South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1870-07-29
Up from the Dust.
a Temperance Story.
PART T..

The speaker, middlo-aged man of re-
spectacle appearance, rudely shook young
man who had fallen from bench at u
MON square, and who lay prone upon the
dusty pathway.
'Why-what's the matter? What do
you shake me for?' stammered the Young
man, as he staggered to his feet and look.
ed wildly around.
you would shake yourself and feel wide
awake in a moment if you had seen who
passed here minute ago, and heard the
remark which heard. Do you know that
Miss Lille Rutger saw you there in your
drunken slumber that, passing here Just
now, with Frank Bennett in her company,
you were pointed out to her eyes p
90, Heaven! have | come to this =
Have | lost all position in her eyes? /
may as well blow my brains out now
groaned the young man.
mo, sir; you have no brains to spare
tina. way. You had better make up your
mind to forever quit the cause of degrade.
ton
but you say, sir, that Frank Bennett
was with her, and that he pointed me out
in this disgraceful situation p
yes, ! said So
'Why, sir, it was he who this very morn.
ing, before | had breakfasted, induced me
to drink. He is ever tempting me to break
resolutions to be temperate, which form
only to break. He not only got me to
drink fully dozen times during the ear
ly part of the day, but made an appoint
ment to meet me here in this very part at
eleven. | came to meet him, fell asleep,
and you know the rest
well, it was undoubtedly plan of his
to ruin you in the estimation of one of the
purest, loveliest, and most estimable young
ladies in this great city,
yes, | sec through it all. I will be ev-
en- with him yet. | will punish him fear
fully
4 would, James Potter, I would, if |
were you And now you permit me, as
true friend, to show you how to do it?
yes. VIII you be my second if l call
him OUT?
d will be your second if you accept my
plan
'Of course I'll 60 that III be guided
by you entirely
Then pledge me your sacred honor on
this spot where size saw your degradation,
never again to touch wine or any alcoholic
drink
q do so promise and vow, even by her
sPotless name and my own hopes Of future
salvation
Allow me also to night to present your
name as candidate for admission to the
division Of Sons Of Temperance to which
| belong
why should I DO that, when have al.
ready promised not to drink 2
Chat You may have fraternal sympathies
to strengthen you in your good resolutions
That one social, happy night each week,
spent with pure men anl women working
III the holy cause Of Temperance, will make
you so love that work that you will never
depart from it,
'Ihcn propose nc, and | will Join
Perhaps you did not know that Lille
Ringer Is Good Tcm2lar, belonging to
Unity Lodge "
is she May 1 not become a Good
TcmpIar, n!soY
Yes. shall be too happy to propose
you there, too
How shall I thank You? How reward
you Tor your goodness, Mr.. Tremper Z?
'by keeping your promise and never get,
ing down in tho dust again Rcgcncrat.
ci into yourself once more, erect in your
natural manhood, you will win respect
from those who, mourning over your fall,
had begun 70 dcspise you. You will be
able TO command good position 10 bust.
ness and society,"
Heaven being my helper, will Try
sand thc young man
Then you will have punished your enc
my, Frank Bennett, in the most efficient
way. lie evidently has hoped 10 build up
bis fortunes on your ruin. Rising from
Che dust hc has drawn upon YOU you viii
.e2vc bin overwhelmed in his failure TO
ruin you
You arc right Mr. Trempor sec
% a.' aud from my heart / thank you
From tlis hour my course is taken, Shall
Doe upward and onward
The good temperance man and Christian
shook hands with James Potter, and they
parted.
a couple of hours aficrward, refreshed
with bath, clcan.y dressed, The young
man presented himself before the praprie-
tor oi q Wholesale store in Chambers street
from which ho bad been dismissed f5r biz
neglect Of business and general habits OF
dissipation.
q come, sir, to ask you once moro TO en-.
pioy me, be said, firmly, but modcshy.
james, we're it not for your drinking
habits l would. When You are yourself
you are 40 excellent salesman, aud really
need you. But dare not trust you
MIR. Pembroke, I have taken tho total
abstinence pledge, aud my name has gone
ln TO become a member % both tho Sons of
Temperance and good rcmphr4'