The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-07-23
THE OLD MANS STORY.

A tale which has been printed in nam
phlet-form, and had extensive circula-
tion both in this country and in Fn0-
land, describes a thrilling scene in che
commencement of the temperance refor-
nation.
1t is written by one who, when bow.
was accustomed to seeing liquors upon
his fathers table, and TO taste the sugar
from the bottom of his morning glass.
A strange notice had come to the vii
lage, of meeting that was to be held
on certain evening, in the church.
Public curiosity was aroused. At the
appointed time, this father and his son,
the pastor of the church, the neighbor-
ing tavern keeper, and many others
came together, to hear what might be
said. Two strangers came in and took
their places at the altar, and the
younger, who had the manner and dress
of clergyman, stated the object of the
meeting, and offered prayer. After
which, he made a short address and
asked any one present who wished, TO
make remarks.
The pastor rose under the gallery,
and attacked the positions of the
speaker-using tho arguments which I
have often heard since, and CONCLUDING
by denouncing those engaged uthe
new movement, as meddlesome fanatics.
who wanted to break the time-honored
usages Of good society, and iniure the
business of respectable men. At the
conclusion of his remarks, the tavern
keeper and his friends got up a cheer,
and the current of feeling was evidently
against the strangers and she new plan.
As the pastor took his seat the old
man arose, his tall form towering in its
nnH hTu nhauk uwua1lsr,rr Il.
inhaled his breath through his thin, di-
lated nOstrils. To me, at this time.
there was something awe-inspiring and
grand in the appearance of the old man,
as he stood with his eye upon the audi
ence, his teeth shut hard and a 81
lence like death reigned throughout the
church.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern
keeper, and that peculiar eye fingered,
and kindled for a moment.
For a moment he seemed lost in
thought, and then in a low and tremu-
lous tone commenced. There was a
depth in that voice, thrilling pathos
and sweetness, which riveted every
heart in the house before the first period
had been rounded. "My friends" he
said, Z" am a stranger in your midst,
but trust I may call You friends. A
new star has risen, and there is hope in
the dark night which has spread a pail
of gloom over our country - With
thrilling depth of voice, the speaker
locked his hands together and con-
timed 30 God thou who looked with
compassion on the most erring of earth's
children, L thank thee that a brazen
serpent has been lifted, upon which the
druukard can look and be healed "a
beacon has burst out upon the darkness
that surrounded him, which shall guide
back to honor and heaven, the bruised
and weary wanderer.
It is strange what power there is in
some voices. The speakers voice was
low aud measured, but tear trembled
IN every tone and before knew Why,
tear dropped upon my hand, followed
by others like rain-drops. The old man
brushed one or two from his own eyes
and continued
Men and Christians You have Just
heard that am a yagrant and fanatic.
am not. As my God knows my own sad
heart, / came here to do good. Hear
me, and be just
." am au old man, standing at the
end of life's journey. There is a deep
sorrow in my heart, and tears in my
eyes l iourneyed over n dark and
heaconless ocean, and all hfe's hopes
have been wrecked. I am without
friends, home or kindred on earth, and
look with longing to the rest of the
night OF death. without friends, kin
dred or home 1t was not once so =
No one could Withstand the touching
pathos of the old man. / noticed tear
trembling ON the lid of my fathers eye
and I no more felt ashamed Of my own.
The old man seemed looking away
through fancy, or some bright vision,
his lips apart, and his fingers extended.
lnvoluntarily turned in the direction
where it was pointed, dreading 70 see
some spirit invoked by its magic move
ments.
L once had a mother who, with
her old heart crushed with sorrow, went
down to the grave I once had . wife
"a fair, angel creature, as ever smiled
IN an earthly home Her eyes as mild
as a summer sky, and her heart as
faithful and true as ever guarded and
cherished q husbands love. Her blue
eyes grew dim, as the floods of sorrow
washed away their brightness, and her
living heart wrung until every fibre
was broken. once had noble, brave,
and beautiful boy but he WIS driven
out from the ruins of his home, and my
old heart yearns to know If he yet lives.
l once had a babe-a sweet, tender
blossom but these hands destroyed IT.
aud 1t lives with One who loveth chill
dren.
do not be startled, friends-I am
not a murderer in the common accepta~
ton OF the term.
Yet there is light in my evening
sky. A spirit mother rejoices over the
return o. her prodigal son. The wife
SnNTNna v-fa, knVrfG haNE ]
to virtue and honor The child-aDgel
visits me at night-fall, and I feel the
hallowing touch OF a tiny palm upon
my feverish cheek. NY brave boy If
he yet lives, would forgive the sorrow
ing old man for life, and the treatment
that drove him into the world. God
forgive me for the ruin that I have
brought on me and mine
I tOds once a " fanatic" and madly
followed the malign light which led
me TO ruin. was a fanatic when sac
rificed my wife, children, happiness and
home, to the accursed demon of the
bowl. I once adored the gentle being
whom injured so deeply.
"I once was a drunkard. From re-
spectabllity and afllnence, I plunged
into degradation and pos erty. For
Years I saw her cheek pale, and her
step grow weary. left her alone amid
the wreck of her home idols, and rioted
at the tavern. She never complained,
yet she and the children went hungry
for bread.
Zone New Years Night, went late
70 the hut where charity had given us
roof. She was yet up, AMI shIverlng
over the Goals. demanded food but
she burst into tears, and said there was
none. hercely ordered her to get
some. She turned her eyes sadly upon