The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-10-17
THE DRUNKARD's FAREWELL.
BY RALPH wALLINosFoRD.
From the Baltinorean.

and forever. Forrver Yes, forever for
feel now that lilis delirium has left me,
The grim munster death is steaiingover me,
and with his giIastly, unhallowed arms,
is hearing me away 10 his unwelconie
n almde.
Nellie, my darling, you have been the
greatest blessing that God ever gave 10
brighten my earthly palhway-tle light
uf my househnld-ihe sweet, syiniathi-
zing friend and companion Of my earlier
mai.had, and yei, say IL with tender
ness in my heart. that yon have caused
the greatest curse TO fall upon mcihat ever
rested upon the shoulders OF mortal man.
Bite Is. oh. how bitterly do ! remember,
llat happy New Years Eve, twenty
years ugO, when In tile strength Of my
pune young manhood, unlainted as yet by
any lctiy vices, called upon sou, in
company with several OF my best aud
most Ultimate college frieuds.-Afer speh.
ding delightful evening, wine was
banded round, and all Of my companions
drcliLed n; frs; the siarkIing beverage.
bur aiIri Icing Unlisted upon, aud not
wishing 70 offend tile h0snitaliiips Of
fashionable sucieiy, they finally yielded.
You know I stouily declined, aud ad-
lered 10 my resolution never TO touch nor
taste tie uiirlean thing, for knew that
my grandfather bad filed drunkard's
grave. and knew also, that had in
heriled his unqlcnchable thirst and APP
petite for drink. knew too, that WAS
just lowering over the very brink Of q
dTnnkard's grave ready TO fall in and he
forever lost the moment took rpy first
glass.
could have combatted more success
fully with showy-winged angel With all
the divine music from the angelic choir
Of heaven III her voice, than ] could you,
when sou came 10 me with that glass Of
wine In yonr fair je~eled hand, and said
in your tones. 30 gentle and so persuasive,
''Surely, Mr.. Hampton, after all ofour
friends have grntifed me; surely you.
who have gIsdusted from the noblesi law
iDsiitution in America, with the highest
honors; you, who are so bold and inaDly
In sll other matters; surely sou viii not
50 degrade yourseifin my estimation. rs
10 refuse glass Of wine with me7' How
Iwished, in that moment Of extremity,
when my deep seated resolution seemed
toitering To the ground, that l had been
fortified with n total abstinence pledge.
for you conId not have seen me perjure
myself. Bu: had lot that strong wea-
pom ~ my bulwark Of ofdcfence, to shieid
me against your sntreaties. More than
this. had not the moral courage 70 say
NO" 10 one whom adored above nil
others. Iyiel,led. lieplorable weakness!l
aid touching that glass TO yours raised IL
TO my lirs, and drank to your health and
happiness, The delicious. exhiliraling
daught. -
Alas II was as deadly poison to my
Thirsty soul. IN the bottom OF that glass
there luIked myrials OF venomous SER
IenIs, aroused The sleeping demon In my
depraved appetite, which ever since has
been entwining its tendrils around me
and gnawing ut my vitals' At last. with
Its remnrsele-s iangs, II has left me
victim To lis destroying influence. Had
your fair hand never proilersd that first
glass, and had ] not been 50 weak and ir-
resolute. should to-day have been
leading man ia my profession, Instead Of
dying the death Of a drunksrd.
Nellie. do mot weep go bitterly. Look
into my fast glazing eyes and say you
forgive me for having caused you so much
pain aud misery, rs ! forgive you for
having been tho cause Of my wfelched
end. Aud now, farewell forever!
James, my first born. aud my only son,
have word To say 10 you befoIe We
part. You are now merging Into fine
young manhood. with as bright prospects
before sou Us / had. My son, do not
blight them; tlo not do rs have; do not
take your first glass o. wine, though II
should bo offered by the most bewitching
Of all the fair daughters of earth. Look
upon The wrecked life Of your father, and
from the sight OF that fearful wreck take
warming, aud derive sufficient strength
aud moral courage TO say mo- 10 The
siren.v0ice D. tile fair tempter. Do this,
aud you will saiI across the broad ocean Of
life, without striking upon the hidden,
dangerous reefs upon which your father
has been sadly wrecked. I am fast sin.
king and cannot say much moro. The
moment Of my utter dissolution Is near Of
hand. Farewell, my dear hoy, FAREWELL :
May that God whom ! have neglected
and refused as my guide throjgh life, he
your strength and your shield, In the
hour of temptation.
Aud now, my fair young daughter, The
express image ofyour mother when she
wa- yonr tender age, u IN the future you
would not share more keeuly her misery,