The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-10-11

mining my health and using up my
nerves. lived upon my tea. l loved
it and must haye il, and the tempting
draught being swallowed. Richard
was himself again" When | felt the
least WEAKNESS stealing over me, an
other cup was ordered. Did my head
ache little; l took another cup to
ward off a serious attack. Did L no.
tice the least indigestion another cup
was brought i'll. 1t was my sovereign
remedy for all ills poor flesh is hell
to. felt the thraldom Of the chains
which l had forged for myself, bu'
then enjoyed the vim and vigor II
bestowed. l felt l had much to ac-
complish in many directions. and able
to achieve success in any underi aking
under its stimulating influence. Bu'
the time was close at hand, after sey
eral years of this kind of dissipation.
when the grand shaitering of the tenn
pie, supported by frail and precarious
pillars, must surely come.
$50 tired" just esraped nv lips, as ]
was going to my room for the night.
and falling, all unconscious, save OF
agony, was borne by kind, familiar
arms, to my own couch, where | lay,
with whirling brain and sinking
breath, till the "wee sma' hours" OF
morning, with no feeling save OF sui
location, of stifled breath, and general
misery. This night of suspense to III,
anxious, watching friends. dragged
slowly by. The family physician piled
all his arts 10 save. The morning
found me all weak and exhausted, and
what was more alarming, completed,
benumbed. paralyzed from head to
foot, but brain quite too active not tc
appreciate the danger of my situation
Walk or stand, of course l could no,
yet l WAS determined not to be
crippled. The will that urged me OH
in health came to my rescue in sick
ness. For twelve long weeks l Ia,
between hope and fear. yet resolved
TO overcome and recover. That will
aud spirit seemed to save me. grad
ually felt the nerves return to .ihcii
original sensitiveness, and at last
was able to walk again. l was '.or
my feet" again. But there was the
tea-the long loved lucious cup!-
Should risk again such fearful bond
age as this accursed tyrant? Should
I yield again, and again become
slave? Could l play with fire and nos
be burned? My physician had as
crlbed to it all my suferings and all
ments for these long three mon'hs
aud should now indulge again?
Not unmindful of the self-denial il
would cost me. resolved to give ii
up, at once, wholly. and forever. | |
had suffered enough from its power. ! |
would be free. Henccforth not drop
of tea, pledged myself The same
will and determination that brought, /
me off a sick bed has carried me safely
through all temptations to this hour.
More than four years naye passed. bu;
not one drop has ever touched my
lips.
But l little dreamed of the web |
was weaving when l made the deci-
sion /; the self sacrifice I was to endure
md the perfectly painful efforts must
endure before l would be free, indeed.
rom the cup of tea, "to master it or
nave it master me-" as Cough quaint
y puts it for the poor inebriate. In
he cold winter days longed for it to
warm my blood and invigorate me
and in the sultry, summer
lays, when l felt languid and wealy,
o drive dull ennui away.
l have lived through the struggle. l
lesire it no longer. My health and
rim are genuine and firm, and if these
ines fall under the notice of any who
ire so foolishly addicted to excessive
ca drinking, we cordially bid and en-
courage them to go and do likewise,
md by taking only the tea of Mother
Eve find in it health and strength, and
cap rich reward.