The Van Buren press., 1870-08-16
MISCELLANY.
Up From the Dust.
A Temperance story-By Ned Buntline

"Get up and shake the dust from you
get up James Potter! Are you not
ashamed to be here ~
The speaker, a middle.aged man of re-
spectacle appearance, rudely shook a
young man who had fallen from bench
at Union square, and who lay prone on
the dusty path way.
Wh-what's the matter? What do
you shake me for P stammercd the young
man, as he staggered to his feet and
looked wildly around.
You would shake yourself and feel
wide awake in moment if you had seen
who had passed here minute ago, and
heard the remark which | heard Do
you know that Miss Lille Rutger saw
you there in your drunken slumber p
that, passing here just now, with Frank
Bennett in her company, you were point
ed out to her eyes9'
"Oh, Heaven have ] come to this ?
Have lost all position in her eyes? l
may as well blow my brains out now,"
groaned the young man.
"No, sir, you have no brains to spare
that way. You had better make up your
mind to forever quit the cause of degra-
dation."
but you say, sir, that Frank Bennett
was with her, and that he pointed me out
in this disgraceful situation p
eyes, said so"
"Why, sir, it was he who this very
morning, before l had breakiasted, in
duced me to drink He is ever tempting
me to break resolutions to be temperate,
which l form only to break. He not
only got me to drink fully dozen times
during the early part of the day, but
made an appointment to meet me here in
this park at eleven. l came to meet him,
fell asleep, and you know the rest"
"Well, it was undoubtedly q plan Of
his to ruin you in the estimation of one
Of the purest, lovlest, and most estima-
bic young ladies, in this great city"
"Yes, see through it all / will be
even with him yet. | will punish him
fearfully."
81 would, James Potter, l would, if
were yon! And now you permit me, as
true friend, to show you how to do it ?"
eyes. Will you be my second if l
call him out p
81 will be your second if you accept
my plan"
"Of course I'll do that. III be guided
by you entirely"
"Then pledge me your sacred honor
on this spot where she saw your degrade
ton, never again to touch wine or any
alcoholic drink"
II do so promise and vow, even by
her spotlcss name and my own hopes Of
future salvation ~
ALLOW me also, tonight to present
your name as q candidate for admission
to the Sons Of Temperance to which 1
belong"
"Why should | do that when | have
already promised not to drink ?"
"That you may have fraternal sympa.
thies to strengthen you in your good
resolutions. That one social, happy
night, each week, spent with pure men
and women working in the holy cause of
Temperance, will make you so love that
work that you will never depart from il"
"Then propose me, and / will join"
perhaps you did not know that Lii
lie Rutger is Good Templar. belong.
ing to Unity Lodge" ?"
as shel May ] not become a Good
Templar, also ?"
eyes. l shall be but too happy to
propose you there, too
allow shall l thank you? How re-
ward you for your goodness, Mr.. Trcm.
peri"
"By keeping your promise and never
getting down in the dust again. Regene-
rate into yourself once more, erect in
your natural manhood, you will win re
spect from those who mourning over
your fall, had begun to dcspisc YOU
You will be able to command a good
position in business and society"
Heaven being my helper, will try,
said the young man."
"Thcn you will punish your enemy,
Frank Bennett, in the most efficient way.
He evidently has hoped to build up his
fortunes on your ruin Rising from the
dust he has drawn upon you, you will
leave him overwhelmed in his failure to
ruin you"
"You are right, Mr.. Tremper see
it all, and from my heart thank you.
From this hour my course is taken, shall
be inward"