The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-04-03
THE Old MANS STORY.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

shall never forget tho commence
ment Of the temperance reformation.
1 was child at the time, some ten
years of age. Our home had every
comfort, and my kind parents idolized
me. their only child. Wine was often
on the table, and both my father and
mother gave it to me in the bottom
Of their morning glass
One Sunday. at our church, a start
ling announcement was made to our
people. / knew nothing OF its pur.
purport; but there was much whis-
pering among the men. The pastor
said that on the next evening there
would be meeting and an address
upon the evils of intemperance In the
use of all alcoholic liquors. He ex-
pressed himself ignorant Of the meet
ing, and could not say what course it
would be best to pursue in the mat
ter.
The subject OF the meeting came
up at our table after service, and ]
questioned my father about it with
all the curious earnestness OF a child
The whisper and words which had
been dropped IN my hearing clothed
the whole affair In great mystery to
me, and was all earnestness to learn
the strange thing. My father merely
said it was a scheme to unite the
Church and State.
The night came, and groups Of peo-
pie gathered on the tavern steps, and
I heard the Jest and laugh, and saw
drunken men come reeling out of the
bar-room.
1 urged my father to let me go;
but he. at first, refused. Finally.
thinking 1t would be an irndoknt
qualification OF my curiosity. ne put
on his hat and We passed the green
to the church. l we'll remember how
the people appeared as they came in
seeming to wonder what kind Of an
exhibition was to come or
In the corner was the tavern-keep
er. and around hin. number oi
friends. For an hour the people Ci
the lace continued to come In, til
there was fair h use full. All were
curiously watching the door. and ap-
parently wondering what would ap-
pear next. The parson stole in and
took seat behind the pillar In the
gallery. as IL doubtful OF the proprie
ty OF being in the church at all.
Two men finally came in and went
forward to the altar and took their
seats. All eyes were fixed upon then
and general stiffness prevailed
throughout the church.
The men were unlike in appearance
one being short. thick set in his
build, aud the other tall and well.
formed. The younger had the man
ner and dress OF clergyman; full
round face and quiet, good naturet
smile, as he leisurely looked arount
upon his audience.
But my childish interest was in tho
old man. His broad, deep chest anC
unusual hight looked giant like, a.
he strobe up the aisle. His hair wal
white, his brow deeply SCARED will
burrows, and around his handsom,
mouth were lines OF aim and touch
ing sadness. His eyes were blacl
and restless.
His lips were compressed, and |
crimson flush went and came owe
his pale cheek. One arm was of
near the elbow, and there was wild,
scar just above the right eye.
The younger finally rose and states
the object OF the meeting. aud aske'
II there was a clergyman present t
say a prayer. Our pastor kept hi
seat, and the speaker himself made
short address; at the conclusion, call
ing upon any one to make remarks
The pastor arose under the gallery
and attacked the position of tn
speaker, using the arguments l hav
| ~ ha ri of n@nnl,.In1 ~
denouncing those engaged in tn
movement as meddlesome fanatic.
who wished to break up the time
honored usages Of good society, an
ipjure the business OF respectabl
men. At the conclusion OF his re
marks. the tavern keeper and hi
friends got up q cheer, and the cul
rent OF feeling was evidently agains
the strangers and their plan.
While the pastor was speaking. th
old man leaned forward, and fixe
his dark eyes upon him. as IL to cate
every word.
As the pastor took his seat. thetl
man arose, his tall form towering
its symmetry, and his chest heayin
as be breathed through his thin. d
l. ted nostrils. To me, at that tim
J there was something awe-inspirin
in the appearance OF the old man, 4
he stood, his full. dark eye upon II
audience, his teeth shut hard. and
J silence like that OF death prevailin
throughout the church.
He bent his gaze upon the taverI
keeper, and that peculiar eye lingere
and kindled for moment. The SC;