The Van Buren press., 1875-01-12


Notwithstanding an almost constant
course of dissipation, ! succeeded II
pursuing my studies successfully, ant
graduating with honor to myself. THIS
debauchery which l was so heedlessl,
pursuing, at last eliminated. TWAS onl,
a week till my twenty first birthday, anc
was having the terrible delirium tremen'
and most fearful is its remembrance. Nc
one but those who have had the frightfu
disease, can form an adequate conception
OF its terrors. Imagiue the room IL
which you are lying peopled with de
mons all Of whom are resolved upor
your life that wherever you look fright
| ful images preaent themselves to YOU
vision Snakos ure your companions
when you lie down, they are your bed
fellows they wrap themselr tightly
around your body, crushing, apparently
your bones with their folds. They WIND
their green and sickish rings around your
neck, almost strangling you in the vile
embrace No one is about yon but you
think is in sympathy with your torment.
ors No rest, by day, no sleep by night
the mind constantly under the pressure
Of intense and unabated excitement. You
suspect everybody, and see nothing but
horror in everything that surrounds you
But these are mere shadows of the awful
reality-the mere outlines of the fright
ful picture. The worst is yet to come.
While in delirium, / drove that mother,
who had prayed beside my couch Of dis
sipation, from my bed, with blows, while
cursing her with fearful maledietons, and
denouncing her with .unmcntonable spl-
thets, even charging her with marital in
fidelity. A brother, methousht would
kill me, aud as he brought me something
to eat, | saatched the knife, and struck at
his throat, just missing his neck. and cut
ting a deep cash in his shoulder; the
scar of which he carried till his death
They then fastened me to the bed, with
thongs. and the almost supernatural ef-
forts made to free myself, caused me to
bleed at the eyes, nose and mouth For
six days and nights was l in this horrible
condition; and, on the seventh-my
twenty-iirst birth day-when ] was re-
stored to my senses, and learned how
horribly had abused the woman who
gave me birth, and who was welcoming,
with warm love kisses, my returning rca.
son and my dearly beloved brother,
whom had tried to kill, bending over
me with pale, pain tinted face, weeping
with delight at my restoration, remorse
filed my soul and calling upon the fami-
ly and friends that were present--some
twenty in numbcr-to kneel by my bed,
l made solemn vow. Taking the hands
or my mother aud brother, rose In the
bed, and closing my eyes, said:
"Oh, Thou God Of Heaven. in Thy
presence, and before these witnesses, |,
on this, the twenty. y.frst birthday OF my
life, do solemnly promise to abandon my
evil habits, and associations Forgive,
oh, forgive me- and enable me to be
faithful to this vow!''
" God help you my SOM" exclaimed
my mother, throwing herself upon the
bed, almost frantic with joy, while Tom
mic, the brother whom ! had cut, kneeled
by my bed and prayed with trembling
utteranccs and fearful eyes, that ! might
be enabled to keep my VOWS.
Never shall forget that scene. 1t is
painted on my mind, and oftimcs it pass
es before my fancy like a lovely panoram.
ma. love to pass it in review, and re-
call its tender and holy recollectlons
This terrible spot upon the escutcheon Of
youth, stained the early part of my scho.
lastic life. 1t was about three weeks be
fore ] was again upon my feet, and over a
month before | re. entered the school.
room, but was different boy. | had
given up my two vices Of drinking and
gambling, and my time, at night, was
spent at home in study and reading, and
listening to the wise counsels Of my dar.
ling mother. did not lose any Of the
of my nature, though it was
mildly tempered by the fiery furnace
through which it had passed. My old
companions who did not seem to take
warning from my fearful sickness, still
continued in their course OF dissipation
They taunted and reviled me because
would not mingle, as OF old, in their ri.
otous revelings. And when they found
that this would not move me from the
future course | had determined upon.
they approached me under the guise of
friendship, and besought me to again be-
come one Of their number had cous
in named Henry Parker. and he was the
most eager OF them all that should once
more join in their baccanaian bouts.
Harry" said /, the tears filling my
eyes and my voice trembling under the
agony OF the mind retrospection, do
you remember that terrible night, when,
N my delirious rawlings, cursed aud ma
igned my mother ?"
"Yes, Willie" he replied, +" was there,
md heard it all
Was it not terrible. Harry p
"Oh, yes. Willie, it Uas terrible Such
'urses and epithets never heard before,
md never desire to hear again. They
WERE dreadful
"What caused me to utter them p
Delirium ocaasioncd by drink
"And yet you, Harry, YoU, my cousin,
vho | love like a brother, counsel me to |
esume that course which has so fearfully |
'lackened the record of my past life
20, Harry, no the solemn vow | made
o abstain from liquor and cards, is reg.
stored in heaven; IL cannot, aye, Harry,
/ shall not be broken! win you not
make similar vow?'
"Yes, Willie" he said, his voice trcm.
ling with emotion, shower OF warm
ears bathing my hand. as he grasped it
IL. w, E,aIt all, L,,