The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1869-05-26
SELECTED STORY.
Not a Drop More, Daniel

fectiy miserable Wnen nc couiu NV ootaiiI
the means of gratifying his thirst. lie had
neglected his family till his wife's father
had taken her and the children to the pater-
nal roof He had spent all his substance IN
drink, and was kept from the poorhouse only
by performing mental services for his food,
and by the Kindness of Thomas Edgerton,
member of the Society of Friends, who
had known him from his youth, and who
had a strong hope that, in the course or
time, he would see his folly, and turn again
into the right path.
The leading publican of the place had let
him have drink so long as bis money lasted,
but would trust him no longer. lie was
lounging about the store, one bright moon
light evening, pleading with the publican TO
trust him for drink-his reply was: met
drop more Daniel !'3
He remained awhile longer, and then left.
As the cool air of the evening fell upon INN
he all at once gave utterance to his feelings
in the following strain: Mot drop more,
Daniel Am drunk, or am l sober |
am sober. Not drop more DAME! Did
Hoskins think drop would hurt meg No;
but my money was gone. He has got all
got everything I had, even the Bible my
mother gave mel He has got the boots
which my wife, with her own earnings,
bought for Jennie. Not drop more, Daniel
Daniel, what say you to that? say SO too.
1 once had good clothes, but now | have
nothing but rags Not drop more, Daniel
| till have clothes again as good as when
| Mary and were first married. once had
| a good watch, but that too Is gone tNota
drop more, Daniel till 1 have another as
good as the one 1 pawned to Hoskins for
| drink. 1 have seen the day when had a
good horse and buggy, and could ride into
| town in as good style as any man IN the
place Not drop more, Daniel, till have
another horse and buggy as good as once
had. once had cows that furnished my
family wirh butter and cheese, but Hoskins
| has got them Not drop more, Daniel
till those cows, or Others rs good, are mine
again. once had this wallet iull of bills;
but now not cent have got. Not drop
more, Daniel till this wallet is well filled
again"
By this time he had reached the place
where he formerly resided, and, leaning up
against the fence, he unused long time in
silence He viewed the desolate place by
the light of the moon, and his eyes ranged
over the house and farm. once his own. He
then said to himself: "Once l owned this
house and farm. Here l was born. Here
my father and mother died. l was the
pride of their hearts; but l brought down
their gray hairs with sorrow to the grave!
Here began my married life; and all that
heart could wish was mine. Here Mary and
1 took comfort together, till Hoskins came
and opened his rum shop; and now he calls
it his. In that south room my children
were born, and there my Jennie died. Oh,
how sorrowful she looked when she saw me
take her boots and start for the store to
pawn them for rum, while she lay sick upon
her bed And then how she begged OF me
never to strike her mother again can see
her now her pale face, her wasted form;-
but she cannot come to me again. And
oh, my wife how shamefully / abused
her! 1t was not your Daniel that did
it. No, it was Hoskin's accursed
rum No wonder you were taken from me
by those who loved you, and would not see
you abused. They won't have me in the
house. They won't let me live with you.
Not drop more, Daniel till this house is
mine again. Not drop, more, Daniel
till these broad acres are again in my pos
session, and the wife, and the children that
are living, are in yonder rooms. and we are
happy family once more Not drop
more, Daniel Help me, my God, till all
these things are accomplished thank
you, Hoskins, ior these words l shall not
forget themn
He had become so much occupied with
his thoughts, and had spoken in tone so
loud, that he had not noticed the wagon,
which by this time had reached the road,
in which was seated the kind hearted Qua
'ker before mentioned. He stopped his
horse, and heard distinctly the language
Daniel used As he closed his soliloauy he
turned and saw Thomas Edgerton, who
said:
"Daniel, does thee mean to keep thy
VOW 2"
YES friend Edgerton, lido"
"Thee has promised great many times
tleed drink no more. What makes thee
think thee will keep thy VOW this time 2"
II know, friend Edgerton, have often
vowed would drink no more; but now 1
feel different from what have felt before;
my heart IS almost broken, and feel my
weakness. and believe God will help me
this time"
"God Grant that it may he so Daniel.
get in and take II seat. Thee must be hun
CRY; go home with me-"
On the way the Quaker drew out of him
all that has been written. and he advised
him to 60 to California He told him to 90
New York; and work his way round tile
Cape. He decided to do so. The Quaker
kindly promised to furnish hun with suita-
BILE clothing
"Thce would like to see thy wife and
children before thee gnes ?"
Il should, but they have become so es-
stranged from me, if went, perhaps they
would not belive me- I think it will be
better they should not know where am I
want to surprise them, and hope to do so,
by coming back sober man, and with
money enough 10 make them comfortable.
1 prefer that you and your wife should be
the only persons in tile place who shall
know where / am or what am doing"
Thus, while riding towards the quiet farm
house of the Quaker. the whole thing was
arranged. When they REACHED the farm, the :
horse was put into the barn, and they en-
tered the house. AS they seated themselves
before the fire, the Quaker said to his wife.
Amy, thee can put on another plate,
Daniel will stay with us q few days, and
then he is going to California"
The good Quaker felt confident Daniel
would keep his word this time. At the end
OF few days everything was ia readiness
The old horse was harnessed and, before
daylight Daniel Akin was on his way to the
railway station; he had not sheen in the
village since the night when the words
MOT drop more, Daniel, !" were uttered.
He was missed from his customary haunts;
but it was supposed he had gone on the