Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-18

have done. Wine and beer were COM
mon beverage at their table. The poor
boy had his taste vitiated at the beginning
and now appetite is his master. l pity
them all, but most the unhappy young
man who is lost to society, and lost to
HIMSELF
A long silence followed. and when the
conversation was renewed, it touched
another theme. AS they sat talking, the
door was pushed quietly open, and Mrs.
Lowry looked in. Her face wore troubled
expression.
II would like to see you moment, . she
said to her husband. Ts
Mr.. Lowry went out, and the friend
heard for some moments the low murmnr
OF voices near the library door. Then Mr..
Lowry came back, a marked change in his
face, and said, in a repressed voice: ..Ex-
cuse me for little while,n and left hur-
riedly. Nearly half an hour elapsed be-
fore his return. He did not explain the
cause of his long absence. There was
about him forced cheerfulness of man.
ner that did not hide from his friend g keen
observation the trouble and disquietude
that lay beneath.
At tea-time the boy was absent
Where is John ?" asked an elder sister
with concern in her voice and eyes.
Il don't know" was the mothers reply,
and the friend saw quick glance Of in
telligence, full of sad meaning, pass be-
tween her and her husband
John did not make his appearance at the
eight O'Clock breakfast next morning, q
fact on which no remarks were made
Mr.. Lowry tried to talk cheerfully with
his friend, but it was mere effort--there
was no heart in his voice.
What was below all this Let us see.
| Immediately after dinner, on the preyi-
Gus day, John slipped off quietly, and
went to fashionable drinking-saloon near
by. to get the glass of wine no longer
served AZ his fathers table. Already had
the fatal appetite become so strong that
his feeble power of resistance was not
equal to self-denial. He was boy, grap-
ping an enemy that manhood. with rea-
son matured, and responsibilities seen and
felt, is often alas too irresolute to over
come. Poor boy! The father who loved
most tenderly-who had his welfare most
At heart--had led him into the way OF
temptation. but could not lead him out.
During the half hour that Mr.. Lowry
was absent from his friend, he had been
in search of his boy ; for he knew for what
reason he had gone off after dinner. But,
he could not find him. John on getting
his wine, left the saloon, but did not re-
turn home. A few minutes after he had
gone away, Mr.. Lowry entered, and not
seeing his son, went out to visit other
drinking places in his neighborhood. Alas.
how many there were! Two or three in
every block, with doors opening on ways
that ledso destruction. But he failed in
the search of his boy, and returned, with
the heart-ache, to his friend.
John did not get home until late that
night. When his mother, who had been
anxiously waiting for him, met him on
the stairs, he was so overcome with drink
that she had to support him to his room!
No wonder that he came down late on the
next morning.
! What was to be done? How .anxiously
was this question pondered by Mr.. Lowry!
How. many plans and expedients were
discussed in the silence of his own
thoughts
Better bring back the wine, and let
him have it at home, than run the risks that
attend his seeking it abroad said Mr..
Lowry to his wife. Neither were clear as
to this being the best course; but in their
doubt and anxiety they gave the expert
ment a trial. So the wine came back to
the table, and John had his glass or two as
before. Mr. Lowry slipped his rare old
sherry again, but its fine flavor was gone.
Instead of pleasure, the sight and taste
gave him pain. But the glass or two at
dinner-time failed to satisfy the increasing
strength of Johns appetite--nay only add
ed to its craving desire-and the hotel-bar
and drinking-saloon were visited as often
as before. A few weeks satisfied MIR.
Lowry that wine on the dinner-table was
a hurt and not help to his poor, infatuat-
ed boy, and then it was banished forever.
Ali too late At eighteen the unhappy
father took his son to an inebriate asylum,
and kept him there for year. At the end
Of this period he was brought home, cured,
it seemed. of the fell disease that threat
ened his ruin. A new order of life, both
physical and moral, seemed established
Joy, mingled with fear, pervaded the hearts
of parents, sisters, and friends.
John went into his fathers store, and set
himself earnestly to work. At the asylum
he had seen, heard, and learned more
about the effect of intoxicants on the hu-
man system than he had known before,
and now clearly comprehended, not only
the ruin he had escaped, but the dangers
that beset his way.
''Oh if had not formed this cursed ap-
petite !! he SAID often TO himself, In sorrow
and fear. If my lips in childhood had
only been kept free from winer'
Months went by, and the new life flowed
on smoothly and safely. John grew more
interested in business, and showed both in
telligence and capacity.
MY heart gets lighter every day. said
Mr.. Lowry, one morning, to his wife.
The peril is over with John. trust
have never known a young man take SO
keenly to business; and in this there Is
safety"
Mrs. Lowry sighed family. There was
on her heart, the perpetual burden of fear.
She could not shake it off.
A servant handed in cards for wedding
reception. The bride-to-be was cousin
in fashionable society. The reception was
to be in week
Mr.. Lowry and his family were there
father, mother, brother and sisters. After
the guests were presented to the bride,
they passed in groups to the supper-room.
l u -cr r.. M. re srf