Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-05
TWO COMRADES.

Henry Milburn, two handsome
manly, well to do young Ameri-
cans, aged respectively twenty-five
and twenty-one years, left their
happy homes in the city OF New
York to go abroad.
After enjoying a pleasant ride
across the great Atlantic, the
Americans found themselves in
the city of Hamburg. Here they
remained nearly week, and then
separated. Fred Lawrence went
to Berlin, while his friend set out
for the city of Paris.
A short time prior to their sepa-
ration young Lawrence said. as he
laid his hand fondly on his friends
shoulder:
"Beforc we part, Henry, promise
me you will not drink a drop of
liquor while abroad"
"Really, Fred, think that is
quite unnecessary" said Henry
Milburn, good humoredly.
"No, it is not" spoke the other,
as a smile of dissatisfaction linger-
ed for a moment on his handsome
countenance.
81 drink very little"
"But, unless Immediately stop
ped, that little may lead you to a
drunkard's grave"
"No, Fred, l can control my de-
sire for strong drink"
$50 thousands have said before
you, Henry, and, step by step, they
have ruined their lives /; caused
starvation and death to stare into
the faces of their families, if they
were so unfortunate as to have any,
and after long years of shameful
debuachery, they died drunk
ards DEATH" pleaded Fred Law
renee, as he brushed tear from
his eye.
A short silence ensued. Fred
saw that his words had taken eft.
feet. His friend was seriously de
batting the momentous question il
his mind. Would he promise
"Think of your good, kline
mother, the happy home you lef
behind you, your many relatives
and friend. Oh! what inconceiv
able sorrow and woe you would
bring home to them if you would
return a drunkard. Promise" and
the temperance advocate graspe
tie others hand
Young Milburn looked ABSENT!
at the throng Of people that haC
congregated at the depot. Hi
mind was vacillating.
Just as he was about to comply
to his friends request, he though
of the city Of Paris, the sparkling
wines attainable, and the universe
custom there of dispensing wit
them.
"No, Fred" he replied, bis MINI
fully made up.
Fred saw that further argumen
was useless. The bell rang an
the time for separation had come.
The friends embraced each othe
took long farewell, and then Ere
mounted the steps of the cars.
Grasping the railing with on
hand, and raising the other reve
emily aloft, he said, propheticall.
as the tears fell like rain droI
down bis handsome cheeks:
Gas sure as there is God
Heaven, Henry, you will some da
admit that am right"
The train moved of, and Henri,
with o heavy heart, sought b
hotel. In the evening he left fC
Paris.
The second day after Hem
Milburn arrived 10 Paris he mat
the acquaintance of rich Baro
who was travelling for his healt
Thenceforth the Baron was your
Milburn's campagnon de coyage.
Henry's newly made acquain
ance was greatly addicted to I'll
use Of wine, and, consequently, q
ter q few months, a marked chanl
was noted in his Henry demeano
Step by step, even as Fred sal
he was nearing drunkard's pat
Where viii it end 7
Exactly three years after Il
Americans separated, Fred La'
renee arrived in Madrid, Spain.
He is the same manly, handsou
Fred as of old; and as ardent or
fearless temperance advocate
when he left his native land. III
frst drop of intoxicating iqu'