Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-03-06
LEAP IN THE DARK.
A Temperance Tale.
BY EUGENE ]. HALL.

| Though George Maxwell WAS CVih-
paratively young man, his hair was
white as snow. l often wondered al
his strange appearance, and one day.
IN playful humor. l said to him;
George, why is it that you look SC
prematurely old p
HIS face became suddenly clouded
and, for the moment, he los his accus-
toned checriulness.
There is one episode in my lifs." he
SAID, sravely that l never liked TO talk
about
Pardon me- | exclaimed, If have
introduced subject that is disPlcasng
to you, and let US proceed to talk about
something else
y few days later, while we were pass
lng pleasant hour together, | ordered
bottle Of wine, and pouring cut Il couple
Of glasses, carelessly pushed one OF
them towards him and called out:
.
Your health.
To my astonishment, he firmly de-
Glued 10 drink with me-.
But SAID [, 1t is only little light
wine. 1t won't affect our head i'll the
least
.Neyerthncss, he responded, the
slightest Indulgence in the cup that III
toxicates is contrary to my settled prin-
ciples.'
Very well, them reioined grufiiy'
here's luck to myself, and | swallowed
the contents OF both classes.
Newton said my companion, SER
iously, / wish l could persuade you
never drink another glass OF liquor
DO not regard my refusal to drink with
YOU al unfriendly action. You know
little OF my former life and habits il
you did you would not tempt me-
We have all been boys in our time,
| said with au exhibition Of consldera'
bic levity. The indiscretions ofyomh
arc many, and it is but natural to SUP
pose that you have been one ofus.'
My laughter seemed to pain him.
He turned partly about his chair, fixed
his dark, piercing eyes upon me and
said:
Newton, | am a reformed drunkard.
1t was now my turn to look aston
ished.
Yes, : he continued. Il ran through
a brief and brilliant career Of pleasure
and profigacy, and, but for one night
of terror, that suddenly changed the
whole current Of my life, might, like
many of my former companions, be ly-
ing in a drunkard's grave to-day
looked again at his prematurely
white hair.
L understand your thoughts he
continued. L dislike to talk OF the past
but for your own good let me give you q
little of my experience
Resting his elbows upon the table
between us, and supporting his head up
on the open palms of his hands. he toll
me the following story:
Il had the misfortune to lose my par
ents at an early age. Upon leaving
college found myself the undisputet
master OF large fortune, aud, like mos
coll ge graduates, fancied my self onl,
about second to The pope III iniallibillty
My parents while living had been III
dulsent aud liberal with me, | had new
er learned the value OF a dollar. l hat
acquired no practical ideas OF business
Ny only thought was OF ease and pleas
ure. My io,tuue seemed ample. and
saw no necessity for exertiOn, and l ell
tered at once upon reckless and eX-
trayasaut career.
MY liberalty made me hosts of ap
narent friends. / had no lack Of bool
companions while my money lasted.
kent fast horses. and, like 'Jehu,'
drove iuriously, l gambed extensively
| drank deeply, and my inheritenee rap
idly melted away
When one gets fairly started in ;
downward career every earthly cir
cumstance seem to help him along
even his prof ssed friends often regar'
him as their lawful prey, and justif,
themselves while they plunder him, up
on the ground that they might as wei
have what he squanders away as an.
body else. The road to ruin is yer,
pleasant aud easy to follow, but IL eve
leads to frightful end, where we ma.
pause IN grief and horror, to comtem
plate the instability of human friendship
the heeiing chaacter ofriches, the follie
of extravaganza and the selfshness o
, our fellow men. We often learn whel
1t is too late what glorious opportunitie
we have for accomplishing good T.
others and of acquiring prof. to our