Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-05-22
How one Drunkard was Made.
BY GRACE BENEDICT.

DeylEnlnS snOula nave talseu "hrn'
ing cry. Who would not? Was not the
drunkard's end, when the wine which
'moyeth itself Alright IS biting like a
serpent and stinging like an adder,
what 1 had always looked at But one
day the beginning and the end Of his
course were set over against each ether
in such a way that seemed to see the
picture as in visien. There WAS
Satan, the great enemy of souls, spread
ing his first fatal snare; but it was moi in
a dramshop, as enc might suppose.
Aud there, too, was his most carefully
chosen instrument, fair, thoughtless
woman, standing, l plainly saw, as
much in the shadow OF Gods displeas
ure as the evil companions to whom the
world gave all the blame.
1t was Clark picture. but at that
time and in that instance, the chief
sorrow to me was not so much that here
was another image Of God defaced and
brulallzed by rum, but another and
more startling thought: Could l have
hindered this? Need this have been
here for angels to weep over and de.
mons to mock at p
TO 90 back ten years and 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 gath.
cred in Mrs. C.'s beautiful parlor know
nothing of the bitter wind and slect
except that we had fewer callers than
usual. But those who came seemed to
be all the merrier for having less Of a
crowd. The bright fire glowed in
hospltable welcome On the hearth fer
winter cheer, while one might forget in
the bloom and fragrance OF the howers
that frightened the room everywhere
that it was not summer time and
summer weather.
| remember the scene so well. The
happy young faces, the gay dresses, The
songs with which we filled the inter-
yals, the table 50 loaded with dainties,
and the friends about it who came into
the sunshine Of that pleasant home with
wishes for US all Of Happy New
Year
Just at nightfall a group of young
men entered. aud among them DR..
Richard L., a particular friend OF the
C.'s, young man Of whom | knew
very little beyond the very evident 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 whom
his CHEEKY voice was heard.
You are as welcome as the flowers
Ill May said Martha c., extending hel
hand with an old friends greeting, but
how could you stay awayss long?'
SO that the best should come last,
he said gayly. L !hiuk III crown my
| New Years wishes with one for your
health and happiness, Miss Martha
Not till you have pledged me in this,
she answered, turning as she spoke to q
d-canter, that until then | had not seer
among the flowers sn the table, TO Ill
the delicate bubble Of glass to the b.in
with wine.
Thank you, Miss Martha. viii yor
excuse me if say that have been oa
all day and have not come to that YETI
There was something in his tone
some self-assertlOn in his manner, tina
seemed to rouse in Martha a desire tC
show the inhurnce she had over thin
young man. Her little hand was still
holding the glass toward him.
'Ah, indeed then you are all tn,
more ready to lake it now, Richard
What il he never takes wine' sug
sested friend who stood by watching
the young man in what he thought, and
rightly too. was a dilemma.
oh, that's nothing said Martha
lightly. You will take it for me. Just
this onre, Richard
shudder at her persistency, for a
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? l thought she would, but while ]
stopped to parley with the doubt Of it.
and to balance friendship and duty, the
time for action passed.
Just this once echoed Richard,
flushed as he took the glass without O
smile FROM her hand. Here's wish
ing you many happy returns of the day.
turned away chilled with disappolnt.
ment at his lack Of courage, and panied
too with that question of my own duty
| in the case. But after-eYents that hing
ed on that nights doings have forever
settled all such doubts for me.
a little over two years after this sat,
one summer day. by friends open
window. We were talking Of this and
that as we bent over sewing together,
when loud knocking across the street
aroused us both. We saw man stande
at door whereupon Doctors sign was
conspcuously displayed.
He n ed not wait there said Alice
gravcly. Doctor l., ought to put up q
notice, No patients wanted here, He
has been lying there dead drunk for
aours. Ny husband says he has been
| -, H., ,I;,.rua,;,,, ,.nn ditinp for tun do 20