The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-07-01
Why Charlie Selwyn Signed
the Pledge.
BY MRS, NJ. PARKER WOOD.

BY MRS. NJ. PARKER WOOD.
And so.Charlie, you ask me, do YOU"
said Uncle Robert, pausing in his walk
up and down the room. why am So
anxious to have you sign the temperance
pledge p
II do"
when l have told you City times that
| consider it young mans only safety"
ayes, Uncle Robert: bnt what are
your reasons fos believing that ? You
never saw me in the least degree under
the influence OF liquor you know that |
don't particularly care for it ; but it does
look mean when young man is out with
his friends, never to treat, and it also
renders him very awkward and noticeable
at an evening party to refuse social
glass of light wine."
Charlie Selwyn was the only sou of 4
deceased friend Of Uncle Roberts, and
Uncle Robert, kindly bachelor, had
been bis guardian and almost father since
the age of ten. Now he was nearing
manhood, and on this, the eve before bis
twenty.frst birthday, Uncle Robert again
approached him on the subject of TEN.
perance. anxious that he should start
Alright in ,nanhood's path.
"If you sign the pledge, Charlie. you
are surely safe" And Uncle Robert
patted the young mans head us affection.
ately and caressingly as he would have
done ten years previous.
"Yes, Uncle Robert, grant that bat
where is my manhood if cannot depend
upon it to carry me through the world
Alright ? Where are my principles if |
cannot restrain myself when I am in
danger ?"
But, Charlie, my boy, the descent is
so gradual that you may not realize your
danger until the habit has a strong hold
upon you, until, nay be, your prospects
for life are blighted."
am never wifully blind. uncle"
Slowly Uncle Robert crossed the room
and turning the key in his private score.
tary, also unlocked an inner drawer from
which he took out small box. and draw.
ing chair in front Of the table, sat down
by Charles side. With trembling fug.
ers he loosed the cord that bound the
box, saying: These are sorrowful me.
mentos !" then taking from it daguor.
reotype, said, as he handed it to Charlie
Selwyn, at is old and faded but tell me
what characteristics you see III the face +"
"Intellect first," was the reply after
a careful examination, "sensitiveness and
pride"
"Yes. He was dear college mate Of
mine, young man of uncommon mental
endowmerts. He acquired the habit,
when lessons pressed too heavily, of taking
a glass Of champagne Just to liyen him
up as he said He wrote several brill.
liant articles for one of our leading week.
ly papers, and found glass OF wine just
exhilarating enough to enable him to ex.
press his ideas in glowing language. But
the habit grew upon him, and before the
end Of our college life his customary
preparation for evening study was glass
of wine, supplemented, not unfrequen,ly.
by another in the course of tue evening.
He left college to take leading place on
the paper for which he had regularly
contributed. Anxious to discharge bis
duties to the best OF his ability as the
political campaign came on. he depended
more and more upon stimulants. and. be.
fore be was aware Of the fact. the habit
had become so fixed that be could not
break loose from it, lie lost his si.ua.
tioo' for he could no longer be depended
upon. Friends greeted him coldly and
reproachfully, and, 10 a fit of despair fol.
lowing deep indulgence, suicide ended
his life. Look at that forehead, Charlie;
well might one envy the mans intellect -
Replacing the picture 10 the box. In.
Gle Robert brought forth soiled slip Of
paper. and unfolding it. said This was
brought to me one evening some fifteen
years ago by shivcripg, taltered lad
1t reads thus
For the sake of boyhood days, Robert
Weldon, will you follow this child to the
miseT able hovel where lies poor, be
sotted wretch 7 EDWARD KNEELAN."
followed The lad, and during the
long hours Of that ever to to.be.remembered
night, | watched by the sick mans bed
and he related to me his painful history
ln the wan, haggard face OF the death
stricken man before me. never should
have recognized the playmate aud friend
of my childhood and youth He, Charlie
was like you-thought his principle
wcald check him, il he should ever be
10 any danger Of excess he thought
signing the pledge Was confessing his 10
ability to rule himself and he lacked the
moral courage to render himself notice
able by refusing the social glass liz
married quite early in life, and the first
winter was but succession Of gay fes
iiviiies. At the wedding feast wine
flowed freely, and before the winter wa,
ended once, twice, and even thrice va.
he brought TO his home in helpless con
diIoo and yet be would not yield hir
manhood by signing the pledge. though
his fair young wife and other friends be
sought him to. In course of time
daughter was given to him. and for {
time the helpless charge led him in tn,
path of rectitude. But he did not lik,
to look mean so friends we're treated
and, alas the appetite got the better o
him. 1t is loog and sad tale. Charlie
Neglect, lack of food, and abuse caused
the death of the child and also that o
the wife, but not until after she haC
brcaght into the world two sons, one o
| Hhnm Xaa tha 1refnhed maaaenaar tha