Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-04-15

Children all love nice stories. So
here is one of the old times. And
it is a true one, and they are the
only ones ! like. / have heard it
told by one of the family, an obi
friend of mine. A half century or
so ago, Temperance in cities was
not common, and almost every
house had a sidebOdrd covered with
the most beautiful glassware, de-
canters, tumblers, and cordial stands
filled with fine brandies and cor
dials, and the host and his friends
poured from the decInters into the
tumblers and drank from them with
hearty good will. Christian houses
these were, whose owners held fam
lily worship at home, and were in
their seats at the mouse OF God. Old
men and women, young men and
maIdens, all partOok and OCCASION
ally were to say the least, eXhilir-
ated. Still there seemed to be no
thought of danger. In city of the
West there lived a family of more
than usual character. The father,
cultivated, courteous, and Chris
tian by profession and walk, hav-
ing no thought of danger for him
self, did not see any for his associ
ateS. His wife observation-disclosures
he did was perfect, lived on in that
confidence for about fifteen years.
God had given to them five daugh-
tiers and a son. The parents had
educated and trained them to ODE
dience, love to God, and love to
their fellow beings. But to take a
sip of cordial, to give it to friends,
To take a little tOddy themselves
WAS a part of Christian hospitality
of the day. Even preachers would
90 to the side-bOard and takeH "glass
of sOmthing," after calling in from
a long walk. The mother began to
look on these ways as not wise ways,
not sure ways. She read in her
Bible, -'Wine is Il mOckeTy strong
drink is raging, and whatsoever is
deceived thereby is not wise" "Be
not among wine bibbers my son."
The little son at her knees, the
daughters growing rapidly up to
wOmanhOOd, soon to be launched
into society for good or cvil-what
could she do to avert the evil? She
pODdered all these things in her
own heart. She kept her own cOun-
sci. one morning Mr.. q. came into
the room with the tumbler of tOddy.
ut was his custom to bring it in,
hand it To Mrs. G., who took a sip,
then he drank, the eldest after him,
going on down TO the little son who
got the SUGAR. This morning he
handed ii smilingly to Mrs. q. She
refused it by a shake of the head.
lie looked ut her in amazemnt.
"ATe YOU sick old lady; why, you
have to sWeetCn il for the rest of us,
don't she, chiIden?" al will never
SWeeten the accused stuff again,
and will never, so help me God, Of
fer it to the lips of any living soul,
while live" she answered. "What
is the matter, are you afraid | will
drink too much?" "Nes, l am
afraid of myself, of you, and | do
not sleep, for the horrible thought if
this drinking goes on, this precious
son will fill Il drunkard'S grave, and
these daughters will all marry drink
ing men. | have resolved l will do
my part" "Well, my wife, we
will all 90 your way. Here goes
the tumblers, decanters, contents
and ALL" So saying, he took them
To an open door, threw them on to
the pavement, broken to pieces.
"NOw let Us every one sign pledge.
I Will write one, your name goes
first, mine and the children after"
ii was done and that family eS-
chewCd all drinks ever after. And
the timid, meek mother, moved by
the fear Of God, and the power of
mother love, did this great good,
and her Father in heaven blessed
her for it. Mothers, all go and do
likewise. What an influence WO-
man YIELDS for good, or for evil!