The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-11-17

which time he had been left to steer
bis own bark, aud to select his own
chart.
True to the lofticr instincts Of his
nature he bad selected the path IF honor
aod moral duty, feeling assured that
II he sought first the kingdom Of God
and His righteousness, all other thin ss
would be given unto him. He WAS a
social man--pre-emiuently so-and d
more genial companion never blessed
The social circle; but he did not pros.
titutc the higher nature to the allure.
ments of the les i've board nor did he
allow himself TO be deceived by the
false glitter Of the bacchanalian tinscl.
lie lived truo TO the pledge which he
had taken 10 his early manhood--thc
pledge OF total abstinence from intoxi-
eating liquors-sod the longer he lived
the more reason had be to bless God
for the choice he had made.
AT the age Of thirty he wcs elected
to Congress from the Berkshire dis.
trict, and in that capacity he was re-
tanned during six successive terms,
declining further service IN that di-
rection upon being nominated to the
Office Of Governor. At the age Of forty
seven he was elected Governor Of Mas.
sachuset,s, 10 which Office he was un-
uualiy reelected from 1913 to 1851.
1t WAS a cold. blesk day in March,
Governor Briggs had just descended
from his room 10 the State House, and
was leaning against the railing which
guards the statute of Washington, 10
conversation with a friend when q page
approached and handed him note.
lie broke the seal aud read. IL was
from the Mayor Of the city, informing
him that a man had been picked up in
gutter during tho night by tho watch,
aud was now pronounced to be dying
Of delcrium remeus. He says"
wrote the Mayor, "lhat he knew you
once-tbat you were his friend and
schoolma,e. lie will not give his
name. If you would like to sec him,
come soon.'
The Governor hastened down to the
City Building, aud with DR.. Smith,
the city physician, he went down into
the police station where the poor mau
lay.
Alas! he would never have recog-
nized in that wasted, shattered wreck
OF humanity the friend Of his youth ;
but so il was. Oh what u sad, sad
sight
"luas he any consciousness left p
asked the Governor.
"He has had one or two lucid spells,
but the delerium has about speut Itself.
lie can rave no more
Al this moment the sufferer started
and opened his eyes.dark, cavernous
eyes, bleared aud ghasily, but with II
CLEAN OF intelligence 10 their suuken
pepths
"Who spoke - he demanded in a
hollow, whispered tone.
"Malcom, it was |. ron't you know
me p
The poor man struggled to raise
himself Lnd the attendants helped him;
and when he nab been lf,ed to a sit
ting posture, with pillows at his back,
he loukod up.
81 know the voice. he said.
"And don't you Anow the face p
Look at me, Molcom.'
A little time, and something like q
smile broke over tho wan AMI hugsard
tnce
George is it you?"
"Yot, Malcom. am your old school
fellow. You surely remember mo
now2"
Malcolm Carling grasped the haud Of
his friend aud gazed up into his face,
AnolheL faint smile crept in upon his
SCARED and tortured features, but it
quickly faded away aud something
like pearl glisteued upon the droopiug
Iashes.
Malcom, what can do for you p
"Nothing-notbipg. George. AN
past help. chose ny own path and
l have travelled in it-aud here l am
But you-yoa. All !! Why should !
murmur? You chose the better path,
George, and there you are. You Gov
srnOr Of Massachusetts and IL"
The voice chuked, the features were
convulsed a moment so, aud then the
eyes were opeued, the smile fnted
b,icx, aud hc murmured, H. his head
saok, sic transit ytoria n,undi -
He had reached the eud Of the
weary way, ana another victim lay
wrecked upon the terrible rect which
u pernicious appetite has reared amid
the waters OF he.