Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-06-12
The Temperance Meeting at Back.
ley.

ley.
Loud and long rang the single church.
bell at Backley, but it's industry was en-
tlrely unnecessary, but its single church
at Backley was already full from the al
tar to the doors, and the window-sills
and altar-steps were crowded with chill
dren. The Backleyites had been before
to the regular yearly y temperance meet
ings, and knew too well the relative
merits Of sitting and standing to wait
until called by the bell. Or course no
one could afford to b. absent, for enter
tainments were decidedly intreluent at
Backley populsce was too small to
support course of lectures, and too
moral to give any encouragement to
circuses aud minstrel troupes, but a
temperance meeting was both moral
ard cheap, and the children might all
be taken without extra cost.
For months ali the young men and
maidens at Backley had been practicing
the choruses of the songs which the
Temperance Glee Club Of neighbor-
ing town was to sing at the meeting.
For weeks had large posters, printed
in the reddest of ink, announced to tie
surrounding country that the parent
society would send to Backley, fer this
especial occasion, one of its most bril-
liant orators, and although the pastor
made the statement Gin the smallest
possible type} that at the close Of the
entertainment collection would be
taken to deiray the expense of the lee
turer, the sorrowing ones took comfort
in the fact that certain fractional cur
rency represented but small amount
Of money.
The bell ceased ringing, and the crowd
at the door attempted to squeeze into
the aisles the Backley Cornet Quar-
tette played a stirring air; Squire
Breet called the meeting to order, and
was himself elected permanent Chair
man the Reverend Mr. Genial prayed
earnestly that intcmperance might
cease to reign; the Glee Club sang
several songs, with rousing choruses
u preten lie | drunkarl and cold water
advocate both pupils Of the Backley
high School), delivered dialogue IN
which the pretended drunkard was
handled severely; tableau Of 1.-The
Drunka-d's Home was given and
then the parent society's brilliant ira
tor took the platform.
The orator was certainly very well
informed; logical and convincing, be-
sides being quite witty. He proved to
the satisfaction Of all present that al
cohol was not nutritious; that it
awakened a general and unhealthy
physical excitement and that it hard
ened the brain. He proved, By reports
Of ANALYSES, that adulteration, AMI with
harmful materials, was largely p 'actic-
ed. He quoted from reports of police,
prison, and sln;shouse authorities, to
prove his statement that alcohol made
most of our criminals. He unrolled
formidable array of statistics, and
showed how many loaves of bread
could be bought with the money ex-
pended in the United States for intoxi-
eating liquors; ; how many comfortable
houses the same money would build
how many schools it would support;
and how soon it would pay tie Nation
al Debt.
Then he drew a moving picture Of the
sorrow Of the drunkard's farily and
TIE awfulness Of the d<unfard's death,
and sat down amid a perfect thunder
Of applause.
The faithful bearned upon each other
with glowing and expressive counte-
nances the Correct Quartette playel
! "Dont you go, TOMMY the smallest
young laly sang ''Father, dear father,
come Home wi.k me Now ;" and then
Squire Breet, the chairman, announced
that the meeting was open for remarks.
4 derisivG laugh from some Of the
half grown boys, and litter from some
of the misses. attracted the attention
of the audience, and looking round
they saw 4 oe Digg standing up in a pew
near the door.
Put him out - '.It's a shame -
"Disgraceful - were some of the cries
which were heard in the room.
MIR. Digg is citizen of Backley,"
said the chairman, rapping vigorously
to call the audience to order, land
though not member of the association
he IS entitled TO a hearing
''Thank you, Mr.. Chairman" said
Joe Digg, when aaiss WAS restored
"your words afs the sEse respectful
ones I've ever heard in Satkley, ar I
! do assure you I appreciate 'em, BaE !