking her mother reproaeh-
fully in the face, cried out, in agonizing
tones: "Oh. mother, he is my dear
dear husband; and never let me hear you
speak disrespectfully of him again.
The tender ferbearance of the wife
touched the mans heart. Was it possi-
BILE, he asked himself, that he was un-
worthy TO be trusted with her who con-
fided her life to his keeping? He resolved
that never again should she be taunted
with his being brute; and she never
was.
The next morning he placed his whis-
ky-bottle OF the mantle, where he could
see it morniRg,and night, and disciplined
himself to look the subtle enemy un-
fiinehingly in the face. 1t was a hard
ordeal; but he came out of it unscathed. !
He is now worthy citizen, generous
friend, and a Christian. Surely he
should be regarded as hero, who not
only has conquered King Alcohol but
has conquered himself!