The Van Buren press., 1871-08-22
MISCELLANY.
Not a Drop More, Daniel. >

Daniel Aiken had become common
drunkard. SO fully had he become un
der the dominion Of his appetite, that he
was perfectly miserable when he could
not obtain the means Of gratifying his
thirst. He had neglected his family till
his wfe's father had taken her and her
children to the parental roof lie had
spent all his substance for drinks, and
was kept from the poor house only by
performing mental services for his food,
aud by the kindness of Thomas Edger
ton, a member of the Society Of Friends,
who had known him from his youth, and
had a strong hope that ia the course Of
time Daniel would see his folly and turn
again in the right path. The leading
merchant Of the place had let him have
drink as long as his money lasted, but
would trust hlm nolongsr. Hc.was loaf
ing about the store one bright moonlight
evening, pleading with the merchant to
trust him Tor a drink. His reply was:
mot drop more, Daniel.
He remained while longer and left
As the cool air Of the evening fell upon
him, he all at once began to give utter
ance to his feelings III the following
strain:
60 Not drop more, Daniel. Am l
drunk or am l sober? am sober. Not
q drop more, Daniel. Did HaskjIs think
a drop mole would hurt me? No! but
my money was gone He has got the
Bible my mother gave me. He mas got
the shoes my wife bought Jeunie, and
paid for with her own earnings. Not a
drop more, Daniel. Daniel what say you
to that say 50 too. l once had good
clothes, and now have nothing but rags.
Not drop more. Daniel, till l have
Others as good as when Mary and | were
married. once had good watch, but
that too is gone. Not drop more, till
| have another as good as the one
pawned to Haskns for drink | have
seen the time when l had good horse
and buggy, and could ride into the vii
lage in as good style as any man in the
place. Not drop more, Daniel, till |
own another horse and buggy as good
as ! once had. ] once had cows which
furnished my family with butter and
cheese, but Haskins has got them. Not
drop mere, Daniel, till those cows, or
Others as good, are mine again. once
had this wallet full Of bills, but now there
is not cent Not drop more Daniel,
till this wallet is we'll filed again
BY this time he had reached the place
where he had formerly resided. and he
stood and leaned against the fence and
mused for time in silence. He viewed
the desolateness Of the scene by the light
Of the moon and his eye ranged over the
house and barn once his own, which had
become out of repair. He then said
"Once owned this house and farm
Hele was born Here my father and
mother died. | was the pride Of their
hearts, but l brought down their gray
hairs with sorrow to the grave. Here !
commenced my married life, and all that
heart could wish was mine. Here Mary
and | took comfort till Haskins came
and opened his rum shop, and now he
| calls it his! In that south room my
children were born, and here my Jennie
died. Oh, how ,orrowful she looked
| when she saw me take her shoes and start
for the store to pawn them for rum, while
she lay sick. And then how she begged
me before she died, never to strike her
mother again. can see her now, her
pale face, her wasted form, but she can
not come to me again And oh, my wife,
how shamerullv have | abused you! 1t
was not your Daniel that did it. No ! it
was that vile rum that Haskins sold me.
| No wonder you we're taken from me by
those who love you, and would not see
you abused. They won't have me in tho
house. Not a drop more, Daniel, till
these broad acres are again mine, and
that wife and children that are living are
| in yonder rooms, and we are a happy
family once more. Not drop more,
Daniel, so help me God, till these things
are accomplished. thank you. Haskins
for these words | shall not forget
| them.
He had become so much occupied with
his thoughts, and spoken in tone SO
loud that lie had not heard the wagon
which by this time had reached the road,
in which was seated tng kind hearted
Quaker who has been mentioned He
stopped his horse and heard distinctly
the language which Daniel had used. AS
he closed his soiloquy he turned aud saw
Thomas Edgerton, who said;
"Daniel, does thee mean to keep thy
vowp"
He answered, "I do. "
"Thee has promised a great many
times that thee would drink no more.
What makes thee think thee will keep thy
VOW"
'"I know. friend Edgerton, have Of
ten, often vowed to drink no more, but
now foel different from what ever did