Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-09-01


Ies, meet them everywhere;
But at home amongst my flowers,
Stands baby's empty chair,
.sNOT A DROP MORE, DANIEL"
Daniel Akin had become a confirmed
drunkard. So fully had he come under
the dominion of the bottle, that he was
perfectly miserable when he COULD mol
obtain the means of gratifying his thirst
He had neglected his family till his
wife's father had taken her and her chill
dren. To tie paternal roof He had spent
all his substance In drink, and was kept
from the poor house only by performing
mental services for his food, and by the
kindness Of Thomas Edgert0n, member
Of the Society of; Friends, who had
known him from his youth, and who
had . strong hope that, in the course OF
I 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 would trust him
no longer, He was lounging about the
saloon one bright moonlight evening
pleading with the keeper to trust him
for drink. His reply was sharp and
mot I drop more, DanielI"
He remained while longer, and then
LETT. AS the cool air OF the evening fell
upon him, he, all ut once, gave ntterance
to his feelings in the following strain:
".Not drop more, Daniel Am
drunk or am sober? l am sober. Not
q drop more, Daniel Did Hoskins think
a drop would hurt me? No; but my
money was gone. He has get all-gOt
everything i had: even the bible my
mother gave me. He has got the boots
which my wife, with her own earnings
bought for Jennie. Not a drop more
Daniel Daniel, what say you to that
say so too. l once had good clothes
but now have nothing but rags MOI
"a drop more, Daniel till L have clothe:
again as good rs when Mary and wer,
INA; ricd. once had gUOd watch; but
that, too, is gone SHOT a drop more
Daniel Till 1 shave another rs good as
the one pawned TO Hoskins for drink
l have seen the day when L had a gOOl
horse and buggy, and could ride into
town i'm as good style as any man i'm the
place. lsNOt drop more, Daniel till
have another horse and buggy as good "a
lOnce had once had COWS that fur
nished my family with butter and cheese
but HOskins has got them. Not DROP
more, Daniel till those cows, or other.
as good, are mine again. 1 once had this
wallet full OF bills; but now not cent
have got. Not a drop more, Daniel,
till this wallet is well filed again.
By this time be had reached the plIce
where he formerly resided. and leaning
up against the fence, he unused Il long
time i'm silence. He viewed the desOlate
place by The light of the moon, and his
eyes ranged over The house and farm
once his own. He then said to himself
"Once l owned this house ard farm
Here was born. Here my father and
mother died. IL 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 till Hoskins came
and opened his rum shop, and now he
calls it his. In that south room my
children were born, and there my Je: y
died. O. how sorrowful she looked
when she saw 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 for me never te
strike her mother again. l can see bel
uOw-her pale face, her wasted form
but she cannot come to me again. Ant
o, my wife, how shamefully abused
her! II was not your Daniel that die
it. No, it was Hoskins' accursed rum
No wonder you were taken from me by
those who loved you, and would not sex
you abused. They won't have me In thu
house. They won't Lee me live with you
Not drop more, Daniel till this house
is mine again. Not drop more, Dan
iel,' ill these broad acres are, again in
my possessions. and the wife and children
that are living are In yonder rooms, and
we are happy family once more. Not
drop more, Daniel Help me, my
God, till all these things are accomplish
ed! 1 thank you, HOskins, tor these
words. shall not forget them"
He had become 50 much occupied witt
his thoughts, and spoken in tone 81
loud, that he had not noticed the wagon
which by this time had reached the road
In which was seated the kind hearted
Quaker before mentioned. He stopped
his horse, and heard distinctly the Ian
guage Daniel used. As he closed his so
iiloquy he turned and saw Thomas Ed.
gerton, who said:
sDaniel, does thee mean to keep thy
VOW" a
ayes, friend Edgerton, do.'
"Ihee has promised q great many
times thee'd drink no more. What make.
thee think thee will keep thy VOW thii
timer" ,A.l.bs 1874 .a
II know, friend Edgerton, I have often
vowed would drink no more. But
now feel different from what have
felt before; my heart Is almost broken
and / feel my weakness and believe
God will help me this time. ts
God grant that it may be so. Dan
lei, get In and take seat. Thee must
De hungry; 90 home with me-"
On the way the Quaker drew out Of
MN al mat has been written, and ne
ADVISED him to go to California. lie
told MIN 10 60 to New York, and work
bis way round the Cape. He decided to
10 so. Inc quaker kindly promised to
furnish MIN with suitable clothing.
"Ihee would like to see thy wife and
children before thee goes ?n
Ishould, but they have become so es-
tranged from me; if 1 went perbaps
they would not believe me. I think If
will be better they should not know
where am. / want to surprise them.
and hope To do so by coming back d So
Der man. and with money enough to
make them comfortable. / prefer that
you and your wife should be the ONLY
persons in the place who shall know
where am or what am d0ing.n
Thus, while riding toward The qniet
farmhouse of the Quaker, the whole thing
was arranged When they reached the
farm the horse was put into the barn.
seated themselves before the fire the
Quaker said to his wife: -