The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-19
A Lesson for Fathers.

"Well, Fred, my boy, suppose you
would like taste,' and the indulgent faith
cr poured small quantity of wine, and
passed 1t to fair child of eight years.
"Don't my dear; the child is too young"
and the hand of the mother would have
stayed the cup.
"Too young! | mean my children
shall know good wine when they taste it,,
and the father held his own glass to the
lips of still younger lad.
Cannot you tell your children of the
evil consequence of wine-drinking, and thus
prejudice them against its use 2" asked
lady who had witnessed the above scene,
and afterwards sought to assuage the moth
ers tears.
''Then | must censure their fathers con-
duct, and teach them to dispise his words
No, cannot do that" was the reply.
Thus two sprightly boys saw their faith
ers friends entertained with wine, heard its
merits discussed, and learned by actual ex-
periencc to select the best brands.
a few years served to create an appetite
for a larger quantity than even an indul-
gent parent would allow. Then came
stealthy visits to the wine-cellar, and still
more secret gatherings Of the boys, from
neighboring families, where Fred Stanly,
acting as host, served his youthful guests
his fathers table.
Sudden illnesses alarmed the mother, and
brought a strange look into the face of old
DR.. Hapgood, the family physician.
"What is the occasion OF these sudden
attacks 2" asked the somewhat anxious IA
Their, as they stood by the bedside of the
almost unconscious Theodore.
The kind old gentleman looked steadily
in the face of the man before him. "Your
son is in dangerous condition" said he,
land | would advise you to be careful of
him"
Dangerous, doctor! you surely don't
think this may prove fatal = and the strong
man actually wept.
Gle is in no immediate danger of death"
was the reply. "But to be plain, your child
of twelve years is drunk
doctor, do you mean to insult me ?"
and Captain Stanly, dashing aside the tears,
grew pale with anger.
'Be not hasty, my dear sir, interposed
the doctor. Il will state few facts which
it may be well for you to know. Within
the past week, have been called to Colonel
Eastman's, to find his only son in the same
condition | find Theodore to-day; for
few days past my brother-in-law, Esquire
Lansing, has been obliged to study the
same sad lesson you have learned this even
| Ing, anu liOlu my ntpHcW J. nave dsCCT-
tained facts which warrant me in saying
your son is under the influence of liquor,
and has been twice before within month"
doctor, this cannot be. My children
are both yonng, and are allowed very little
| spending money. 1t is quite impossible
| they should form habits with such conse-
| quences.
"You have wine in your cellar Captain
| Stanly your children have imbibed taste
for it; they are daily witnesses of your
ideas of true hospitality. Can you won
der, then, when | tell you, they repeatedly
entertain even small boys with this bever-
age, taken, as | have reason to believe, from
your own wine closet and that the conse-
| quences are what you have seen and heard
today
Captain Stanley extended his hand.
'If these things are so, it is well should
know them. | would rather cut off
right hand, or pluck out right eye, than
that these youngsters should suffer real
harm"
This really noble, hearted but misguided
man was true to his word. He did, in
deed, sever a habit as dear as right hand,
when he banished wine from his presence,
plainly telling his friends, by signing the
total abstinence pledge, that henceforth
they must not expect it while partakng of
his hospitality.
This change proved the salvation of
Theodore, for he was easily brought under
new influences but with Fred the case
was different. Unable to obtain supplies
from his fathers wine closet he transferred
his depredations to Captain Stanly's pock-
et-book. Thus eqnipped. he became well
come guest at billiard saloons, and other
questionable places, until, sinking lower
and lower, his parents soon followed him
TO drunkard's grave.
Capt. Stanly remembers DR.. Hapgood
with gratitude, and rejoices that wisdom
came early enough TO save one son, yet as
often reflects with sorrow that his folly has
ruined another. Selected.