Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-05-26
WEMpRfAMcG,
DON'T ASK ANYBODY TO TAKE
HIS FIRST GLASS.

strength of noble manhood, might
have blest mankind, been the support
and pride of some affectionate family
circle, living illustration Of what God
designed when He made man sin our
image" Even if a moderate drinker,
he knows that he is wasting his money
and hurting his own home. He knows
how one glass may start soul on the
wrong, and make of beautiful boy
blear-eyed sOt. He knows how he may
blacken a soul for all eternity; yet
misery loves company, and he draws his
fellows into the same maelstrom.
We saw recently a man whom society
barely tOlerates, because he is rich, his
face all dis6gured by loathesome dis
ease, holding his handsOmely-dres
pretty boy of five by the hand, in front
of one of our largest saloons. The child
pulled vigorously at his fathers arm, as
though he knew already the fumes of
whiskey and tobacco; but the father
chided him, drew in among the throng,
aud drank and chartered with the bloated
set.
Not many weeks since, a man of thirty
FIVE or forty years Of age, intoxicated,
came into one of our Friendly Inns, sup
posing it might be a saloon, or some
place where o man without food or
shelter might spend the night. When
he came to himself, and found that
Christian women had the home, instead
of oaloon-Keepers, his heart seemed
touched. He was man of uncommonly
fine physique, of most gentlemanly man
ners, the son of clergyman, an officer
of fine position in the war, prominent
instructor for years, public speaker on
temperance as we'll as other subjects,
one of the finest conversationalists [ ever
met, and yet perfect sOt. He had come
to the years of young manhood, hand
some, eloquent, noble-principled young
man, the pride of parents, and an honor
to his community. There came into his
circle man of as fine bearing as himself
They became friends. They walked and
talked and rode together. One day,
after delightful ride, the friend drove
to a public house, and asked him to
drink. For moment he was shocked
then panied, then sorry to refuse, ther
proud to feel that one glass would mo-
harm him, then afraid to say no, and
drank it. He went home ruined man
body and soul, and the wreck of nearly
twenty years followed. He fought liquor
in desperate struggle and that time
but it gained the mastery. Sometimes
he had glipses of what he might have
been, but fell at the first temptation.
At the Friendly Inn some of the gooC
women prayed with him. He tried t.
find o Saviour whom he had never
known. He hoped he had his feet upor
the rock. He spoke yet eloquently
with some of the old fire undimmed
He looked again like man who had ;
purpose to live and make his mark. A
glad light came into his yet fine face
A friend, after much difficulty, found ;
place for him, and gave him some money
The work was near q saloon. Tempta
ton was too strong. Before nightfal
he was a besotted, helpless thing. HI
left the city, sending back only once ;
letter full of bitterness of despair, use
less wreck, lost soul
A boy of nineteen came to US recently
He had no money, no home, no friends
He had been q drunkard for twelv
years, his body utterly broken, and hi
nerves shattered. Born in New York
he was an orphan at his earliest recol
lection. He ran away from the poor OLE
woman who had cared for him, becaus
she whipped him when she was drunk
He slept in boxes, and did little odd
and ends for penny or dime. Final
ly sea captain spoke kindly to him
and his heart warmed toward him. H
hired him to do an erraud for him, ant
when it was done. and the child cam
back eager for bread or few pennies
he paid him with glass of liquor. Tha
glass made an old man of him at nine
teen, one who had been kicked about tn
world, and seen nothing but sorrow ant
restitution.
There was CLEAN of sunshine-onl
one. In little side pocket of tattere
coat was Testament, with his name i
1t, the gift af lady who loved the Say
Jour. She was the one person in al
the world whom he cared to remember
About her God be knew little no school
ing, no hope, no joy, only longing a
nineteen for the desperate struggle Q
life to be over.
And who make this life the shrivellec
pitable thing it was? Not enough fo
that sea captain to steer his own boa
on the rocks and go down, but he mus
blight the life of a little boy of sever
Did the boy love him for the act? No
he cursed him. Probably the capital
did not think /; but he should have rt
membered that
Evil is wrought by want OF thought
More than by want Of heart"