The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-02-24


influential; he is the master; and
during few moments the poor soul
appears to live years. He rises, and
walks with long strides, furiously
turning in his narrow garrett like
tiger in a cage; for some inexplicable
reason he hears continually the beat
ings of his heart, and cannot avoid
counting them at the same time no
note is taken Of the sweat which runs
in trucking streams down his face.
Suddenly the chamber grows larger
the fame of the candle streams up
higher and higher, until finally, like
huge tongue of fire, it seems to lick
the ceiling; even the bottle in the
trembling light takes on gigantic
and vague contours; the very walls
appear to tremble with alarming os-
citations. He stops before the table,
holding his hands firmly on the back
Of the chair, his body sways back and
forth, and his legs almost refuse him
support; now is experienced lacerat-
ing nervous pains in the temples, and
above the eyebrows; at the same time
the sense Of hearing is excited to the
highest pitch; the least noises are
magnifed in astonishing proportions
the steps Of belated traveller on the
sidewalk almost deafen him; the noise
Of a closing door produces the effect
of cannon; clock in a neighborins
church sounds midnight with heavy
and prolonged strokes; at the same time
he falls exhausted upon his chair, his
head filled with the most monstrous
imaginingS.
After some time passed in profound
stupor, we begin to see the first efforts
of an enfeebled, dissipated frame to re-
assert itself. There is slow and al
most painful attempt to regain it's
equilibrium from the terrible shock it
had sustained. Almost the very first
sensation is a heavy humming in the
ears, which grows gradually feebler
as the blood regains its course. At
last, when the poor creature fairly
comes to himself, he has burning
forehead, a blurred eyesight, and a
heavy head. He tries to fill up the
gaps in his memory made by his In
sensibility; but it seems as if a thick
veil had been drawn across his recol-
lection, and he remembers nothing.
He is very thirsty; his dry throat
makes him sick. The bottle is taken
up once more, and it's remaining
contents are eagerly and quickly
swallowed. Slowly he sinks back
into his place, and complete prostra.
ton re-asserts itself. Atthis moment
the almost consumed candle gives out
vague and uncertain reflections; the
flame grows weaker and weaker, and
finally ges out with a cracking sound,
filling the room with acrid smoke.
The chamber is now inundated
with thick shadows, cut by a ray of
light from a single star, fltering
through the dirty window. There sits
our drunkard, bent together, his arms
hanging aimlessly at his side; the
partially closed eyes almost fixed; the
body perfectly inert, and unable to
move a hairs breadth under the pro-
found stupor which has invaded it.
The ray Of light from the little star
cutting the gloom close by his side,
seems to cause him uneasiness; but
he has not even the power to turn his
gaze away from it.
The bottle has accomplished it's
work. 1t has offered itself, and he
has accepted it. He has borrowed
from it all it's fantasies, all it had to
give Of the brutality of desire. Now
safety has come he is already worse
than the lowest beast, and only a sort
of vague instinct tells him he is drunk.
Suddenly he experiences dreadful
shock; sparks appear before his eyes
and he even imagines himself surround
ed by flames! He is terribly fright
ened he sees around him a circle of
fire; but his feet are like those of a
giant chained to the floor! Fitful
CLEANS of light start from all direc-
tions. Millions of sparks now appear
to be raining down upon his hands, his
face, his neck, without giving out the
slightest impression of heat. Even
the bottle now appears to stand out
luminous.
Breathless with fright, the now
half demented creature strives to cry
out, but is unable to utter a sound.
All at once these impressions pass
away. A sensation of relief flashes
through all his nerves; his breast ex-
pands, his muscles relax. There is a
feeling like that Of floating in air like
body between two waters an invisi-
BILE breath sweeps the shadows from
the oppressed brain, and movement
begins to return slowly. He appears
calm, and with a tranquil face and
free respiration falls into the deep
slumber of an exhausting debauch.
When he awakes it is broad day. a
ray of white sunshine plays upon the
wall, and in it dance millions Of little
atoms. He remains for a long time in
a half stupid state, mechanically pass
ing his hands back and forth over his
moist forehead, and casting a fright
ened look around him. All is in the
same state as Of the evening before;
the bottle planted in the middle of the
table, the empty glass, at the bottom
of which the liquor has left a rose-tint;
further on, in flake of wax, stand the
burned and charred remains of the
candle; and on the floor the pieces of