Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-11
"Drinklng Properly"

when but WOf1dn CruSdue movement
was first organized in New York a lady of
no mean station in society and the church
came into our ranks. In her richly-ap-
pointed home wine, cider, or beer had always
had a place, considered necessary by the
head of the house "as help to his dinner"
Now that her eyes were opened 10 the intrin-
sic wrong of the custom, and its practical
influence on their only son, youth of about
twenty years, she resolved, God helping, to
Danish the evil thing forever. She pleaded
and prayed, and at last the desire Of her
heart seemed given to her their table was
free from any stimulant for months, and she
began to have great hope that danger was
averted from her sons career.
But one day in the early spring, as they
were seated at lunch, the husband suddenly
ascertained that his health demanded
draught of the fine bottled cider which yet
fingered in the cellar, and directed the SER
want to bring it.
"Don't," pleaded the wife; ooh don't"
If her son had not been present at the
table she would have been perhaps less ur-
gent but she trembled fer him.
"Nonsense !" responded the husband, as
if he had OWNED her thoughts; cider is
harmless beverage"
"Oh DON'T" fairly groaned the wife but
it was useless the bottle was uncorked and
the amber liquid poured.
"Pass your glass, Will, and try this cider"
he said to his son. "The quality is prime.
Don't look at mother she's foolishly afraid"
But sentiment of calamity seemed to
possess the mothers heart, that fell like lead
within her. She sat silently during the re-
mainder of the repast, no one perhaps no.
ticing that her own portion remained un-
tasted.
Will and his sisters were engaged that
evening to birthday reception on Fifth Az
| enue, and, with many charges for him to be
home in season, they separated after lunch.
At five o'clock his returning footsteps were
heard in the hail. but there was something
about them that did not sound quite steady,
and the mother fastened to meet him. Her
worst fears were verified; Will was drunk.
As she afterwards learned, that glass of
cider at the noon hour had awakened the
thirst which had been slumbering within
him for months, and he had spent the after
noon in going from one to another Of his
old haunts, where his former companions
| had welcomed him and all the old associa-
| tons had been revived.
The mother could do nothing with the
boy; he was beyond control. He insisted
on equipping himself for the party but with
so much confusion and riot in his apartment
that when his father arrived the whole house
was in an uproar of fright. He, too, was
helpless to restrain. Coaxing and threaten.
ing were alike vain to calm the excited
youth. As last resort, the angry and i'm.
patient father called in the police, and at
the hour when he should have been on his
way to the party with his sisters he was
marched to the police-station and shut up
for the night in felon's cell
The next morning | was called from my
breakfast to the parlor to see the unfortu
nate young mans mother. With tears OF
shame and sorrow she related the above
facts, and begged me to 60 with her to the
station-house to meet her son.
"Of course" said she, mo complaint will
be made against him, and he will be dis
charged; but fear unless l am there he
will not go home. And he must 60 home, "
she added, with deep earnestness; "but
don't know what will be the end Of this"
1t was the first and only time that was
ever in police court. Oh the sadness and
gloom of thsplace At that early hour o.
the day few persons were about. One at
ter another of the unfortunate night prison
ers were brought before the Judge and sum
marily disposed of, aud at last came this
weeping mothers son, fair, boyish-looking
dressed with exquisite taste, yet bearing the
marks on his face apd person OF his late de
bauch. He was led to the rail by the Off
Ger, and we sat breathless to hear what
passed.
elias any one appeared against him ?"
"No one, your honor"
"What is his offence ?"
Drunkenness and disturbance"
Ill haI hAtk Na1r
care next time and see that you don't drink
yourself, sir Learn to stop at the proper
time, and not put yourself and your friends
to such disgrace again" And with thes,
impressive words the magistrate, who him
self was sometimes guilty of similar laps'
, from proprety, waved the prisoner from tn,
bar. A half-smile fitted over the youthful
face as as turned away He saw his mother
but would not recognize her. She followe'
him quickly, and l left them at the door
not venturing to intrude at such moment
and watched them as they walked up tn
street with prayer and pity for them both.
1t needed some persuasion on the part o
$ the mother to induce Will to go his home
Q "No, mother / never want to be seel
0 there again. Father'll be furious, and wha
' shall say to him g? He had no business +
send me there last night; I'll never forgiv
| him"
ale couldn't do anything else, Will N
one could hold you. How could you hay
got SO drunk ?"
That cider started me, mother, and
couldn't help it, Twas fathers own fault.
The mother groaned in spirit. She kne'
that was the truth, though she couldn't sa
it. With kindly persuasions she, howeve
at length induced him to go home with he
The father met them in the hall. ii
was Just going out to business. He gaze
at the poor boy, and then, with a minglin
: of reproach and contempt in his face an
, his voice. he said
"Will, why don't you learn to drink Xix
IL a gentleman ?"
IS Alas alas the boy could not learn tt
+ lesson. One of two things he must do
! either not drink at all or drink as much /
. he wanted, which would always be to exces
How shall we teach boy " to drink pro
I. erly,"" to drink like gentleman ?" Plea,
tell us. Where is the boundary line betwee
Is the proper and improper use of stimulants
Who shall define it
We verify believe the Scripture defines
where, in the words of the wise man, we a
warned "Leave off-before ii is NEEDLE
with,p lie spoke of another form of inter
perancei is it not quite as as applicable
this case IA doocate.