Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-23
How One Drunkard Was Made.

1t was done in usual way, with this diff.
ference, 10 me, at leasD ! saw 1t done.
Had ! known the end from the beginning
should have raised warning cry. Who
would not Was not the drunkard's end,
when the wine which moveth itself Alright y
is biting like serpent and singing like an
adder, what had always looked at But
one day the beginning aud the end OF his
curse were set over against each other III
such way that | seemed to see the picture
as in vision. There was Satan. the great
enemy of souls, spreading his first fatal
snare but it was not IN dram-shop, as
one might suppose. And there, too, was his
most carefully chosen instrument, lair
thoughtless woman, standing, plainly saw,
as much in the shadow of Gods displeasure
as the evil companions to whom the world
gave all the blame.
1t was a dark picture, but at that time
and in that instance, the chief sorrow to me
was not so much that here was another ina =.
Of God deiaced and brutalized by rum but
another and more startling thought "Could
have hindered this i? Need this have
been here for angels to weep over and de
mons to mock at :"
To go back ten years or more, that you
may see it all as did.
1t was New Years day, 1856. A storm
had been raging outside since early morning.
but we who had gathered in Mrs. C.'s beau
tiful paror knew nothing OF the bitter wind
and sleet except that we had fewer callers
than usual. But those who came seemed to
be all the merrier for having less of Il crowd
The bright fire glowed in hospitable wei
come on the hearth for winter cheer while
one might forget in the bloom and fragrance
of the flowers that frightened the room
everywhere that it was not summer time
and summer weather.
remember the scene so we'll The happy
young faces. the gay dresses, the songs with
which we filled the intervals, the table 50
loaded with dainties, and the friends about
it who came into the sunshine OF that pleas
ant home with wishes for us all OF a Happy
New Year"
just at nightfall group OF young men
entered, and among them DIR. Richard h., II
particular friend OF the C's., young man OF
whom knew very little beyond the very ev-
ident fact that he was handsome, intelligent,
and wonderfully popular. He had been
looked for all day, and now that he had
come every one was all attention when his
CHEEKY voice was heard.
"You are as welcome as flowers in May
said Martha c., extending her hand with all
old friends greeting, but how could you
stay away so long?'
So that the best should come last" he
said Cayly. ~ think I'll crown my New
Year wishes with one for your health and
happiness, Miss Martha"
mot till you have pledged me this she
answered, turning AS she spoke to a decali-
ter, that until then ! had not seen among
the flowers on the table. TO fill delicate
bubble of glass TO the brim with wine.
"Thank you, Miss Martha. Win you ex-
cuse me ii ! say that have been out all day
and have not come to that yeti
There was something in his tone, some
self-asseiton in his manner, that seemed to
rouse IN Martha a desire to show the intlu-
ence she had over this young man. Her lit
tie hand was still holding the glass to-
ward him.
"Ah, indeed then you are all the more
ready to take it now, Richard"
"What if he never takes wine 7" sug-
gested a friend who stood by watching the
young man in what he thought, and rightly
too, was dilemma
son, that's nothing, said Martha lightly.
"You will take it for me. Just this once,
Richard
Ishuddered at her persistency, for thought
of the serpent that might lie coiled within
that cup flashed upon me. She was near
enough to put my hand on hers. Would
she bear check from me? ! thought she
would, but while stopped to neG'... ",i,,
one aouo' % o.. oi III tIiihe anHf Tor action passed
Just this once" echoed Richard, flush
ing as he took the glass without smile
from her hand. Here's wishing you many
happy returns of the day"
turned away chilled with dsappoint
ment over his lack of courage, and pained
too with that question of my own duty III
the case. But after-events that hinged on
that nights doings have forever settled al
such doubts for me.
A little over two years after this ] sat
one summer day, bya friends open window
We were talking OF this and that, as we ben
over our sewing together, when loud knock
ing across the street aroused us both. W.
saw man standing at a door whereon
doctors sign was conspicuously displayed.
" He need not wait there" said Alic,
gravely. Doctor l.. ought to put up
notice, No patients wanted here lie ha
been lying there dead drunk for hours
My husband says he has been in that dis
gusting condition for two days, only wakinl
to get more liquor which he keeps ON
stand by him. The poor fellow seems ben
on killing himself"
at is not possible" exclaimed, " tina
this DIR. l.. is Martha C's. old friend ?"
THE very same, said Alice.
But" said |, still unwilling to believe il
81 heard it said that he never takes win,
at least but seldom for then the memor
of his words, "Just this once" came bac
TO me as they sounded that night.
cannot say how that is" said Alc
=" | only know that two years ago last Ne
Years night he was carried home drunk IL
the first time in his life. lie has been goin
down, down ever since, has been turned o,
of home and church, and any day we ma
hear OF a acoroner's inquest over man fouu
dead in that utlice"
u So had seen one drunkard made. Th
glass saw Richard l.. put to his lips WI
said to be his first, and it ruined him.
sight OF that closed door, and remembers
tne poor, debased victim inside, | resolve
. God helping me, never again TO stand
\ while the tempter SHARED another soul, ev'
!. though the hand aud voice OF friel
= were enlisted in his unholy SERVICE Chr