Richland beacon., 1875-10-23
For the Beacon.
TOT TIt DtdVIII.
DOTS On TEMPERANCE,
y.
Messrs. Editors:

subterfuges rcsorted to by the poor
drunkard to get whisky. Lying and
hypocrisy are often brought into
requisition to secure this poison. Had
the sot been told when a moderate
drinker that he was mapping out such
a character for himself in the future,
he would have denounced such an
intimation as gross SANDER. All !
what a change has been wrought in
his entire being. Virtue and high
toned principle were once his admira-
ton. Now should they stand in the
way Of his drains they are ignored
altogether. At all hazards, whisky
must be had, though every sentiment
Of self-re.pcct and honor be sacrificed.
When he started in bis career as IA
druLkard, his great aim was TO deceive
every one as to his habits.
Such record is often made by
these occupying high places in the
church Of God. Yes, from the sacred
desk the gutter has been reached |
have a specimen OF this sort at hand.
y man Uf high standing in this parish
was an eye witness. 1t occurred in
Andersor county, East Tennessee.
\ minister OF considerable ability be-
came by degrees slave to this soul
destroying beverage. lie still con-
tinued the ministration Of Gods word
TO his congregations So strong did
this enemy become that he found it
necessary to carry his bottle constant
ly in his pocket. On the occasion
referred to be became very eloquent,
and IN one of his lofty flights his
bottle was forgotten and it came in
contact with the desk and was broken,
and its contents ran down the steps
leading to that sacred place The
atmosphere became instantly impreg-
mated with whisky. Every olfactory
in that vast assembly felt the shock
The minister, taking in the situasion,
saw that something must be done
instantly. a lie was resorted to in
order to cover up his drinking Ah,
aohat riU not uhisky do arih ats
cicttm tettered by It's terrific polcer ?
He said, My brethren have a very
bad sore on my leg, and the whisky
was used to rub it with" 1t was
ascertained aft, rwards that this false
hood was concocted under the pressing
emergency of the occasion.
The poor wife is often made the
dupe OF the drunkard in his first steps
in his downward course. He tells
bis wife of pressing business calling
him away from his dear home. He
speaks of plans which, if successful,
will place her above the chilling
blasts of this world. She does not
canvass the idea for moment that
her husband would wifully deceive
her. Time passes by, and her
husbands business increases upon his
hands. His wife's duties increase
with his business and his absence.
Her heart is often times nigh unto
breaking, yet no complaint is register
ed against her husband. He is doing
his best for me and the dear children.
Oh yesl Let US lcok in upon him in
one of his business trips See him in
bis room at the hotel Spittoons full
of cigar stumps; Bourbon whisky,
and all hands equipped for a nights
spree. Husband is in great hurry
to be of. His conscience is not
stilled vet. He must write to bis
wife that be loves so tenderly. To
keep her in the dark as to his business
employment a lying subterfuge is
resorted to. He writes:
My dearest Matte:
My time is SO occupied with busi-
ness that can hardly spare moment
to write to you. Oh, darling! how |
miss you, and the only thing that
sustains me during my absence is the
though. that every moment thus
spent is for the benefit of my dear
wife and the children. Take good
care of our sweet babe.
Afectionately yours.
HUSBAND.
On the reading of the letter hope
springs up in the heart of his lonely
wife. Her husband has not reached
the degradation in store for him, in
the future. The finale is reached in
few years, and that poor woman is
called the drunkard's wife.
Another business man was deceiv-
ing his wife. In short time, how.
) ever, he came home in such fix as to
entirely undeceive her upon this point
Matters grew worse and worse and
he became a common drunkard. AL
: bis time was employed in drinking
! and hunting, his wife supporting hin
and his children. He plowed her {
: few acres of ground one spring which
, she planted in cotton, tending it will
her own hands. BY hard labor sht
y picked out two bales. AS the cottoI
f began to assume the shape of none.
a he for few weeks became very gooC
e and penitent. HIS rife began t.
hope. She told the neighbors tha
u her husband was a changed man
n His purpose was to get the handling
d of the proceeds of his wife's cotton
His plan was successful. He promise
;, 10 get his wife barrel Of -four an,
h other needed articles. See this re
formed drunkard in borrowed wago
l. taking bis wife's cotton to marke'
!, After getting to the depot, and takin
a several drinks, he talks very different