The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-02-24
A Talk 20 the Girls.


This " Temperance question" agitates us stili,
It's various sides have vexed us DER aud Ger
Until We wish the case, so long adiourned,
Were settled once, and settled evermore.
But, Girls! have = word to say 10 you,
We've talked 10 these young until they're tired
While older men have met the burning shafts
From trusty bows, with eloquence inspired.
fsin would tel YOU how 10 bear some part,
Iu the great warfare 'twixt the wrong and right,
Aud how TO shield your future homes from ills
That shadow millions of fair homes tonight
Expect to marry? Why, OF course you do!
You need not blush To have the secret known,
For love is wornan's life, as crowned she sits
Sovereign in the peaceful realm OF home.
"a solemn thing, my child" an cd mar said,
ait is to marry" and she shook her head
and answered Grchly ayes, know it well,
Bat not 10 marry, that is sc!eInner STILL
But, without Testing, this your prospect home
Is gwen cen now into your own control,
1t rests within your hands to turn tine scale,
From lawloss knave, 70 OF honest soul.
'ris bitterest paDg TO think loving heart
Must bear the anguish of n blighted life;
The ssddest sight earth knows, drnnsard's wife
read an incident the other day,
That came-s beacon from some sitter town,
70 light the pathway for some fainter hear,
Aud turn the feet from hillside, soIing down.
maiden, in the glory OF bride,
Stood at the altar, by her chosen LORD;
with feet that pressed life's flowers felt thorn
srbo Tow 10. pria s'. ppit NO ord
yrne hand that lay Lightly on his arm
He clssrod, 70 crown with ring of rares gold,
But with the love-wors dropped the poisoned breath,
That demon guardians could no longer hold.
The maiden caught her breath in anguished fear,
she felt the floor beneath her rend and eroan,
H. ii TO swallow up LIES cherished hopes,
Ana bury deep her sancy pictured home.
j. that brief moment thoughts came swift ana clear,
she saw the roses whitening from her life,
She felt the dust and gloom of darkened years,
Herself that piteous wreck, drunkard's wife.
bridegroom and Priest are waiting, wondering all
The assembled guests, who watch the pallied face,
OF that fair GIRL who, silent az the dead,
Has moved not from the affairs sacred place.
Again the question comes, twice asked before,
Tskest thou this man thy choice OF all 10 De?
TO share thy burdens, blending with his own,
Thy life, till death ut last, psrt him and thee?
Back to her whitened lips thecoior comes,
The dark eye flashes With unwonted glow
The wedding ring clinks on the marble foor,
And proud lips answer in their triumph, No!
And then she raised her trembling hand to Heaven,
Where lay her strength In this strange trial hour
And cried 40, God ! hear thou my solemn vow,
Thou who canst shelter from the tempter's power.
"yo lips shall ever prese my own that hold
The cruel glass between their love and mine;
No hand III trust to guide me DER life's ses,
Whose other hand lie weak from love Of vine!"
THERE'S courage for you, girls! and q, ~ all
Would copy such example wise and brave,
We would not weep 60 OF for ruined homes,
Nor sorrov Ger 20 many y drunsari's gravel
An! WE'LL need not think that love will win,
Nor need YOU think your love will bar the door
Between you and the foe, for broken bolts
Have we'll dissolved the fancy DER and DER.
And II, in coming year,, there come to you
One, in whose hand IL held the golden key
That would unlock the heart you guard 20 well,
And lead you forth to meet your destiny.
Beware! /; cen you guess the tyrsnt rum
Holds him q servant with his stronger will,
To do his bidding; If he love, beyond
His love for you the hAunts that lure him still.
q, then, il love you prize, and hope, srd home,
Turn from the paths that ever downward go;
Stand in the dignity God has given,
Nor fear to render decided "No!"
ANNA BARTON, Alinens, Mich.