Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-07-04
s'Not a Drop More, Daniel,

Daniel Akin had become confirmed
drunkard. So fully had he come under
the dominion of the bottle, that he was
perfectly miserable when he could not
obtain the means of gratifying his thirst
He had neglected his family till his
wife's father had taken her and the chill
dren to the paternal roof. He spent all
his substance in drink, and was kept
from the poor. house only by performing
menial service for his food, and by the
kindness of Thomas Edgerton, a devout
member of the Society of Friends, who
had known him from his youth, who
had a strong hope that, in the course of
time, he would see his folly and turn
again into the right path.
Hoskins, the leading ljquor-seller of
the place, had let him have drink so
long as his money lasted, but would
trust him no longer. He was lounging
about the saloon one bright moonlight
evening, pleading with the keeper to
trust him for drink. His reply was
sharp and unfeeling:
''NOt drop more, Daniel!
He remained while longer and then
left. AS the cool air of the evening fell
upon him, he, all at once, gave utter
ance to his feelings in the following
strain:
"'Not drop more, Daniel Am
drunk or sober? 1 am sober. Not a
drop more, Daniel Did Hoskins think
drop would hurt me? No; but my
money was gone. He has got all-got
everything I had even the Bible my
mother gave me! He has got the boots
which my wife, with her own earnings,
bought Jennie. Not q drop more,
Daniel Daniel, what do you say to
that? say so, too. I once had good
clothes, but now I have nothing but
rags. Not drop more, Daniel till ]
have clothes again as good as when
Mary and 1 were married. L once had
a good watch, but that too is gone!-
Not drop more, Daniel till I have
another as good as the one I pawned tc
Hoskins for drink. 1 have seen the day
when had good horse and buggy, and
could ride into town in as good style al
any man in the place. Not droE
more, Daniel till have another horse
and buggy as good as once had. I once
had cows that furnished my family with
butter and cheese, but Hoskins has got
them. Not drop more, Daniel till
those cows, or others as good, are mine
again. 1 once had this wallet full Of
bills but now not a cent have 1 GOT
Not drop more, Daniel till this wal.
let is we'll filled again."
By this time he had reached Che place
where the formerly resided, and leaning
up against the fence he mused long
time in silence. He viewed the desOlate
place by the light of the moon, and hi.
eyes ranged over the house and farm
once his own. He then said to himself
"Once 1 owned this house and farm
Here I was born. Here my father anG
mother died. I was the pride of theil
hearts; but brought down their gray
hairs with sorrow to the grave! Here
began my married life; and all tha
heart could wish was mine. Here Mary
and took comfort together till Hoskins
came and opened his rum-shop; an(
now he calls it his. In that south room
my children were born, and there Jen.
ME died. Oh! how sorrowful she look
ed when she saw me take her boots and
start for the store to pawn them for rum
while she lay sick upon the bed. AnG
then how she begged for me never t.
strike her mother again! can see he
Dow-her pale, her wasted form-bu
she cannot come to me again. And oh
my wife how shamefully abused her
1t was not your Daniel JnaG Ola IL. NO
it was Hoskins' rum that did it! N,
wonder you were taken away from M
by those who loved you, and would no
see you abused. They won't have MI
in the house. They won't let me iv'
with you. Not drop more, Daniel,
till this house is mine again. Not
drop more, Daniel till these broa'
acres are again in my possession, ant
the wife and children that are living ar
in yonder rooms, and we are happ.
family once more. Not q drop NOR
Daniel, so help me God, till all thes
things are accomplished! I thank you
Hoskins, for these words. shall no
forget them"
He had become so much occupied witt
his thoughts, and spoken in tone 9
loud that he had not noticed the wagon
which, by this time, had reached tn