The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-01-30
THE FIRST GLASS.


had often noticed when we were in
any party OF pleasure amongst our own
companions, how Cyrus Greyson
avoided liquor The merriest occa-
sion, the hottest day, or the coolest
evening, found him ever strictly tenn
perate-a cold-water man Of the most
rigid type. And yet, he made no
strong professions Of temperance. and
in his lifo there was every temptation
TO mere pleasure seeking
He was wealthy, an artist OF no mean
standing, q favorite In society, and
would have been eminently handsome.
bat for an expression OF sadness that
never left his dark eyes, q reserve that
hung over his speech on oil occasions.
But that he loved me, that we had be-
come like brothers in hve years Of close
intimate friendship, I should never
have learned the secret of his sadness
or the cause Of his strict practical tenn
perate habits.
remember well the morning when |
no came into my studio quite early, 10 |
find mo lying upon lounge, nursing q |
splitting headache instead Of finishing |
the picture upon my easel.
company or great occasion tn lead me |
into drinking, but my headache that
day was most certainly to be attribut-
ed to a free flow Of champagne ON the |
previous evening. and Cyrus knew it.
He made no comment, passed around |
the room little, and then sitting near
me. he said, in voice that, to me,
proved that he had nerved himself to |
some great effort:
"will, old fellow, am going to
make you my father confessor, 10 tell
you the story OF my life."
His face was so deadly pale. and his
whole appearance so shocked me, that
] cried:
"Not il il troubles you 10 tell it. Cyl"
Never mind that. want to tell il.
You will respect my secret, Will,
know: was u boy Ave years old.
thinB, 4 when nay father suddenly dis
appeared from home. cannot tell you
what his business had been, never
knew, bnt We had always lived in ccm.
fort, aud my vague memory OF father
recalls only kindness and love for my |
mother and myself, the only child.
after he left ms. my mother sank
into q most despairing sorrow. weep
ing convulsively at all times, often
praying fervently, wasting away 70 a
mere shadow OF herself. She was ABB
sent from home q great deal, and my
grandmother came TO care for me.
They would be gone for hours ut time
On alternate days, always coming home
weeping and prostrated by sorrow.
cannot tell how long this lasted, but
one day they went out together, were
gone till late at night, leaving me with |
the servant. When they came home |
mother was carried into the house in- !
sensible, and my grandmother seemed
scarcely moro conscious. All night, |
from my little crib, could hear them |
sobbing and praying in what, even my |
childish comprehension told me. was |
the extreme agony Of despair and grief.
The next day my father was brought !
home dead in his coffin, and I kissed
him for the last time
'I remember n long .-illness Of my |
mothers, and her death. Then We |
travelled, grandmother and i, n long, |
long distance 10 new city.
''Here / was sent to school, and for |
the first time heard myself called by |
the name now bear, Cyrus ureyson. !
/ questioned my grandmother about |
this, remembering my mother had nj !
WAYS called mo her darling Freddy,
but sho said, sadly, / must try 10 for
get my old life, my old name. and |
something in her white face and hush
cd voice compelled my swed snbmis-
siou.
These are my childish impressions OF
sorrow, soon forgotten in my happy !
life. For in spite OF the unalterable
sadness OF my grandmother face, i
was very happy. Nv home was very
pleasant, with every comfort wealth
could give, and j was allowed all child |
like indulgences. while my restraints
were only judicious and kindly ones.
/ went TO good schools, and when i
wished to be an artist, every advantage
Of study and travel was given 10 me.
till, at twenty-one. was legally put
into possession of my fathers share OF
my grandfather's property, and iearn-
ed"
Here Cyrus paused. great beads OF
perspiration standing on his face, but
after n momentary struggle, he said:
"The night before / came OF age,
Will. some Of my friends were in my
studio, and We sent for champagne 10
celebrate my birthday. l had. many
years before, promised my grandmoth.
er never TO touch liquor, bat carried
away by my companions urging and
example, took, on that night, my first
glass. Before the party broke up i
was intoxicated, for the only time in
my life. I have dim recollection OF
my grandmother's cry Of horror, as 1
reeled upstairs, after my friends left
roe, and nv only pang OF shame as
heard il. but slept heavily, and awoke
late next day.
II expected reproof and lecture
when / went to my grandmother's
room, but she did not speak one word
referring to my condition the previous
night
"Cyrns," she said, sadly, "before
you go 10 the lawyers / wish You to
read some papers have here
old newspapers they were, dated
sixteen years before, and the columns
intended for my reading were heavily
marked in pencil. My grandmother
left Ine alone, and l read all she had
marked. IL was the history of muir
der committed in the heat Of passion.
and while the murderer was under the
effect of strong drink. He was de-
scribed as a handsome man, under
thirty years Of age, OF talent and prom.
ise aud not addicted TO liquor. Al
some festive gathering he had been led
into iDtoxication, and while crazy with
drink had become involved in q quar-
rel. striking his opponent with a poker
killing him instantly.
81 read every word Of the long trial,
where the best talent Of tho country de-
/ Tended the criminal, where money was
freely spent. and every effort made TO
save the guilty man. read the APP
peals to the governor for pardon, after
he was convicted and sentenced, pray
ing for pity in consideration Of his
youth. his previous good conduct. his
position aud his family. read his
own letter, pleading his bewildered
brain NJ the time he struck the fatal
blow, aud the entire absence Of any in-
tent 10 kill the man who had been sn
utter stranger IN him two hours before
he lay dead al his feet. / read the