Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-11
The First Drink and the Last.


The spring trade had been brisk that
year, merchants from the far West had ar
rived in large numbers, and the principal
business streets of the city of S. had been
crowded with purchasers, with boxes, and
with drays, making promenading rather a
difficult thing.
Harry Stedman was more actively ell
gagged than he had ever been before, for
when he had entered Mr.. Crofton's store late
in the preceding autumn it was after the
press of work for the fall was over.
Harry had promised his mother before
leaving his village home for the city that he
would put his whole heart and mind into
learning the business, that he would not let
difficulties discourage him and more than
all, he had promised that he would not re-
sort to the use of stimulanfs under any
temptation. lie little knew the secret habits
of young men who were outwardly active,
industrious, and respectable members of
society.
One day the work in the store was, as the
boys said, tremendous" Box after box
was packed, nailed up, marked, and turned
out on the sidewalk, and still country mer-
chants were calling at the door any goods
shipped yet Must be ready by three
There was hurry everywhere, but it might
have been observed that there was at all
times deficiency in the force of clerks of
one or two at time. Harry at length no
ticed these absences, but just as he was
about to ask his companion who was pack
ing the same box what it meant, when every
available man was needed, the lad addressed
him.
Harry" said he, can't stand this any
longer without drink. | don't often in
dulge, but I'm getting tired out with this
day and night work. Just as quick as this
box is marked and turned out you slip
| round the corner with me-"
"Where to 2" said Harry.
"Why, to Jerry's, up the alley. Don't
you know the place p
Indeed do not" said Harry.
You are green, Harry Stedman," said
Joe. 81 guess you are the only fellow here,
then, that doesn't know it,"
q" Is it soda-water place ?" said Harry.
81 should like drink of soda-water."
Fiddlesticks, Harry p laughed Joe con-
temptuousy: "it's where you get beer or
anything stronger; and glass Of lager sets
you up like a sVoL junei."
Harry was enlightened, but he refused to
go this time; he thought of his mother and
of his promise to her.
Joe's patronzing ways and his laugh after
this refusal ranked in Harry's mind and
made him feel as if he had appeared very
foolish indeed in the sight of his compan-
ion; how he appeared in the sight of God,
alas he failed to consider.
The busy season was not yet over when
Harry at last yielded to Joe's temptations
and consented to go to Jerry's just this once.
He made his first entrance into a sa
LOOM" gave his conscience its first deaden
ing blow, and he took his first drink.
Years passed, for at this time Harry Sted.
man was youth of eighteen, tall, straight
and remarkably handsome and sweet TEN
pered.
1t was only five years that passed, when Q
young man was brought by two of hi,
friends to an "asylum for the cure of ineb
rates"
No one who had known Harry Stedman a
eighteen would have recognized him now
STOPPING in the shoulders, unsteady in his
gait, flushed and bloated-and yet the i'm
press was on his altered face of having ono,
possessed great manly beauty. II was b,
his own wish that he was brought to the
asylum-the one redeeming point of igh
in his dark and sad career lie had mad,
efforts upon efforts to strike off his chains
but the habit had gradually and surely be
come fixed, and apparently could not b'
broken, and now without just so man,
drinks in a day he could not endure tn,
mental anguish and nervous prostratioI
that overcame him.
Not feeling by any means certain that h,
could go through the terrible ordeal of hav
ing all stimulus suddenly taken from him
Harry had ingeniously contrived to secret
about his person fiat bottle containin!
whiskey.
The physician received him kindly, prais
ing him for his resolution to reform, tolt
him of the requirements OF the place, Ell
couraged him to submit himself to them AM
then Harry was left by his friends, as the
believed, soon to be restored to them and hi
mother sound and thoroughly reforme
man.
One night and one day were agonize
:. through. The second night physical an
y mental strength began to give way, and re-
olution rapidly wavered. Midnight came
the light burned dim, sense of horror seize
him, strange images were before him.
1t would not be long now before the a
tendant would be in his room to see how
} was progressing-Oh that he might escap
first
Suddenly remembering the bottle he ha
secreted Harry sprang from his bed, foun
it, and with the frenzy brought on by al
stinence drained it to the last drop.
He regained his bed, but this was his Ia
drink; before morning he was raving i
, delirium, and never regained his conscious
ness, until death ended his suiferings on tn
third day afterward.
The hoped-for cure had been attempte
too late.
= Aud his widowed mother Through ii
few remaining years of her life the sight {
her grief-stricken countenance, her despai
ing eyes, was one that will never fade fror
my memory.-Stdndard.