North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-30

DANIEL Akin had become O confrmt
drunkard. So fully had he come und,
the dominion of his appetite, that he ".
perfectly miserable when he could not oh
tain the means Of gratifying his thirs
He had neglected his family till his wife
father had taken her and the children I
the paternal roof. He had spent all hi
substance in drink, and was kept from tn
poorhouse only by performing menial Sc,
vices for his food, and by the kindness q
Thomas Edgerton, member of the soci
ETY. of Friends, who had known him fror
his youth, and who had strong hop
that, in the course of time he would Sc
his folly, and turn again into the righ
path.
The leading publican of the place hac
let him have drinks so long as his none,
lasted, but would trust him no longer
He was lounging about the store, on
bright, moonlight evening, pleading Will
the publican to trust him for a drink-hi,
reply was: "Nct one drop more, Dan
iel!"
lie remained while longer, and ther
left. As the cool air of the evening tel
upon him, he all at once gave utterance t.
his feelings in the following strain: "No
drop more, Daniel Am l drunk, o,
am | sober? l am sober. 'Nota dror
more, Daniel Did Hoskins think dror
would hurt me? No, but my money was
gone. He has got all-got everything
had even the bible my mother gave me
He has got the boots which my wife, with
her own earnings, bought for Jennie
Not drop more, Daniel Daniel, wha,
say you to that? l say so, too. once
had good clothes, but now I have nothing
but rags. Not a drop more, Daniel till
till have clothes again as good as when
Mary and l we're married. once
had good watch, but that too is gone
Not drop more, Daniel till l have an
other as good as the one l pawned to Hos.
kins for drink. have seen the day when
l had 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. 1 once had cows
which furnished my family with butter
and cheese, but Hoskins has got them.
Not drop more, Daniel till those COWS,
or Others as good, are mine again. once
had this wallet full of bills; but now not
a cent haye got. Not a drop more,
Daniel till this wallet is we'll filled
again."
BY this time he had reached the place
where he formerly resided, and leaning up
against the fence, he mused long time in
silence. He viewed the desolate place by
the hghtof the moon, and his eyes rang
ed over the house and farm once his own.
He then said to himself: 'Once owned
this house and farm. Here my father and
mother died. l was the pride of their
hearts; but have brought down their
gray hairs with sorrow to the grave |!
Here began my married lile; and all
that heart could wish was mine. lIere
Mary and l 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 the bed
And then how she begged of me never to
strike her mother again. And oh, my
wife, how shamefully l abused her! 1t
was not you Daniel who did it. No, it
was Hoskin's accursed rum? No wonder
you were taken from me by those who
loved you, and who 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
possession. and the wife and children who
are living, are in yonder rooms and we
are happy family once more. Not a
drop more, Daniel Help me, my God,
till all these things are accomplished /!
thank you, Hoskins, for those words.
shall not forget them"
He had become so much occupied with
his thoughts, and spoke 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 Quaker
before mentioned. He stopped his horse,
and heard distinctly the language Daniel
used. As he closed his soliloquy he turn>
ed and saw Thomas Edgerton, who said !:
Daniel, does thee mean to keep thy
vow?"
eyes, friend Edgerton, do."
"Thee has promised great many times
thee'd drink no more. What makes thee
think thee will keep thy VOW this time p
81 know, friend Edgerton, l have often
vowed l would drink no more; but now
feel different from what l have felt be-
fore; ]; my heart is almost broken, and l
feel my weakness; and l believe God will
help me this time"
''God grant that it may be so, Daniel,
get in and take seat. Thee must be
hungry; go home with me-
On the way the Quaker drew out of him
all that has been written, and he advised
him to 90 to California. He told him to
60 to New York, and work his way around
the Cape. He decided to do so. The