Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-12-29
are diving out as the body perishes,

ing are dying out as the body perishes.
At length Mr.. Vanderlain called Arthu r
into his private office, and told him that
he was going to suspend business.
81 nave money enough" said Mr.. Van
derlain, s'and I know that my close appli-
cation to business is wearing upon mel
I'M growing in years and need rest. I
think of going to Europe"
tAnd of closing up your business ?"
"Yes."
but, sir, there is no need of that. If
YOU will trust your bank under the guild
ance of some capable and responsible agent
with your name at its head, it might go
prosperously on, and you could go away on
your trip at will
A cloud came upon the bankers face
and he shook his head.
1T is too late" he SAID. "Some time I
will tell you more"
Shortly after this, in process of closing
up his business, Mr.. Vanderlain sent Ar
thu to a distant city to make some impor-
ant settlements. Arriving at his destina-
ton, the young man called upon the cor
respondent of the bank and having made
preliminary arrangements, he found him
self with a few days upon his hands which
he might pass in pleasure. On the very
evening of his arrival, he had fallen in with
John Hatton and William Roberts, Two
classmates Of earlier years. He was start
led when he saw them. They were evident
ly going down hill-were drinking to ex-
cess. Yet they were gentlemen, and Arthur
Joined them. He spent a first and a second
night. and for the first time in his life, Ar
thu Gravely drank to a state of helpless
stupefaction. He aWoke on the next day
feeling sad and Inundated. When he met
his companions in a private parlor connect
ed with their sleeping apartments, he found
them with a bow of hot brandy between
them. A spirit Of true friendllneSS came
upon him when he saw the marks Of the
destroyer so deeply fixed upon the compan-
ions of his bcyhood.
'Boys," said he, that won't do. You
are going down."
They regarded him c%uriously, and asked
him what he meant.
s'You forget, old boy" said Hatton,
"that you are in the same boat. If we took
passage before you, it is no less sure that
our route now is the same. Don't preach,
Arthur. Try a bit of hot brandy"
There are moments in a lifetlme-great
crises when the events of the past flash be-
fore the mind as upon a magic mirror
when a man. in a brief instant. recalls
every salient point of his early career.
Such a moment was the present to Arthur
Gravely.
LET it alone" he said solemnly. 81 tell
you, Jack, and you. Will, that you are go
ing down. You can't last much longer at
this rate"
WELL" retorted Roberts, with an at
tempt to laugh, lit appears to me that
what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the
gander. Hadn't you better try to let it
alone yourself ?"
If / will try it, will you try it ?" he
asked.
Twill you try it ?" demanded Hatton.
II will if you will join me-"
"Done!"
And they did it. They joined hands and
promised one another that they would be
True and steadfast.
A new surprise was in store for Arthur
Gravely. He found that upon cutting off
his spirituous liquors that his body weak
ened, and that his hands shook as with
palsy. He applied to a physician for help.
Fortunately he applied to a man of sense
and understanding.
sCan you give me something to steady
my nerves and restore my appetite pr
Arthur asked, after he had frankly stated
his case.
sHThis shows you. my dear sir" said the
physician, Into what a dangerous state
you had fallen. l a give you something
to steady your nerves, but it would not
hely you in the end. If you will be brave
and true, YOU will come all right in a few
days."
Arthur said he should not go back
He wanted no stimulant-no more Of
that.
The trial was a severe one, and it may
have been a blessed thing for Arthur
Gravely that il was so. He felt more
heroism in the conquest, and he saw more
clearly how deeply the evil habit had be-
come fixed upon him. On the morning OF
the fourth day Of his trial he awoke with
an appetite for food. He was a new man
from that time forth. The physician had
given him certain hygienic directions
which he followed implicitly, and thus he
held fast upon his health as it came back
to him.
And on the fourth day Arthur saw Hat
ton and Roberts. They had kept the faith,
and had been Unexpectedly prospered. An
excellent opening in business had been
| presented and accepted.
On the fifth day the business which
| brought Gravely from his home, was con-
cluded, and he set out on his return. And
! the last struggle had passed. His nerves
| had become steady, his appetite had started
| as if by magic, his cheeks had grown fair,
| and the white of his eye was growing clear
dtlu ptdiIy GSdlu.
He reached his own city in the morning,
| and went first to the bank and gave in a
return of his business. MIR. Vanderlain had
glanced quickly and eagerly into his face
when be entered, Inc a WOndrOuS change
came on the bankers manner as the bust
ness proceeded. Something outside the
business in land was evidently on his mind
Arthur did not reach his home till time
for dinner, but he had sent a boy from the
bank with the word that he should be
there,
Fanny ]"
DARLING! o, I'm so glad to see you
back"
Something made the wife even happier
than she mad thought as she rested within
her husbands embrace; but in the sudden
ioy she could not see it-she could only
feel a great warmth, like the glow OF
Heaven. as Arthur's kiss came, sweet anC
pure to her lips.
AS they entered the dining-room, Ar
thur saw the decanter of wine near his
plate.
Take it away, Fanny" he said smiling
eff YOU want il hereafter for a medicine,
keep it. For myself [ shall not want it"
Not want it-Arthur 2"
81 have done with it forever !"
He spoke solemnly, with a manliness that
was strong and reliant.
And the wife saw whence had come the
great warmth in her heart, saw it in the
pure cheek, in the clear eye, as she had
caught it in the pure breath.
"Arthur-~my husband" she fondly
whispered, as though hardly daring tc
trust her own senses, lis it true?-do you
p,oop-foravprpD