Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-09
Shall We Drink Winel

thereby. A classical scholar, he talked en-
Enthusiastically of the wines of Cyprus aud
Lesbos and old falerniau." Quailing his
favorite vintage, he waxed eloquent upon
the inspiring influences of wine. "Wine
maketh glad the heart" How often he
quoted this phrase, forgetting always to add
"Wine is a mocker." lie boasted of his
self-cuntrol aud moderation" Only the
weak ones of earth were in danger of yield
ing to excessive Indulgence; yet there were
many who had listened to his after dinner
speeches" when they knew he was under the
spell of the cup, and the members OF his
family had often seen him when racking
headache and over sensitive nerves betrayed
the fact that he had tarried long at the
wine"
Yet he was an honorable man; surrounded
ly hosts ef friends, aud the eufnmn of his
! life was crowned with the iruition of his
most ambitious hopes. Ills home was one
of elegance aud luxury, over which the wife
OF his youth still presided. His sous, four IN
lumber, were all he could dpsire while his
daughters occupied enviable positions.
His seceniieh birthday was to be the oc-
casion of family reunion, and extensive
preparations were made for the entertain
ment of guests Judge Warren had for years
anticipated this day, and with his own
hands set aside the wine which was to do
honor to this reunion
Late in the evening preceding his birth
day his eldest son joined him in the library.
Father, is there to be wine at dinner to-
morrow z" was asked abruptly.
"Ot course, John some of the very best.
bought it twenty years ago, expressly Tor
tomorrow. | calculated on long life, and
now | expect my hidrrn and glandchil-
dren to pledge me in drink fit Tor the gods"
But, father"
Well, my son 7"
81 wish you would dispense with wine to-
morrow
"Dispense with wine p echoed Judge
| Warren. "What a dinner without zest
and piquancy, the crowning day OF my life?
| Why, John, you astonish me-" The speaker
PASSED his and across his forehead, and
after moments thought said
"Tel m why you expressed this wish"
| 4" Because father, cannot drink wine, and
| mn boys must not drink IL. | would rather
| they never heard your name than that they
should drink wine at your table tomorrow.
| tell you the truth" continued John War
ren, every member of my family are
pledged to abstinence and yet"
Have you joined the army of fanatics
| who are indeavorng 10 turn the customs oil
/
newfangled theories for religion :"
81 hare IA story to tell you. viii you hear
| it now z" was the reply.
| Yes answered the father, somewhat
impatienty
Il have heard you say that wine is
necessary stimulant, and that, ii you wished
to speak eloquently, you would drink of the
| fruit OF the vine"
Yes, yes, John, that's all true. I've
tried it for fifty years, and ought to know"
Aud | have tried it for half that time,
and. to my sorrow and shame, know that
wine is "a mocker. Three months ago |
| lost an important case III court because |
was intoxicated 1t made difference to
my client of twenty thousand dollars and
Justice was on his side. Wine was on mine,
and disgraced myself | wished to do my
best; and ! have thus learned to distrust
that syren OF the cup.
4" | won't believe 1t, John exclaimed the
old man. :" won't believe that sou of
mine has been intoxicated -
But it is true, father. II | had been "A
poor man, lust commencing the practice of
law, people would have said was drunk.
But 1t is not all. My oldest boys have been
lovers of quoting your example and my own,
as pro0f that tins appetite could be safely
INDUCED. One midnight they were brought
home to me III a state OF such lntoxicalion
that | turned iron them in utter disgust.
| Anger, modification, grief, all struggled for
the mastery, i'll my breast. did not sleep
that night 1t seemed to me that myself and
my entire family were fast sinking into the
pit. The next morning | summoned my
boys to an interview, Ahich lasted several
hours and when that interview closed, We
had pledged ourselves never again to taste
of wine. But it has been hard fight Tor
u.s. and we are not SO strong as to be above
temptation believe | eau trust myself to
resist even here but for my boys, father,
beg aud pray that you will not offer them
wine. Ii they drink, they will be ruined,
soul aud body aud the sin will lie at your
door could indemnify my client Tor his
loss but you could never give back my boys
as strong IN noble purpose as now"
There was a long Hence after this appeal
Judge Warren was proud of his name lie
had received it untarnlshed, and he looked
forward to a line OF descendants who should
bear it not unworhily. Johns boys were, il
possible, dearer to him than John himself
lie thought OF all this As he rested his head
upon his hand, meditating a reply. Fact.
were stubborn arguments, and his son mus
!. have spoken the truth.
I ".Iohn, call your brothers and sisters" ht
l. said without looking up. They were sum
moned. "Call your MOTHER too" She
n came Now tell them what request yol
have made. Tell them all you have told me
If you wish them to know"
John Warren looked around, aud, realizing
how much was at stake, repeated the stor.
he had intended that his father only SHOULD
y hear He was IA noble man, IA Christian man
a Never had he given stronger proof OF thi
e. than when he acknowledged his SIN in yield
ing TO the iasciuatiohs OF the wine-cuE
"God knows how bitterly deplored m
. guilt" he said, with touching earnestnes'
Aud his boys it Mas hard 10 expose hei
weakness aud shame, but the good of all de
g manded It, Waxing eloquent with TIN
he theme, he uttered such plea ior abstinenc
: rs Is seldom heard.
70 lis mother looked at him lovingly, Will
IL her eyes suffused with tears aud her hE
ct quivered, "God bless YOU my boy y si
exclaimed at he paused God bless yo'
- and give grace to you and yours to kee
+ your pledge inyioate."
Nellie :" 1t was the old-tme man
Judge Warren had learned when he Was
school-boy, and Nellie Barnard was the Inc
ed rie,t girl that ever woke the mountain echo'
with her laugh. ' Nellie, should have bee
IA better husband, had never tasted wine
;, Should have been better man, IL mo
mi constant Christian, living more as God Won
e have lne live ? Would my influence ha'
NJ told more iur the good OF humanity, had
never tasted wineY" lie waited for a repl
y John, you have been good HUSBAND
but | do believe you would have been Jett'
in every relation OF liie had you" A pa
lace confronted her. She did not need
complete the sentence.
I've Should have been better father
you my, children p
q Your example and influence would ha
a. been on the safe side, answered John.
7s Nellie, shall we have wine AT dinner
,,., morrow 7"
az How eau we, after what we have j.
t. heard !" responded MIS-. Warren.
Then, as God hears me, there will
rs none henceiorth at my table. | will ma
what reparatlon | may.
One by one they went out leaving Mel
!, aud her John-her lover still. The Jud
ain forgot his honors-forgot the years viii
y Of lay between him and the brightest day
ai@ ali his lie, when he had promised 10 10
r" honor aud cherish the woman at his si
b, lie was young again, with lille aud its pos
bllitles, so hopeful and so strong that neve
thought ol failure intruded TO mar his drea
i% sr- sour children, Johu,' at length IN
his wi