Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-02-17

the room. as he had some matters of
private nature to import TO the writer.
After being assured that we were
alone, he said, '.Friend Maultby, (the
name had assumed) my sands OF life
are about run out; the curtain will soon
drop, and the grave soon cover from sight
all that is mortal of one who might have
occupied an honorable niche In the Tenn
pie of fame save for one cause only, and
that is strong drink, the beverage OF hell.
o, LIQUOR from whence can / find lam
guage to execrate thee according to the
amplitude of thy dement's. Thou hast
brought down youth from its first flush
of beauty; manhood in its vigor and
hoary headed age is not exempted
from thy damning influence He then
gave me the following history of his
checkered career:
IL am no rebel; but, on the contrary.
a nOrthener, and Union man. [ was
born i'm Detroit, Mich. My name is Gin
ton -. Being an only son, like all
such unfortunate children, / was PAM
pered, petted and spoiled. My father be-
ing asuccessful merchant and prOmi-
nent politician, he seemed to forget that
had any claims on his valuable time.
Like thousands of others. the one all-ab-
sorbing principle of his lite was to accu-
mulate wealth. Gold, gold was the idol
before which he bowed, needing not the
cry of distress, or the voice OF love and
affection Entrenching himself behind
his ill-gotten gains. he closed his eyes to
the thousand expressions of beauty and
grandeur which nature is ever exhibit
ing. to lift man into the higher and no.
bier walks of life. Such being my moral
training, grew up self-willed, way
wand boy-would brook no restraint NV
poor old sainted mother fairly idolized
her darling boy. as she called me, graft
flying my every within. Asa natural Sc
qence. laid the foundation for life of
misery and crime; yes, crime.
ARRIVING ut my majority, had con-
tracted the rum habit. with many of the
other vices that follow in its train. Feel
ing its whitening effects, tried to re-
form. and would have succeeded but for
that DEVILS introduction, the harmless
glass of wine, which injnres nobody,
that is part OF the makeup of good SO
eiety, so called.
Il soon found myself confirmed sot.
My father first plead with me. then de-
nounccd me land finally Withdrew his sup
port from me. then sank, If it were posi-
Bile, lower being-a hdbitdu of the low
est slums of misery and crime. to crafty
my passion for liquid damnation. Dur
! ing my sober moments, which were but
few, my heart would 90 out to beauti-
full maiden whose heart and hand had
won before the rum fiend had caught me
in his tolls. But it was of short duration.
as | would ill myself with liquid rum.
and keep myself Oblivious to every noble
aspiration of the heart.
Such was my condition, when [ re-
solved 10 put an end TO my miserable eX-
istence. and free my spirit from its tot
tering tenement of clay. and leave this
cold-hearted world with all its troubles.
heartaches ana sorrows.
In this frame of mind, sought my
fathers office knowing that he kept
case of revolvers in his desk. In search
| ing for them found the key of the safe.
In moment | changed my mind.
Throwing open the safe door. found
large amount of money, which l trans
ferred To my person, replaced the key.
and in five minutes L Was on The street.
for the first time in my life. a criminal.
Liquor had so brutalized me that | had
left the place of my nativity with only a
passing thought for her who nightly in
voked a blessing on her erring boy.
'Since that time have been rambler
On the breaking out Of the war [ offered
my services TO the government. which
was accepted. | rose rapidly to the com
mand of a New England regiment, right
where Il brilliant future was opened 10 me.
Having gallantly charged my regiment
into the very jaws of death thereby con
tributing to one OF the most famous vic
tories-l was hOEorably mentioned in
line OF promotion.
Again my evil genius obtained the
ascendency, and in few weeks | was dis
hOnora5ly cashiered for INSTRUMENTATION
and drunkenness.
"a few months afterwards lined the
most brilliant victory of my life. | was
tramping TIN rough Ohio. penniless |
approached Il small hamlet where IA few
of Gods people had assembled for wor-
ship. Being tired entered, seating my
self by the door. One of the brethren
was giving his experience with the rum
fiend. became all attention. | could
not give better description Of myself.
Then. closing with "A powerful exhorta-
| ton. pointing out the way TO the only
| true reiOrmatioE-tO look to Christ.
looked, and the light of Heaven descend
eel into the dark recesses OF my heart. il
Illuminating my whole soul, and | became
new creature, and mothers prayer
was answered at last"
Or. the following morning he placed
In my hands a few t.inkets. the gift of
Nora to him years before, with letters to
his parents, exacting promise from me
That would deliver them in person, and
charging me to allow no stone TO mark
his grave, he took a last farewell of those
around him. and drew the drapery of his
couch around him. The spirit of Clin-
ton took Its flight so peaceful! that
it was some minutes ere we knew he
was dead. | paid the last sad duty TO
my friend, and pursued my weary jour
ney alone.