The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-02-03
"NOT A DROP MORE, DANIEL. p


drunkard. So fully had he come under
the dominion of the bottle, that he was
perfectly miserable when he could net
obtain the means of gratifying his thirst
He had neglected his family until his
wife's father had taken her and the chill
dren to the paterDal roof He had spent
all his substance in drink and was kept
from the poer-house only by performing
menial services for his food and by the
kindness of Thomas Edgarton, member
of the Society of Friends, who had known
him from his youth, and who had a
strong hope that, in the course of time,
he would see his folly and turn again in
to the right path.
Hoskins, the leading liquor seller of
the place, had let him have drink so long
as his money lasted, but would trust him
10 longer. He was lounging about the
saloon one bright moonlight evening,
pleading with the keeper to trust him
for drink. His reply was sharp and
unfeeling:
"Not drop more, DanielW
He remained while longer and then
left. As the cool air of the evening fell
upon him he, ali at once, gave utteranee
to his feelings in the following strain:
"Not drop more, Daniel Am l
drunk or am sober? am sober. Not
drop more, Daniel Did Hoskins think
a drop would hurt me? No; but my
money was gone. He has got all; got
everything l had-even the Bible my
mother gave me. He has got the boots
which my wife, with her own earnings,
bought for Jennie. Not drop more,
Dahiel.' Daniel, what say you to that
l say so, too. once had good clothes,
but now have nothing but rags. Not
drop more, Daniel till 1 have clothes
again as good as when Mary and l were
married. l once had good watch, but
that, too, is gone! Not drop more,
Daniel till have horse and buggy as
good as 1 once had. l once had COWS
that furnished my family..with butter and
cheese, but Hoskins has got them. Not
drop more, Daniel till those cows, OF
Others as good, are mine again. l once
had this wallet full of bills; but now not
a cent have l got. Not drop more,
Daniel till this wallet is well filled
again."
By this time he had reached the place
where he formerly resided, and leaning
up against the fence, he unused long
time in silence. He viewed the desolate
place by the light of the moon, and his
eyes ranged over the house and farm,
once his own. He then said to himself ::
"Once l owned this house and farm
Here was born. Here my father and
mother died. 1 was the pride of theil
hearts; but brought down their gray
hairs with sorrow to the grave! Here
began my married life, and all thai
heart could wish was mine. Here Mary
and took comfort together till Hoskin
came and opened his rum-shop, and nov
he calls it his. In that south room m!
children were born, and there my jennie
died. y, how sorrowful she looked whel
she saw me take her boots and start fo
the store to pawn them for rum, Will
she lay sick upon the bed. And then
how she begged me never to strike he
mother again! l can see her now-he
pale face, her wasted form: but she ca
not come to me again. And o, my wife
how shamefulIy l abused her! 1t wa
not your Daniel that did it. No, it wa
Hoskins' accursed rum! No wonder yo
was taken away from me by those VIII
loved you and would not see you abused
They won't have me in the house; the
wont let me live with you. Not dro
more, Daniel till this house is min
again. Not a drop more, Daniel ii
these broad acres are again in my pos
session and my wife and children tha
are living are in yonder rooms and "
. are happy family once more. Not
drop more, Daniel Help me, my Coz
till all these things are accomplished!
thank you, Hoskins, for these words.
shall not forget them"
He had become so much occupied wit
+ his thoughts and spoken in tone so lou,
/ that he had not noticed the wagon whic
had reached the road, in which W;
seated the kind-hearted Quaker be!o
mentioned. He stopped his horse al
heard distinctly the language DAM
D used. As he closed his soliIoquy,
J, turned and saw Thomas Edgerton, wi
! said:
Daniel, does thee mean to keep tt
a vow?"
q eyes, friend Edgerton, I do"
U "Thee has promised a great mai
r times thee'd drink no more. VIII
n makes thee think thee will keep thy vC
= this time?'
e "Iknow, friend Edgerton, l have oft
, vowed l would drink no more. But nj
!. feel different from what l ever felt
81 fore; my heart is almost broken and
E. 'e, my weakness; and believe God W
Is help me this time"
N God grant tLat it may be so. DAM
10 get in and take at. Thee must
10 hungry; 90 home with me-"
" On the way the Quaker drew out
oI him all that has been written, and he
&c vised him TO go TO California. He t
er him 10 60 TO New York and work
way round the Cape. He decided to