The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-27
mot A DROP MORE, DANIEL. Z"
A Temperance Story

A Temperance Story.
Daniel Aiken had become confirmed
drankard. SO fully had he become under
the dominion of the bottle that he was per-
fectly miserable when he could not OBJ
tain the means of gratifying his thirst He
bad neglected his family till his wifes
father had taken her aud the children to
the paternal root. He had spent all his
substance in drink, and was kept from the
poor house only by performing menial SER
vices Tor his food aud by the kindness of
Thomas Edgcrton, member of the Society
of Friends, who had known him from his
youth, and who had strong hope that in the
course of time he would see his folly and
turn again into the right path
Hoskins, the leading liquor seller of the
place, had let him have drink so long as
his money lasted but he would trust him
no longer. He was lounging about the
saloon one bright moonlight evening, plead
Jog with the Keeper to trust him for a
drink. His reply wac sharp and unfeeling
"Not drop more, Daniel"
He remained awhile longer, and then
left. AS the cool air of the evening fell
upon HIM he all at once gave utterance to
his feelings in the following strains:
"Not drop more. Daniel. Am drunk
or am | sober 'Not drop more, Daniel.
Did Hoskins think drop would hurt me ?
No; but my money was gone. He had got
all I; got everything | hsd-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,
Daniel"-what do you say to that? / say
so, too, Cnce had good clothes, but now
l have nothing but rags. "Not a drop
more, Daniel" till have clothes again as
good as when Mary and l were married. I
once had a good watch but that, too, is
aone "Not drop more, Daniel" till l
have another as good. l once had COWS
that furnished my family with butter and
cheese, but Hoskns has them. "Not drop
more, Daniel" TIL these COWS, or others as
good, are mine again. | once had this
wallet full of bills; but now not cent
have got. Not drop more, Daniel, till
this wallet is well filed again"
BY this time be had reached the place
where he formerly resided, and leaning up
against the fence, he mused long time
in silence. He viewed the desol ate place
by the light of the moon, and his eyes
ranged over the house and farm, once his
own. He then said to himself
.'Onoe | owned this house and farm.
mother died. | was the pride of their
hearts; but brought down their gray hairs
with sorrow to the grave Here | began
my married life, and all that heart could
wish was mine. Here Mary and | took
comfort together until Hoskins came and
his store, aud now be calls it his. In that
south room my children were born, and
there my Jennie died. o, how sorrowful
she looked when she me take her boots and
start for the store to pawn them for rum,
while she lay sick upon the bed. And then
how she begged me never to strike her
mother again | can see her now--her pal.
face, her wasted form; but she cannot
come to me again. AID o, my wife, how
shamefully abused her II was not you.
Daniel. that did it, No, it was Hotkips'
accursed rum No wonder you were taken
from me by those who loved you and would
not see you abused. They won't have me
in the house nor let me live with you. Not
a drop more Daniel till this house is mine
again. Not drop more, Daniel, Til these
broad acres are again in my possession. and
the wife and children are living in yonder
rooms, and we are happy family once
more, Not drop more Danitl' Help me,
my God, TIL all these things are accom-
plished | thank you, Hosklns, for these
words. shall not forget them"
He had become SO much occupied with
his thoughts, and spoken in tone so
loud, that he had not noticed the wagon
which had reached the road IN which was
seated the knd-hesrted Quaker before
mentioned. lie stopped his horse and
heard distinctly the language Daniel used
AS he closed his sollloqny he turned and
saw Thomas Edgerton, who said:
xtal hoo. 70. htr
vow ?"
~ es, friend Edgerton, do"
"Thee has promised great many times
theed drink no more. What makes thee
think thee will keep thy vow this time ?"
Il know, friend Edgerton, have often
vowed l would not drink. But now feel
different from what have ever felt before;
my heart is almost broken and l feel my
weakness and | believe God will help me
this time"
"God grant that it may be so Daniel,
get in and take seat. Thee must be hum
CRY will thee go home with me ?"
On the way the Quaker drew out of him
what has been written, and he advised him
TO 90 to California. He told him TO go to
New York, and work his way around the
Cape. He decided to do so.
The Quaker kindly offered to furnish HIM
with suitable clothing.
"Thee would like to see thy wife and
children before thee goes p
~ shouldn't they have become so es-
tranged from me; if went perhaps they
would not believe me. | think it better
they should not know where am. want
10 surprise them and hope to do SO by COM
ing back sober man, and with money
enough TO make them comfortable. | pre-
fer that you and your wife should be the
only persons in the place who shall know
where am or what am doing"
Thus, while ri ing toward the quiet farm
house of the Quaker, the whole thing was
arranged. When they reached the farm the
horse was put IN the stable, and they en-
tered the house. As they seated them
selves by the inviting FIRE, the Quaker said
to his wife
Amy, thee can put on another plate;
Daniel will stop with US few days, and
than he is going to California. The good
Quaker felt confident that Daniel would
keep his word this time. At the end Of a
few days everything was In readiness.