The Van Buren press., 1875-06-15
MISCELLANY.
ON THE BRINK.
A Temperance Sketch.
By sYLyANUS COBB, JR

have known Arthur Gravely well and
intimately. A part of his story came to
my knowledge through my own observa'
ton, and part he told to me himself.
Arthur came of an old. wcll-defned
and respectable stock, with just enough
aristocratic pride inherited from his pro
genitors to give him refinement and self
reliance. Al an carly age he was left All
orphan, and received the most of his ed
hcation under the care of an uncle.
When he was one and twenty, he was
admitted to the employ of a banke" ma
med Nanderlain, and very soon took q
position OF trust and responsibility in
the house, A year later he took for his
wife Fanny Soinerton, one Of the fairest
and sweetest of earthly treasures. He
had loved her long and truly, and hei
love, in return, had been single and de
voted. Thus was life opening for Ar
thur GraycIy, with bright and happy
promise He had friends whichever way
he turned his business prospects were
Of the very best; and his home was an
earthly paradise.
One enemy, and one enemy alone, al
this time stood in Arthvrs path. III;
wife did not see it then. She loved hin
SO fondly and SO trustingly that she was
unable to see a fault.
A few of Arthurs friends feared dan
ger, and one of them, more bold thar
the rest, spoke to him warningly, but
kindly; but he turned away from tho
warning with a sneer of derslon.
The months and the years went on
from twenty-five to twenty eight. Sin
wears Of married lile-siX years Of bles'
sing, so far as the outer things Of life
can give blessing In the bank Arthur
had assumed place very near the head
and his salary was muniiicent.
From early youth, Arthur Gravely had
found the wine cup among the symbols
of lfe's social phase. He had kept wine
in his own house he had used it on his
sideboard and upon his table; nd he hao
partaken freely abroad. In the earlier
years it was wine, and ony y wine OF the
best and the purest kind. Later, strong
er liquors were required to keep mp the
tone. At the age of eight and twenty
there had come an undue flush upon Ar
thurs cheek, and there were blotchcs IN
the eve which ought not to have beer
there. He now took brandy before
breakfast, and through the day he wa;
forced to supply fuel to feed fire which
else might have consumed all bodily
comfort AS yet he had never bscn hope
lessly intoxicated. He was coDfidant in
his own strength
Alas for the man thus failing! H(
knows not that his powers Of understsn
ding are dying out AS the body fades anc
perishes.
AT length Mr. Vanderlain called Ar
thur into his private closet, and Informed
him he was going to suspend business
- | have money enough" said Mr.. Van
derlain, - and | know that my close ap
plcation to business is wearing upon me
am growing in years, and need rest.
think Of going to Europe =.
"And of closing np your business'
Yes"
"But sir, there is no need OF that. II
you will trust your bank under the gul'
dance of some capable and responsible
agent, with your name at its head, II
might 60 prosperously on, and you could
90 away upon your trip at will.
A cloud came across the bankers lace
and he shook his head,
Its too late" he said "At some
Time | may tell you more"
Shortly after this, in process OF closing
business, Mr. Vandcrlan sent Arthur tc
a distant city to make some important
settlements Arrived at his destination
the young man called upon the cores
pondcnts of the bank, aud having made
preliminary arrangements, he found nm
self with few days upon his hands thai
he might enjoy. On the very evening OF
his arrival he he had fallen in with Johf
Ha,ton and William Roberts, two friends
and classmates Of earlier years. lie was
startled when he saw them; they were
evidently going down hill-werc drink
ing to excess He spent first and sec
ond night in their company On tins
second night, for the drst time in his lille
Arthur Gravely drank to a state Of help
less stupeiaetion. He awokc the mex
day, feeling sad and humilated. Wher
he met his companions in private par
lor connected with their sleeping apart
ments. he found them with bowl OF ho
brandy between them. A spirit OF tru'
riendliness came upon him when he saw
fhe marks OF the destroyer so deeply fix
ed upon the companions Of his boyhood
Boys" said he, "this wont do io'
! :