The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-07-17
THE OLD MANS STORY.

THE OLD MANS STORY.
A tale which has been printed in pam
phlet-form, and had extensive circuIa-
tiOn both in this country and in Eng
land, describes thrilling scene in the
commencement of the temperance refOr-
nation.
It is written by one who, when q boy,
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 a meeting that was to be held
on a 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 gall ry,
and attacked the positions OF the
speaker-using the arguments which l
have often heard since, and concluding
by denOuncing those engaged in the
new movement, as med dllesome fanatics,
who wanted to break the time-honOred
usages of good society, and injure the
business of respectable men. At the
conclusion of his remarks, the tavern
keeper and his friends got up cheer,
and the current of feeling was evidently
against the strangers and the new plan.
As the pastor took his seat the old
man arose, his tall form towering in its
symmetry, and his chest swelling as he
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 low and tremu-
Ious 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, "I am stranger in your midst,
but trust may call you friends. A
new star has risen, and there is hope in
the dark night which has spread pail
of gloom over our country - With
thrilling depth of voice, the speaker
| locked his hands together and con-
| tinued go God thouwho looked with
compassion on the most erring OF earth's
children, I thank thee that a brazen
| serpent has been lifted, upon which the
drunkard 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 and measured, but tear trembled
in every tone; and before I knew Why,
| a tear dropped upon my hand, followed
| by others like rain-drops. The old man
| brushed one or two from his own eyes
and continued:
I" Men and Christians you have Just
| heard that am a vagrant and fanatic. I
am not. As my God knows my own sad
heart, I came here to do good. Hear
me, and be just!
| 'f I am an old man, standing at the
end of life's iourney. There is deep
| sorrow in my heart, and tears in my
| eyes. I journeyed over a dark and
beaconless ocean, and all life'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, kim
| dred or home It was not once so ~
No one could Withstand the touching
| pathOs of the old nan. 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.
| l involuntarily turned in the direction
| where 1t was pointed, dreading 70 see
| some spirit invoked by its magic move
ments.
| /" I once had a mother who, with
| her old heart crushed with sorrow, went
| down to the grave. once had q wife
| "a fair, angel creature, as ever smiled
in an earthly home Her eyes as mild
as summer sky, and her heart as
faithful and true as ever guarded and
cherished husbands love. Her blue
| eyes grew dim, as the floods of sorrow
| washed away their brightness, and her
| living heart l wrung until every fibre
was broken. once had noble, brave,
! auO DSdu11IU4 OOy out ne was driven
out from the ruins of his home, and my
| old heart yearns TO know if he yet lives
1 once had a babe-a sweet, tender
blossom but these hands DESTROYED it,
and 1t lives with One who lo7eth chill
dreR.
''Do not be startled, friends-I am
not murderer in the common accepta-
ton of the term.
Yet there is light In my evening
sky. A spirit mother rejoices over the
return oi her prodigal son. The wife
smiles upon him who again turns back
to virtue and honor. The child-angel
visits me at night-fall, and feel the
hallowing touch of 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 have
brought on me and mine
L dCGS once a fanatic" -" and madIy
followed the malign light which led
me to ruin. I was fanatic when I sac
rificed my wife, children. happiness and