The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-08-04
Why She Spoke Out.

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related by witness Of the scene.
himself an earnest temperance worker:
1t was meeting of the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union held in
large well-known church in the city
ofP. One after another of the ladies
spoke, and finally one arose who had
hitherto kept silence. She walked
deliberately up the aisle and into the
altar.
There was some surprise, and cur
ious stares, some whispering and half
concealed shrugs and smiles among
the conservative and fashionable
friends of this lady, who doubted the
propriety of this new departure on the
part of one who had been leader in
society. Meanwhile the lady had
faced her audience and spoke substan-
TALLY as follows:
"My friends, most of you who are
here this afternoon, know me. You
know that l have been endeavoring
to work in the temperance cause for
some time, though hitherto l have
never opened my lips. l have seen
your curious looks and smiles as l
rose to speak, but after great strug-
gle l have asked God TO give me
strength to tell my story, and he has
done it. And, my friends, when you
have heard it, you will no longer
wonder why l have come out with the
temperance women"
GAS l said, you all know me. l
have long been familiar with your
highest social circles. None were
behind me in gayety and fashion.
Many of you have been entertained
in my parlors and at my tables, and
and you know the wineglass was never
wanting in either. Perhaps some of
you remember young Charlie X. He
disappeared from social life some time
ago, but while among us, he was the
most witty, most brilliant, most prom
ising young man of our set. He was
the life of the company, and l was
glad to have him in my social gather
ings. Presently noticed that Charlie
seemed eager for the wine, and when
l gave him one glass he was brighter
than before, when l gave him two his
wit and repartee was still more bril-
liant, and when l gave him three or
four, his spirits and vivacity seemed
absolutely dazzling"
"At last one evening he took too
much, and his brilliancy turned to
foolishness, his behavior was ridicu-
lous and Notifying. Next day l
spoke to him seriously about it.
Charlie, my boy, be careful-don't
let this occur again. ooh, you
needn't fear, madam, it never shall ,
And Charlie was gentleman, /
thought, and knew enough to control
himself. But soon after this he was
seen on the street-drunk. Charlie
had disgraced himself, and was no
longer fit company for my guests.
/ ignored him, ever after. He was
never again admitted to my house."
"After this l lost sight of him for
a long time. In fact / had almost
forgotten him, when one day l met
his mother face to face in the street,
and she did rot speak to me. / was
astonished and hurt; / stopped and
demanded to know why she treated
me thus. She looked at me with in.
dignation, and said, you woman,
look into my face and ask me why
refuse to greet you as friend?' 'Yes,
said /, q do want to know why you
pass me in this way' Said she, Come
with me and you shall know She
stopped street car, and we rode on
and on through the city and out OF it
till on the suburbs we came to a
great building in spacious grounds
| 1t was-Insane Hospital. We went
in and passed through ward after
ward. down TO the wing in which the
worst cases were confined. She led
me to little grated door from which
issued horrid yells. looked in, and
there, bowling and tearing his clothes
| .Sa.niar-T caw Charlie