Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1874-07-18
THE OLD MANS STORY.

patient bit OF .tallON and2
THE OLD MANS STORY.
A tale which has been printed in pam
phlet-form, and had extensive circula-
tion both in this country and in Eng
land, describes a thrilling scene in the
commencement of the temperance refor
matien.
1t is written by one who, when 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 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 llesome 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, dl-
lated nostrils. To me, at this time,
there was something awe-inspiring and
grand in the appearance of the old man man,
az he stood with lis eye upon tiiG "u''i'
! ence, his teeth shut hard; and 81
lence like death reigned throughout the
churc2.
He bent his gaze upon the tavern,
keeper. and that peculiar eye fingered,
and kindled for moment.
For moment he seemed lost IN
Thought. and then in low and tremu'
lous tone commenced. There was
depth in that voice, thrilling pathos
and sweetness, which riyeted every
heart in the house before the first perioc
had been rounded. "My friends, ht
said. 81 am stranger in your midst
but trust | may call you friends. a
new star has risen, and there is hope Il
the dark night which has spread a pal
of gloom over our country With
thrilling depth of voice, the speake
locked his hands together and con
timed :-"OGod thou wholooked witt
compassion on the most erring OF earth
children, | thank thee that a brazel
SERPENT has been lifted, upon which tn
drunkard can look and be healed =
beacon has burst out upon the darknes
, that surrounded him, which shall guid
back to honor and heaven, the bruise
: and weary wanderer. ." .
It is strange what power there is l
some voices. The speakers voice wa
. . low and measured, but tear tremble
in every tone and before l knew Why
: a tear dropped upon my hand, followe
: by others like rain-drops. The old ma
brushed one or two from his own eye
n and continued
n "Men and Christians you have jus
! heard that | am vagrant and fanatic.
7 am not. As my God knows my own 50
4 heart, I came here to do good. Hes
s me, and be just! II,
a II am an old man, standing at I'll
q end of life's journey. There is dee
y sorrow in my heart, and tears in m
O ewes. 1 journeyed over dark an
a beaconless ocean, and all life's hope
= have been wrecked. I am withol
= friends, home or kindred on earth, an
e look with longing to the rest of IL
:. night OF death. Without friends, XII
:. dred or home 1t was not once so
No one could withstand the touchir
Il pathos of the old man. l noticed tet
ia trembling on the lid of my fathers e.
and I 40 more felt ashamed of my owl
: The old man seemed looking awt
Is through fancy, or some bright vislo
J his lips apart, and his fingers extende
Z I involuntarily turned in the directi'
~ where it was pointed, dreading TO s
If some spirit invoked by its magic NOV
,e ments.
,e 81 once had a mother who, wi
her old heart crushed with sorrow, we
down to the grave. once had q w
"A fair, angel creature, as ever smil
in an earthly home Her eyes as mi
III as a summer sky, and her heart
nr faithful and true as ever guarded a
1e cherished a husbands love. Her bl
es eyes grew dim, as the floods of sorr'
It. washed away their brightness, and |
er living heart / wrung until every tit
IN was broken. / once had noble, bra'
us and beautiful boy; but he was drlv
an ont from the ruins of his home, and ]
he old heart yearns to know if he yet liv
Mt 7 once had a babe-a sweet, tenC
,r- blossom but these hands destroyed
we and it lives with One who loveth cf
ol- dren.
m "Do not be startled, friends-I
nd not murderer in the common accep
is ton of the term.
rec "Yet there is light in my even
DTS sky. A spirit mother rejoices over
he return OF her prodigal son. The "
is smiles upon him who again turns b'
The to virtue and honor. The child-an
to visits me at night-fall, and l feel
Sc hallowing touch of tiny palm III
va my feverish cheek. Ny brave boy
Of he yet lives, would forgive the sorr
i'm. ing old man ior life, and The tIeatm
nts that drove him into the world: I
art forgive me for the ruin that l h
ese brought on me and mine
or al ,oaS once fanatic" and ma
18th followed the malign light which
ON. me to ruin. was fanatic when l
the rificed my wife, children, happiness
home, to the accursed demon OF