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


himself. Time and abstinence have Civ
en- me new strength. am not the weal
boy of two or three years ago.
They passed into the supper-room, wher
the crowd was very great, and John wa
soon separated from his mother Whel
next she saw him glass of wine was a
his lips.
What followed need hardly be told. A
single draught set his blood on fire Ht
had no control over the newly awakened
thirst, and filled and emptied three or foul
glasses of wine before his father ano
mother could, without attracting too much
observation. get him away from the room
and back to their home.
The next morning found him SO changed
that it seemed as If some witch 5 spell was
on him., He was moody and silent at the
Observation-Disclosures shame-faced or pen
itent. He did not leave the house with his
father, as usual, but waited until he was
gone. and then went out alone.
''Where is John Pr asked Mrs. Lowry,
with anxiety in tone and voice when her
husband came in at dinner time.
Il don't know. He hasn't been at the
store"
Mrs. Lowry staggered at the words,
grew very pale, and sank into chair
Not at the store?" she exclaimed in a
low, distressed voice. ''Oh it is dread
full! My son my son -
Poor mother There was cause for bit
ter anguish. Her son had fallen again, and
fall like this is too often the knell hope.
1t reveals the constant great peril in which
those stand who have once lost self-con-
troll John did not come home until late
that night His condition we will not de-
scribe. A week of inebriation followed,
ending in degree of physical prostration
that Obliged him to keep the house for
many days. Then came repentance, grief,
and shame, succeeded by new resolutions.
The young man went back to business,
humbled and mortified, yet determined to
be more than ever on his guard. His sud-
den fall had revealed to himself the peril
in which he stood. A.tto8 e-s
For over six months John Lowry stood
vigilantly on guard. During that period
he had declined half dozen invitations to
parties and receptions. because he knew
that the highly respectable people who
gave them, would, for the time, make
Neutrality-suspicious. of their houses, and offer
enticements to Young men almost impos-
sible to resist. -Ht
This social self-denial chafed the young
mans spirit, and produced states of bitter
ness yerging, at times, ON desperation.
There was danger for his feet, turn which
way he would-he must be ever on guard
he was in perpetual bondage to fear.
One day, on coming home, his sister
handed him card of invitation to party
sob! at Mrs. Harding's," he said, with
pleased manner. II shall co.
His sister smiled, for she knew that hei
brother was more than pleased with Miss
Fanny Harding, q beautiful and accom-
plished girl, the daughter of the lady who
was to give the party Hi
The young man went on the appointed
evening. F# 4f
"There will be no wine at Mrs Hard
ing's, hope" said Mrs. Lowry to her
husband, after their son and daughter had
gone. She spoke with a concern that she
could not hide.
Mr.. Lowry did not reply. The remark
had awakened his liveliest fears. Mrs
Harding was woman of the world and
not one likely to set herself against this on
any other established custom in "good
society"
There was wine at Mrs. Harding's, and
plenty of it. for old and young. strong and
weak Corks popped, and the wine
maidens, old men and children tipped
glasses and drank to each other.
For the first ten minutes after entering
the supper-room, John Lowry kept hi,
hand away from the tempting glass. Blu
when Miss Harding said-throwing upol
him, as she spoke, one of her bewitchins
glances-
"Won't you join me in glass O
sherry pr ali further power of resistance
was gone. He was fascinated, and woult
have drank with her on the verge of death
All it was nearer that fatal verge thar
he or any one imagined.
"John! !" 1t was the low, warning voice
of his sister, close to his ear.
But he needed it not. He looked into
the maiden's beautiful eyes-bright, yet
tender eyes--that seemed like angels
drank to her, and-was lost!
Mr.. and Mrs. Lowry were sitting alone
at eleven o'clock, when their two daugh-
tiers, who had been with their brother at
the party, came in hastily.
whats the matter Pr cried Mrs. Lowry,
seeing the pain and agitation in their
faces.
John"
"What of John Pr
1t was some time before the weeping
girls could tell the story of shame and
anguish. John had been tempted by Miss
Fanny Harding to take a glass of wine
This had infiamed the old desire, and led
him to drink so freely as to become visi-
bly, intoxicated. II was only through
much persuasion that they could induce
him to take them home but he had left
them at the door, declaring his purpose to
return to Mrs Hardings tr
81 must go for him." said the wretched
father, and went out hurriedly. 1t was
in winter and the night was very cold
''Oh, my son my son p he cried to him
self in bitterness. in regret, and in re-
morse. 1.-THE responsibility OF all this rests
on me!'
But he did not find his son at Mrs Hard
ing's, and went back home with bowed
head and aching heart.
Hour after hour they waited and watch
ed for the absent boy-waited and watch
eu IN vain, even until the dreary breaking
Of day
"hark = cried the mother, starting a,