The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-04-21
The Old Mans Story.

Nv N'' "~'Ah ~ ~ Va
age. Our home had every comfort, and
my pareuts idolized me. Wine was Of
ten on the table. and both my father
and mother frequently gave it to mo in
the bottom OF the glass. On Sunday ut
church there WINS Il startling announce
mdnt made to our people. I knew
nothing ofits import, but there was
whispering among the men. The pas
tor said that on the next evening there
would be II temperance meeting. and m
address upon the evils OF intemperance
in the use of alcoholic drinks. He OK.
pressed himself Ignorant ofthe meeting,
and could not say what course would he
best to pursue. The subject of the
meeting came up ut the table after the
service, and | questioned my father about
it with ali the curious cagerness of Il
child. The whisper and words which
had been dropped in my hearing clothed
the whole affair IN great mystery to me.
and ! was all eagerncss to learn this
same strange thing. My father said it
was some scheme to unite Church and
State.
The night came. and troops of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and |
heard the jest and laugh, and saw drunk
en- men Keeling of the bar room.
urgel my father to let me go. but he
refused. Finally, thinking it would he
IN innocent qualification of my curios-
ity, he put on his hat acd passed across
the green to the church. | remember
well how all the people appeared as
they came in, seeming to wonder what
kind OF an exhibition was to come of.
In the corner was the tavern-keeper, and
around him II number of friends. For
an hour the people of the place contin-
ued coming in, until there was q house
fall. All were %curiously watching the
door wondering what would appear
next. The pastor stole in and took his
seat behind II pillar under the gallery,
as il doubtful OF the propriety Of being
there ut all. Two men finally came in
and took their seats nea the altar. All
eyes were fixed upon them, and q.
general stiffness pcrvaded the house.
The men were unlike in appearance.
one being short and thick in build, the
other tall and well formed. The young
or had the manner and dress of Il cler-
Gyman, Il iull round face, and quiet.
good natured look, rs he leisurely looked
;rround the audience. But my childish
interest was all in the old man with his
broad, deep chest and unusual height I:
looking giant-like. as he strobe up the
aisle. His hair was white, his brow
deeply scanned with burrows, and IL
round his handsome mouth lines of calm
and touching sadness. His eyes were
black and restless, and kindled as the
tavern keeper uttered Il low Jest aloud.
His lips compressed. and Il crimson
flush came and went over his pale cheek.
One arm was off above the elbow, and
there was n wild scar over his right eye.
The younger arose and stated the object
of the meeting, and asked il there was
a clergyman present to open with
PRAYER.
Our pastor kept his seat. and the
speaker himself made a short PRAYER
and then made Il short address, ut the
conclusion calling upon anyone present
To make remarks. The pastor arose un-
der the gallery and attacked the position
of the speaker, using the argument |
have often heard since, and concluded
by ~denouncing those engaged in the
new movement as meddlesome fanatics
who wished to bar up the tim%e-honored
usagcs of good society, and injure the
business of respectable men. At the
conclusion Of his remarks, the tavern
keeper and his friends got up II cheer,
and the current of feeling was evidently
against the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking the old
man had fixed his dark eyes upon him,
and leaned forward rs if to catch every
word. Az the pastor took his seat the
old man arose, his tall form towering in
its symmetry. and his chest swelling rs
he inhaled his breath through his thin,
delicate nOstrils. To me at the time
there was something awe-inspiring and
grand in the appearance Of the old man
as he stood with his full gaze upon the
audience, his teeth shut hard, and a ST.
lcnce like that of death Throughout the
church, He bent his eye upon the tav.
ern keeper, and that peculiar eye lin
gered and kindlcd for half Il moment.
The scar grew red upon his forehead,
and beneath the heavy eyebrows his
eyes glittered and glowed like those ofa
serpent. The tavern keeper quailed
before the searching glance, and l fel,
n relief when the old man Withdrew his
gaze. For a moment he seemed lost in
thought, and then in Il low and tremu-
lous toni COMMENCED. There was a
depth in the voice, a thrilling pathos and
sweetness, which riveted every heart in
the house before the first period had
sounded. My fathers attention had
become fixed on the speaker with an in
terest which / never before seen him ex.
hibit.
can but briefly remember the sub.
stance of what the old man said, though
the scene was vivid before me as any
that | ever witnessed.
MY friends. l am a stranger in youl