South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1873-11-14


passed to oil who called, aud Harvey had
not been with US long before we learned
that bis weak point was love for strong
drink. Could 1t be possible that emid so
many noble traits, one evil habit could have
power to blast the happiness Of life Alss,
IL was true.
Father bad become much interested in
Harvey during the vacation, and he talked
long aud earnestly with him on tho evil
that would surely follow if he did not shun
the wine cup. He promised TO try, aud
when the Christmas holidays brought him
again into our midst, we rejoced in ii, rs-
form.
Time passed on he graduated and stu
died law. A careful reader, clear and
earnest thinker, all who knew him prophe-
sled brilliant career in his chosen profes.
sion.
Ho and Emily had been engaged year,
aud during that time he had never Welded
to temptation. We fondly believed tba.
there was no longer any danger. But we
were soon awakened from our delusion.
"A few days more aud they were TO have
been married. We were busy arranging
the invitations. Edward and Harvey bad
gone INFO the city TO attend banquet Civ
en- IN Harvey's honor. He had Just gained
case which had been dragging It's weary
length through the courts while he was vet
IN college. 1t was great success. The
whole country rang with his praise Oh,
how proud Emily was She had given
him her whole heart, and loved him as few
men are ever loved. | remember we'll her
saying, 'Oh, Clara, this victory seems to
me to be as a pledge of his victory over
himself; blu. if he had not conquered his
taste for strong drink this triumph had ne
yer been achieved. Now, can trust him
fully, unhesitatiugly'
We spent the evening talking over the
future, aud when | left her for the night,
noticed how full of quiet happiness she
seemed to be. Exc day dawned how chang
ed was the scene L was aroused by nv
mother, whose look of anguish startled me.
Starting up, | asked what was the matter.
Putting her arms around me, she said, ooh,
Clara, how shall we tell Emily Harvey
Bolton has killed his old friend aud guar.
dian!
| succeeded at length in learning that al
the supper table, while talking over the G.
vents of the trial, Harvey, who had been
drinking freely all the evening, took offensc
at some remark made, and dared the speak
er 10 repeat it. The offensive words were
repeated, which 50 enraged Harvey, who
was heated with wine, that he caught de.
canter standing near him, and hurled il at
the offender. 10 his frenzy be had taken
no thought of those who stood between
them; the decanter struck bis friend on
the temple, and he dropped dead
Io the confusion that followed, some one
turned of the gas, and taking advantage Of
the darkness, some of Harveys friends bur
| fie6 him away \ vessel lag in the bar.
/ Dor; they carried him on board, hoping all
might yet he well
Poor Emily tried hard to bear up der
her heavy load Of sorrow, but she gave way
when the day arrived that should have
been her wedding day, and with it letter
from the captain Of the vessel on which
| Harvey was, saying that he had taken bi:
own life. Accompanying the captains let
ter was one FROM Harvey, stating that be
could not control his feelings of remorse
that his future was backeuod past rccove-
~ and that he did not wish TO survive the
ruin he had brought upon himself aad her.
do you wonder now that she is troubled
when she knows that you are indulging a
taste bat may lead to such sad cousequen.
ces? My dear Edward, shun this evil.
Let Harvey Billions fate be warning tc
you