The Van Buren press., 1875-02-16

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temperance lecturerp You cannot bu'
be successful" replied the husband, play
fully
"Oh, do not jest about the matter, my
DEAR she said, the tears glistening like
diamonds in her beautiful eyes, it ap
proximates almost to profanity to talk
jocularly about thing So serious in its
nature"
"Whv, my dear" he replied tenderly,
II hope you don't think that ] am in
MUCH danger from the looking upon
wine that may do p
=" No, husband, thank God = she re
piled, "but for the influence which our
looking exercises upon others, we will
he held responsible
Are we not each one Of us free mo-
raj agents. and, therefore, responsible
for our own actions y
"True enough; but we become a par
ty to the sin Of our neighbor when we,
directly or indirectly, are the cause of its
commission.
For mercy's sake, wife !" he cxclaim
ed, with perplexed air, how am Imis
directing any one? p
by Introducing wine at yoar dinner.
parties"
~ do not force my guests to drink II
did. then would be responsible for the
act. But as do not do SO, but leave
tneH W cArrcisv e",'' .e"" s"s""~-.--, .
am not able to understand your applea-
ton Of it to my case
F." Husband" she said, impressively,
"do you never urge persons to drink
wine at your table -
Yes, father" said Emma, her face
gro wing more ruddy, as she became in
terested in the theme Of conversation,
"did you not ask Mr. Edmonds to drink
glass Of wine, the other noonw
Yes, my daughter, | asked him to
take just one glass"
Father" she continued, did you
not URGE him to drink, after he had told
YOU he was pledged to total abstinence p
Yes but did not mean any harm
BY it2 DO you think | could harm one
whom expect to be my son-in law, some
day ~ =
NO" said Emma, blushing slightly
at the mention Of her lover, "bnt you
should not cause him to look upon the
wine, lest some time he be tempted to
violate his pledge
WELL" replied the father, rather i'm
patiently, "wbat do you both want me to
do p
Danish wine frsm your dinner par
ties" exclaimed both the ladies, simuta'
ncously.
"Why, my dcarsr he exclaimed, :" II
is a courtesy, and customary usages,
make it almost indispensable. In fact
dinner party is not complete without
it,"
Husband, have you not the moral
courage to make war against custam
so pernicious in its influence and effects 2
"What! raise my weak voice against
a custom which is practised by on most
intimate friends p
"Ah, my dear" exclaimed the wife
and the tears ran down her beautiful
cheeks. gllstening like pearls in the sun.
shine. as the light fr~m the old fashioned
solar lamps lovingly upon her aaintly
face, "ir you had been among the poor,
as il has been my duty, you would have
had an opportunity to see some of the
prime reasons Of the squalid poverty IN
our town. In six poor families, found
that the want and suffering were occasion
ed BY habits of intcmpsrance. There is
a vast deal OF difference in the poverty
occasioned by natural causes. and that
resulting from drink. Out Of five fami
lies readered heiplessly poor by adverse
circumstances, | have only found one
that did not have some Of the deeencies
Of life around them, while, ON tho other
hand. three out Of four Of all the poor
families made 50 by rum, are surrounded
by filth, and live more like beasts than
human beings This vice Of drunken
ness degrades its votaries. and the fam
lies Of drunkards are drawn to the dis
graceful level OF their heads. My heart
has been Disguised with the terrific squal
or Of drunken poverty, and / often won
der IL some Of these poor victims OF
drink have not been started In their down
ward course at some dinner party where
they vera urged to take just one glass.
| never shall be clear and easy in con.
science till have induced you to com
mence the mo wine at dinner parties 70
form. could not be happier than by
having this much peeded reformation
commenced in our little family
And so II shall !" exclaimed the
husband. IL will do right, and let the
consequences to lake ,srs OF them
selves"
At that momenta rap was heard at
the door II was opened, and in step
ped the manly form of George Edmonds.
Hs was young, and yet q shade Of mel