Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-03-01
Frozen.

On Thursday morning, the 18th inst,
young man, 20 years of age, by the name
of Robert Grub, laborer on the Massa-
wippi Valley Railway, was found lying be-
side the road west of Massawippi village.
in Hatley, in state of insensibility, and
badly frozen. His boots could not be re-
moved from his feet, except by cutting
them open, and for several hours his life
was despaired of. His hands and feet were
solid as ice to appearance, but the man is
likely to survive with the loss of the fingers
of one hand, at least, and both of his feet
above the toes.
He had been to the tavern late or the
previous evening, in company with two OF
his comrades, where they obtained liquor
and all became intoxicated, two Of them
returning to their boarding place late in
the night, too far gone, from drink, to look
after the unfortunate boy, who is paying
fearful penalty for his debauch.
On several occasions persons have been
rescued from perils by exposure from in
toxication, in this vicinity during the pres
ent, as also during the last winter, and one
man had foot amputated last winter from
the same cause in this township. Accord
ing to his own account of the matter, he
had been Chasing the devip' a portion of
the winters night upon the ice and snow
of Massawippila lake. He had STOUT cane,
and often struck his Satanic Majesty" (who
he said. looked about as large as a two years
old steer,) "but the cane would go right
through him without any effect" That
old man got well, but whether he has had
another encounter with his old comrade of
the lake, deponent saith not.
People may think lightly of such occur
rences on account of their frequency, and
remoteness, but it is next to death to the
poor sufferer, and grievous tax to those
who are charged with the care of them, for
in most cases of this kind the patient is in
penury as in the present it is the case.
1t is to be presumed, until the contrary
is proved, that these people got legally
drunk" The people have, for thirty pie
ces of silver-mOre or less-sold the right
to certain individuals in the country to
manufacture drunkards, and few, if any, of
those favored individuals can be charged
with inattentiOn to that particular calling
and why should they neglect so important
business, one which they have received
from the municipal electors, and for the ex
ercise of which they have paid their hard
earned dollars.
The license system presents to the mind
many marked features, far too many to be
considered in connection with this item of
news, but all will admit that to regulate
the liquor traffic is difficult task Increas-
ing the price of license is but increasing
the motives to sell, and increasingthe adul-
terations with their frightful effects upon
mankind.
The old system of selling "indulgences"
for the benefit of the church was of a SINH
lar type but less injurious in its effects, and
not more criminal in its character.
The people, the mass of them, appear TO
think it fine thing to get some thirty dol
lars for a license to sell liquors, much of
which will bring man to the ground as
quick as any other active poison) and for
every dollar of which they pay. directly or
indirectly, five, if not ten dollars.
No longer ago than yesterday, three men,
laborerS on the Massawippi Valley Rail
way, were committed to goal to take their
trial for an assault and battery of an ag-
grayated nature, and which will cost the
country the price of several tavern licenses.
"WOe unto the world because of often
ces; for offences must come; but woe to
him by whom the offence cometh. - 6r-
resp0Hdence in the .TaaStead Journal