Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-12
Temperance. True story.

temperance True Story.
Amid the green hills Of Vermont on
white marble slab, Is written the name Of an
ohly son Of one Of the most wealthy families
OF the place A townsman, unacquainted
with the sad story Of young s., might read
the inscription on his tombstone with sigh
that the heir of so much wealth should die
in manhood's prime; but to those intimate
With his personal history wealth would be
lost sight Of, in view Of the fearful struggle
for dear life he maintained with demon
that dogged his steps for weeks and months,
and years even, and thrust him at last in
fearful terror into this untimely grave.
:. grew up noble type Of manhood.
Fine IN form, genial and dignifcd ia bear
ing, h. was considered leader in the COM
muuky, and placed IN Offices Of trust at a
very early age. But, alas the morning that
beaued so brightly was soon shut in by the
darkest clouds he loved the incbriating cup.
that, sooner or later, "bitcth like serpent
aud slinecth like an adder" His father be-
lieved in the moderate use Of spirituous
liquor as beverage, aud often yindicated
his course before his son, perverting pas
sages Df Scripture aud always supplied his
family with brandy to use at the discretion
of its members.
Young S. with his superior mental capac-
tiles, saw before he was seventeen, the per-
nicious effects Of free use Of this fiery poi
son, AMI felt, in his growing appetite for it.
there was danger and this consciousness Of
danger aroused the powerful energies of his
soul 10 resistance, and he resolved never 10
taste it again. Until twenty, he withstood
manfulg the daily temptation his mistaken
father truelly placed before him, and kept
his pledge unbroken then he was prostratcd
by severe sickness, and his physician, as is
too Often the case, prescribed spirits as u
restorative at first, he peremptorily refused
TO taste It, but his mother, in her great anx-
iety for the recovery of her darling, insisted
he should take it just for medicine" and
he yielded. 1t seemed a small matter, but
the consequences were fearful. II was like
opening crevice in a bank against pent up
waters; his slumbering appetite was so
qulckenei by commencing again the daily
use of liquor, that he never more was master
of himseF His whole soul rebelled against
slavery 10 the demon intemperance," and
hence the bitterness of the cup of misery,
which he drank to the very dregs.
The dnunkard who becomes such without
compunaion, and even glories in his shame,
may live stupidity on for years, loathsome
burden to himself aud society; but con-
slant stnggle with the pursuing hend, such
aswas manifested by ynung s., sonn wears out
the physical frame lie knew, and his
friends knew, that, unless he obtained the
victory, he soon must die. Yet, strange to
tell, his father, his cruel father, still kept be-
fore him the fatal brandy-the bane Of his
life. In the day of reckoning, how can he
answer for this great wickedness
S. loved most tenderly a beautiful, true
hearted maiden, who was worthy the wealth
of affection he gave her, and who loved him
no less fervently in return and her plighted
/ troth was the golden sunshine OF heaven
that brought summer to his heart, but when
he found his resolutions of reform were of
no avail-that, notwithstanding all his ef.
forts, the destroyer was constantly gaining
upon him--his generous nature recQiled
from the thought Of binding her to share
his miserable destiny, and he broke the en-
| gagement.
Then, in the bitterness Of his spirit, he
prayed for death 10 release him from his un
speakable misery. Poor young man would
he had prayed for strength TO resist tempta
ton then the answer would have been, My
grace is sufficient for theG;' but instead OF
] lophluP on nAHu loI Atlp. ne sun lhuRul
alone with his enemy, and failed,
Mania for drink followed he felt himself
pursued by numberless devils, and saw eyei
before him darkly yawning graves, with al
agony fearful to witness. But this could moi
be long; death soon released him and here
ia this rural nook, the birds sing as sweetly
and the summer winds kiss as gently tn,
green turf above him, as though his brief If,
had not thus been crushed out in bitterness
But will not his sad history speak to many
father and mother and physician, and Civ
point 10 the woe pronounced against hin
who giveth his neighbor drink TO maxi
him drunk :" What fearful thing TO hav
the blood of victim, slain through our in
iuence, cry from the ground to God for ven
geancel Yet are there not countless graves
all over our fair land, filled with the young
the generous aud true, who have been lee
into temptation and placed under the demol
that destroys by the very friends God ha
commissioned as their protectors Are yoi
guilty, readerY If so, repent, before he
whose eyes are as flame Of fire, aud who's
voice is as the sound of many waters, calls
Where is thy brother z"
A few words in regard 10 the friends q
young s., and the sad story is closed. TIL
sensibilities of his father were so deadene
/, by his long use Of brandy, that he saw nc
. the true part he had acted in the tearir
drama, but wondered why God had give
him so much of sorrow in his only som" Bu
the loving, true-hearted mother, looked o
the frghtful wreck of her noble boy wit
keenest remorse. She felt that his fathC
had led him to acquire an appetite for stron
, drink, thus placing a dagger to his breas
, which he had blindly pressed home to HI
', yitals, and she would not be comforted, br
went down broken-hearted to the grave
, The young woman he loved so fondly sti
, lives, with heart educated by suffering
feel for and comfort the distressed. II,
heart-crushing grief produced illness, an
: for long time her life was despaired OF
. but she looked 10 God for strength 10 bca
a and he gave It, and she now waits Nit
/ ehastened spirit for the summons to a hon
I that never will be darkened by the curse thi
ever follows the ungovened use of alcohol
' liquors.-Morning Star.