The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1878-01-11
w oman's Temperance Column
"7he Lord of Hosts IS with as, The God
ofJacob is our refuge"


iillli lullk IOlSuale. n splendid amt
rapid pcnman, quick and correct ia
figures, neat as white wax, hc was Il
treasure to the firm.
Not only there was hc a treasure, bat
in lovely little cottage close TO Pros
pect Park, in Brooklyn, he was trens-
urc to all old mother, fond wife. and
two lovely little children, a boy and
| girl, four and six years of age.
Frank had one falling, and hc knew
1t so well that he shuddercd Whenever
he passed the portals ot.a drinking sa-
looon. IL was passion for strong
drink. Aided by his noble young wife,
he had so far conquered this passion as
to have kept, for nearly three years,
away from even taste of it,; for one
taste goaded him into a maddening de-
sire for more, and more he would have,
till it ended in fearful spree. from
which a surely consequent SPELL of sict-
ness could only break him off.
This much by way of explanation.
and now | will push rapidly forward 10
tell the true story of his fate. which /
hope and pray may do some good in the
season now so close at hand.
On the Saturday night previous to
New Years day, 1876, the senior mem
!
"Call at my residence New Years
afternoon and will have some good
news for you.'
Frank had avoided New Years calls
for years, because Of their temptations.
but surely no danger would come at the
house of his employer and friend, and
so he told his dear wife when she spoke
grievingly of his leaving her and the
loved ones at home on that dav.
He did not 90 until after dinner Mt
home-for always, at Christmas and
On New Years day, he carved turkey
| at his pleasant table for those he loved.
1t was well on in the afternoon when
he arrived at the splendid residence, on
Madison avenue, of the senior partner
| OF the firm, and the latter said:
"lvc been looking for YOU all dav.
Mr.. Lonsdale, and began to fear yGn
would disappoint me. Here is a New
Years present" lie handed him II
check for five hundred dollars. "Your
salary for the ensuing year is increased
from this day one thousand dollars. We
have never had book-keeper so faith
ful and correct as you within the thirty
years of the firms existence"
Frank was so taken by surprise that
he could hardly speak his thanks. Tie
salary, already munifcent, so much
enlarged, and that five hundred dollar.
now i'll hand would enable him to make
the iinal payment on the cottage ia
which he livcd-give him his home free
of all incumbrance.
The merchant noticed his embarra,s-
ment, and said-ah, fatal error, friend
ships curse indeed:
Take glass of wine, my good
friend, in honor of the day and vonr
well-earncd good fortune"
Frank forgot his taiing-forgot all
but the overwhelming kindness of the
one he deemed his best and kindest
friend.
He seized and drank the wine almost
without thought of what he was do
ing.
In second, like electric fire, he felt
1t coursing through his veins. 1t thrill
ed him from head to foot. lie found
Ill an instant language enough in which
to fucntly and eloquently express Iii,
thanks for the Kindness of his employer.
And then, his heart all aglow, he start
ed for home to convey the news to his
mother, wife and little ones.
But the taste of the rel, red wine
was on his lips. Its maddening effect
had not yet died away. And Satan,
ever alert, threw i'll his way an old ac-
quaintancc of years gone by. when he
drank hard.
"Hallo, Frank. You're just the boy
for me. Let's take just one drink for
old acquaintance sake
| Frank did not even hesitate. They
fcntered low saloon, where LIQUID fire
is sold under the name of ''purc import
ed liquors"
1t was almost midnight when Frank
Lonsdale staggered away from that den.
having barely sense enough to know
which way to stagger toward his home.
lie was unfit to move step uncarcl
for along streets yet crowded with rev.
elers, but he went on until he reached
street crossing. Over this he tried to
pass, just as stree car came along at a
swinging pace.
A shout of warning, all unheeded, a
shrek of agony, and poor Lonsdale was
down-first under the horses feet, and
then under the car wheels
In few seconds his life was tram
pied and crushed out, and when the
mangled body was carried to the near
est station-house, the papers found on
it told his name.
A heart-broken widow and two Or
phans are all that live to remind that
merchant of what he did, when, in
friendships holy name, he offered wine
to the best clerk in his employment.
The old mother died when she looked
OH the mangled corpse of her first born
and only child.
Reader, no matter be We old and rich,
or young and fair, in the name OF
Heaven. tempt no one to his ruin IN
friendships name.