Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-09-27

you can't object to that. Taste, and
give me your opinion of it. say it
is the best wine that ever was made.
Henry drank not only the first, but
more and more, until his good resolve
was forgotten and he staggered to his
room. The next morning he awoke
with "a binding headache and guilty
conscience.
4 cannot see Ruth to-day he said,
nor sign the pledge while last nights
indulg gence is so near, but in a few
days, when this has passed by, we will
be good friends once more and l will
not drink again.
Had he gone at that moment, con-
fessed his fault, and pledged himself
to abstain thereafter, he might have
been saved but he listened again to
the voice of the the tempter, and fell,
and the drunkard's seal was upon
him. A few months after he had
heard Ruth Ward farewell, he fled
from his native town, determined to
change his course, and be again a
man. A thousand times he thought
Of her warning, and "a thousand times
resolved to drink no more but every
time his resolution was broken, and
at last, disgraced and despised, he
fled no one knew whittier but himself.
The twenty thousand dollars which
were his six months before were all
gone his dress was shabby, his eyes
blood shot, aud his form emaciated.- -
From the car window he looked anx.
iously at every station, not kno wing
where or vixen to stop. At last he
spiel in the distance beautiful vii.
lage, made Of snow white cottages,
shaped with huge elms and poplars.-
1t looked so quiet, and peaceful, and
inviting. that when the train stopped
at the station he alighted and gazel
with a wistful, hungry look at the
shady streets and quiet homes.
How happy he might have been
now, if he had listened to the words
Of Ruth Ward. 1t was the month
which had been appointed for their
marriage, and with how much antici,
pated happiness had he looked for
ward to it. lie was weak, and hum
cry, and heart sick, and he leaned
against pile Of toxes near him and
groanea in agony of spirit. A man
touched him on the arm.
Look here, stranger, he said 'you
look faint Come around the corner
here, and get glass of whiskey.'
He started at those words; his
thirst was maddenning, and he was
about to follow the man directions,
when another man, tall, gentlemanlY
and kind, said in low earnes: tone !:
Stranger, | see you are unhappy !;
but whlskey will not hel p you.
Help me screamed Henry, look
ing at the man wildly; it has already
been my ruin; but what can do p
| am tempted on every side. have
no work, no home. no friends.
i am the friend Of just such as
you, said the man, in soft fatherly
tone.
Henry looked up in surprise, and
there Was CLEAN of hope in his face.
The kind man drew his arm with
in his own.
Come with me- he said. away f ON
these dens of murder and destruction
and will give you every inducement
to reform. | read your history in
your face, and | know the whole sto-
ry from my own experience, for once
! was drunkard, and was tempted
alike as you are but kind heart
cheered me, kind hand led me into
better path, and it is my greatest
desire to help all those who have fall
len into temptation.
Henry had indeed found a friend
He was soon at work, and had joined
a lodge Of good templars, in the vii
lage, and his superior education, his
refined manners, and uncommon abil-
ity, soon raised him to a high position
Mr.. Ives, the gentleman who had
befriended him, was merchant, and
Henry was employed as clerk in the
store. He kept this position but a
short time, however, for his abilities
were discovered, and the position Of
head bookkeeper was given him
Months passed on, and he became the
handsome, elegant gentle nan he was
before the wine cup maddened him,
and many young girl felt the blood
rushing to her face when she heard
his step or felt the clasp Of his hand,
but Henry lad net forgotten the
black eyed girl who had so firmly re-
fused his attentions, and his highest
ambition and hope were to make
himself worthy Of her love, and then
seek her out and make her his wife.
Several years passed away, and at
last a great temperance convention
called him to his native place. His
eloquence as a speaker had been dis
covered, and he had often addressed
meetings on the subject of temperance,
hoping thereby to save some soul from
destruction. The evening appointed
for him to address the convention was
very fair, and the attendance was ex-
ceedingIy large. Tall, graceful and