The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1874-02-20
ON THE BRINK.
A TEMPERANCE SKETCH.

TEMPERANCE SKETCH.
1 have known Arthur Grayely we'll
and intimately. A part of his story
came to nay knowledge through my own
observation, and part he told me him
self.
Arthur came of an old, well-defned
and respectable stock, with Just enough
of aristocratic pride inherited from his
progenitors to give him refinement and
self-reliance. At an early age he was
left an orphan, and received most of his
education under the care of an
uncle. When he was one-and-
twenty he was admitted to the
employ of a banker named Vanderlain,
and very soon took a position of trust
and responsibility in the house. A
year later he took for his wife Fanny
Summerton-one of the fairest and
sweetest of earthly treasures. He had
loved her long and truly, and her love
in return had been single and devoted.
Thus was life opening for Arthur
Gravely with bright and happy prom
Use. He had friends whichever way he
turned; his business prospects We're of
the very best; and his home was an
earthly paradise.
One enemy, and one enemy alone, at
this time stood in Arthur's path. His
wife did not see it then. She loved him
30 fondly and SO trustingly that she
could not see fault.
A few of Arthur's friends feared dam
ger, and one Of them, more bold than
the rest, spoke to him warningly, but
kindly; but he turned away from the
warning with sneer of derision.
The months and the years went on
from twenty-five to twenty-eight
Six years of married ife-six years of
blessing SO far as the outer things of
life can give blessing. In the bank Ar
thur had assumed place very near to
the head, and his salary was munif-
cent.
From earlyyouth Arthur Gravely had
found the wine-cup among the symbols
of LIES social phase. He had kept
wine In his own house he had used it
upon his side-board and upsn his table;
and he had partaken freely abroad. In
his earlier years it was wine, and only
wine of the best and the purest. Later,
stronger liquors were required to keep
up the tone. At the age of eight-and
twenty, there had come an undue flush
upon Arthur's cheek, and there were
blotches in the eye which ought not to
have been there. He now took brandy
before breakfast, and through the day
he was forced to supply fuel to feed
fire which else might have con-
sumed all bodily comfort. AS yet he
had never been helplessly intoxi-
Gated. He was confident in his own
strength.
Alas for the man thus fallingi He
knows not that his powers of under
standing are dying out as the body
fades and perishes!
At length, Mr.. Vanderlain called Ar
thur into his private closet, and told
him that he was going to suspend busi-
ness"
1 have money enough" said Mr..
Vanderlain, "and 1 know that my
close application to business is wear
ing upon me. l am growing in years,
and need rest. 1 think of going to
Europe"
"And Of closing up your business ?"
"Yes."
But, sir, there is no need of that.
II you viii trust your bank under the
guidance of some capable and respon-
sible agent, with your name at its
head, it might go prosperously on, and
you could go away upon your trip at
will" = A-eN.s
A cloud came upon the bankers face,
and he shook his head.
"H i too slate. : he said. sat some
time 4 may fell you more. I
Shortly after this, in process of clos.
ing Up, his business, Mr.. yanderlain
sent Arthur TO distant city to make