Connecticut western news., 1876-12-08

cease their indulgences, I fear that pros- perity is very far off. As for myself, l can give up my wine without much self denial, but my cigars have become a necessityl .0.
 Maggie.-Oh, Charlie, don't say that It makes me shudder; not that smoking is so very distasteful to me, but your plea of necessity looks so like surren- der of manliness to the power of an evil habit.
 Charlie.-Well, to my sorrow, must confess that whenever I have attempted to break off the habit has hoored me, and have come out second best every time. ,..-..
 Maggie.-Perhaps you did not try in the right way.
 Oharlie.-f just tossed my cigar into the street, and said wouldn't use an other, and didn't until I lost my appe- Ftite, trembled all over like 8 leaf, lost my power of recollection, and really thought I would go crazy, or break down in general. collapse, then took the weed and was soon all right again.
 Maggie.-Did you crave it all that time9
 Charlie. "Crave it!" I was stark mad for it; dying for want of it.
 Maggie.-Have you never heard of a method of cure, perfectly painless, in- stantaneous, and so complete that the craving never is felt.
 Charlie,-Bosh there isn't medi- cine on earth that will do all that.
 Maggie-But suppose that number of credible witnesses testify that they have been personally cured in that way
 Oharlie.-If they are really credible witnesses, and testify to acts in their own experience, I suppose they must be believed, but I should want to cross examine them pretty closely first.
 Maggie. will not object, and, if agreeable to you, we will invite one of them, MT. B, to tea tomorrow, when you can quiz him all you like.
 Charlie.-All right; but now let us have some tea tonight, after which l will enjoy my Havana (if those terrible statistics will keep out of my head), in anticipation of the marvellous reveal ments of tomorrow.
 * * * *
 Charlie, Maggie and MT. B. seated at the table.)
 Maggie.-Have your cup filled, MT. B.2
 MT. B.-No, thank you. Since I was need of stimulants than formerly, hence rarely take more than single cup of tea.
 Charlie.-That wouldn't serve me at all. My thirst calls for a greater quan- tity than that.
 Mir. B.--Perhaps not so much thirst as the cry of suffering nerves for stimu- lants under tho depressing influence of the narcotic in your cigars.
 Charlie. ie.-Well, whatever it be, an, other cup, Maggie, please; aud now, MT. B., will you have the kindness to tell us about that wonderful cnrea
 MT. B.-With pleasure. The story is very short. had been slave to tobac co in various forms for many years. Had striven in vain to break off the habit, taken various substitutes, but judging of my condition by the impera- tiveness of the craving, was more en- thralled than ever. That thought alarmed me; then, too, I resented the implied impeachment of my manhood, and at last resolved that, cost what it might, I would sometime give up it's use. But the terrific strain of former efforts deterred me from beginning at once. While in this state, casually mentioned my purpose and dread to an old friend who had been converted not long before, and had abandoned all his bad habits together, when he surprised me beyond measure by exclaiming "Why, B., it's all useless to have any fuss about the thing. Just go to the Lord Jesus on your knees and ask Him, not merely to help you to abstain, but also to keep you from craving for it, and He'll do it know He will, for l tried it, and have never had desire for it since. Just the same with the desire for strong drink. He swept the board for me, and I've been free man ever since. Glory to His blessed name i'' The earnestness and sincerity of my friend affected me, and at once caught the inspiration of the hope. laid my tobacco quietly on the shelf in plain sight, sought place of retirement, and there on my knees asked God to take away the appetite, and believed that he would do it immediately. I felt nc change beyond consciousness of trust in Him to keep me, and returned to my seat; the sight of my tobacco kindled nc desire, and I have had none since. The victory was perfectly easy, and grandly complete.
 Charley. Well, I've left the piety oi the household pretty much to this good wife of mine, but if that's what the Lord does for those who trust Him, I'll take some stock in that concern before ii rises on the market.
 MT. B.-It is "without money and without price," salvation "unto the uttermost;" and "now is the accepted time."
 Was not Oharlie's decision, though quaintly expressed, wisely mades