The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-15
Temperance-A True Story.

Amid the green hills of Vermont, ON
white marble slab, is written the name of
an only son of one of the most wealthy fam
lilies Of the place. A townsman, unac
quaintcd with the sad story of young s.,
might read the inscription on his tombstone
with a sigh that the heir of 80 much wealth
should die in manhoods 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 main
tanned with demon that logged his steps
for weeks and months, and years even, and
thrust him at last in fearful error into this
untmely grave.
S., grew up a noble type of manhood.
Fine in form, genial and dignified in bear
ing, he was considered leader in the COM
munity. and placed in offices of trust at a
very early age. But, alas the morning
that beamed so brightly was soon shut in
by the darkest clouds lie loved the inebr-
ating cup, that sooner or later, ''biteth like
serpent and stingeth like an adder" His
father bclieved.n the moderate use of spir-
ituous liquors as beverage, and often vim
dlcated his course before his son, pervert-
ing passages OF scripture ; and always sup
piled bis family with brandy to Use at the
discretion of its members.
"Young S., with his superior mental cap
pernicious effects of free use of this fiery
poison, and felt, in his glowing appetite for
it, thetc was danger; and this conscious
ness of danger aroused the powerful ener-
gies of his soul to resistance, and he re-
solved never to taste it again. Until twen-
tY, he withstood manfully the daily temp
tation his mistaken father cruelty placed
before him, and kept his pledge unbrokcn
then he was Frustrated by severe sickness,
and his physician, as is too often the case,
prescribed spirits as restorative at first,
he peremptorily refused to taste it, but his
mother, in her great anxiety for the rccov-
cry of her darling, insisted he should take
it ''just for a medicine" and he yielded.
1t seemed small matter, but the conse-
quences were fearful. 1t was like opening
| a crevice in bank against pent up waters !;
his slumbering appetite was SO quickened
by commencing again the daily use of IL.
quor, that he never more was master of
himself. His whole soul rebelled against
slavery to the 'demon intemperance," and
hence the bitterness Of the cup of misery,
which he drank to the very dregs.
The drunkard who becomes such without
conjunction, and even glories in his shame,
may live stupidity on for years, loathsome
| burden to himself and society but con-
slant struggle with the pursuing fiend, such
as was manifested by young S.. soon wears
out the physical frame. He knew, and his
friends knew, that, unless he obtained the
victory, lie soon must die. Yet, strange to
tell, his father, his cruel father, still kept
before 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 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
plghted troth was the golden sunshine of
heaven that brought summer to his heart,
form were of no ayail-that, notwithstand-
ing all his efforts, the destroyer was con-
SANITY gaining upon him-his generous ma
ture recoilcd from the thought of binding
her to share his miserable destiny, and he
broke the engagement.
Then, In the bitterness of his spirit, he
prayed for death to release him from his
unspeakable misery. Poor young man
would he had prayed for strength to re-
sist the temptation then the answer would
have been, "My grace is sufficient fOI
thee !" but instead of looking on high foi
help, he still fought alone with his enemy
and failed.
Mania for drink followed he felt himself
pursued by numDerlesS devils. ana saw
ever before him darlly yawning graves
with an agony fearful to witness. But thit
could not be long death soon released him
and here, in this rural nook, the birds sing
rs sweetly and the summer winds kiss a.
gently the green turf above him, as though
his brief life had not thus been crushed ou
in bitterness. But will not his sad histor,
speak to many father and mother ant
physician, and give point to the woe pro
nounced against him who "giveth his neigh
Dor drink TO make him drunk 2" What
fearful thing to have the blood of a victim
} slain through our influence, cry from tn,
ground to God for vengeance Yet ar,
there not countless graves, all over our fa
land, filled with the young, and generous
and true, who have been led into tempta
ton and placed under the demon that de
/ stroys by the very friends God has commits
: stoned as their protectors Are you guilty
reader? If so, repent, before he, who's
eyes are as flame of fire, and whose voic
is as the sound of many waters, calls
"Where is thy brother p
A few words in regard to the friends
: young S., and the sad story Is closed. III
: sensibilities of his father were 80 deadene
by his long use of brandy, that he saw nc
the true part he had acted in the tearft
p drama, but "wondered why God had give
him so much of sorrow In his only son.
K But the loving, true-hearted mother, locke
Q on the frightful wreck of her noble DO
| GkA talt that