The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-07-18
THE OLD MAYS STORY.

| AHE ULD MANS - S1Ok1.
A tale which has been printed in pam
phlet-form, and had extensive circula-
ton both in this country and in Eng
land, describes thrilling scene in the
commencement of the temperance refor-
nation.
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 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 a 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
have often heard since, and concluding
by denouncing those engaged in the
new movement, as med ilesome fanatics,
who wanted to break the time-honOred
usages of good society, and lnjure the
business of respectable men. At the
conclusion of his remarks, the tavern
keeper and his friends got up a chez,
and the current of feeling was evidently
against the strangers and the new plan.
A. L. 1, II J
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-
dept }gpt fRe III rtae rnrffff6e fgrea g
and sweetness, which riyeted every
heart in the house before the first period
had been rounded. " Ny friends, he
said, '' [ am a 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 so God thou who looked with
compassion on the most erring of earth's
children, I thank thee that brazen
serpent has been lifted, upon which the
= cd n
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 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
Men and Christians you have just
heard that I am vagrant and fanatic. l
am not. As my God knows my own sad
heart, / came here to do good. Hear
me, and be just
60 am an old man, standing at the
end of life's journey. There is deep
sorrow in my heart, and tears in my
eyes. I journeyed over a dark afd
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, kin
dred or home 1t was not once SO 7"
No one could withstand the touching
pathos of the old man. I noticed a tear
trembling on the lid of my fathers eye
and 40 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.
I involuntarily turned in the direction
where it was pointed, dreading to see
some spirit invoked by its magic move
ments.
"I once had mother who, with
her old heart crushed with sorrow, went
down to the grave. 1 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 a husbands love. Her blue
ewes grew dim, as the floods of sorrow
washed away their brightness, and her
living heart wrung until every fibre
was broken. once had a noble, brave,
| and beautiful boy /; but he was driven
out from the ruins of his home, and my
old heart yearns to know if he yet lives.
I once had a babe-a sweet, tender
blossom but these hands destroyed IT,
| and it lives with One who loveth chill
| dren.
"Do not be startled, friends-I am
not a murderer in the common accepta-
| tion of the term.
"Yet there is light in my evening
sky. A spirit mother rejoices over the
return OF her prodigal son. The wife
smiles upon him who again turns back
to virtue and honor. The child-angel
hallowiDg touch of tiny palm upon
he yet lives, would forgive the sorrow
ing old man for life, and the Treatment
that drove him into the world. Goo
forgive me for the ruin that I have
brought on me and mine
acas once &c fanatic, and madly
followed the malign light which lee
me to ruin. I was fanatic when / sac
rificed my wife, children, happiness ant
home, to the accursed demon of th'
bowl. / once adored the gentle beins
whom injured so deeply.
81 once was drunkard. From re
spectability and affiuence, / plunge'
into degradation and poverty. Fo
years / saw her cheek pale, and he
step grow weary. left her alone ami
the wreck of her home idols, and riote
at the tavern. She never complained
yet she and the children went hungr
for bread.
"One New Years Night, went lat
to the hut where charity had given U
, roof. She was yet up, and sh1verin
over the Goals. demanded food ; br
she burst into tears, and said there We