Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-03-31
A TEMPERANCE STORY.
BY TIMOTHY blake.

John Simpson was the aon oi poor
widow. His father died when he was quite
Young, leaving his mother and three lit
lie ones TO struggle for mn existence. Mrs.
Simpson being oI proud nature labored
early and late TO provide her children with
u comfortable living. At the age OF II
years the growing wants OF the family
compelled John to seek for employment
which he obtained in neighboring store
M errand boy. Being honest and truth
iul he soon won the confidence Of his EN-
plover. After while he was promoted to
a cierkship, and then to bookkeeping.
Johns noble qualities endeared him to
all his friends and acluaintances. 1t WAS
NOTED that at public and pivate enter.
ailments he was always accompanied by
his mother and sister, and he seemed very
much devoted to them. Everybody re-
marked that the Simpson family WAS in-
deed happy one. But the halo of peace
and happiness was not long permitted to
remain with them.
The small town in which they lived was
astir with the announcement that II Mr..
Benedict, a nun of means from neigh
boring city, had circulated petition for
a license To open genteel hotel. His pc
tition was supported by Dea. Adams and
several prominent church members and
men OF the town, and was, after sume OPP
position, granted. Mr.. Benedict was an
entcrprising man and determined to push
things SO he ndvertined that on certain
ay he would have a grand opening, pro-
viding for his patrons good lunch and
free drinks. The day arrived. Quite a
number of the young men went there more
| a.. e.. I'll, Il
| drinks. Among the number was John
Simpson. Some of the influential men OF
the place were there, ns well as some row.
dies who chanced to drop ir. Things went
as merry US a wedding feast until I'm alter
| cation occurred between one OF the young
men who had drank too much and one OF
the rowdies. Hot words passed. and the
rowdy, picking up bottle, threw it at him
The young man dodged it, and it struck
John Simpson, cutting terrible cash in
the temple. The crowd wasliorror struck
John fell headlong to the floor, the blood
flowing profusely. His wound was dress
ed and then they carried him home ON q
stretcher. He remained unco nscious unit
the next day when he died. They buriet
him by the side of his father. The maI
who threw the bot le WAS arrested, triet
and convicted and sentenced to the peni
lentiary for life. The proprietor OF th'
hot el after several months closed his plac
and removed from town.
And thus closed the life OF yonng maj
whose future was bright, who was believe,
by all, and who WAS the support OF hi
mother and two sisters
Over in yonder cemetery lies John Simp
son. A neat head stone marks his grave
The flowers are blooming around him
The branches OF weeping willow, moves
by the wind, wave gracefully over him
The birds are singing merrily in the tree,
He heeds them not. The spring has come
but not to him. Not far of stands mn ia
sane asylum. John Simpsons mother
in it. She is II raving maniac. Daily he
curses go up against the man who opene
that saloon. But he IL not the only one /
blame The responsibility OF this deaf
rests as well with the church deacon nn
members and all who signed Mr.. Benedict
petition for license. Some said John
death was II dispensa.ion OF Providence
But, friends, we do not believe Providenc
! employs saloons, whisky bottles and drnml
, en- men 10 strike down good anditrne youn
men. No; it WIS victory for Satan, an
his chief inst slrumcnlalily in running MAJ
, kind-aleohul.
Friends, II seems 10 h6 that ut fOme IL
iure day there will be a hell. We ha,
Q faith To believe 30. And when il comes
its fiery magnitude, the most uncomlorl
bic part OF it-or, to speak plainly-tl
Z hottest part Of twill be reserved f'
II church ,lencons and members who lei
their influence 10 the accursed rum tratii
: Why do we say lhis2 The Bible says !
= drunknrd shall enter the kingdom OF hen
= Ell. This being the case, do you supPo
: God will recognize would.be Chrislia
y who lend encouragement and aid To n ira
c that keeps their fellow man ont Of hea
G en-, and sends him headlong to hell? III
good book charges us to be our brother
= keeper. When men drag themselves dow
: and their families, too, as they do by III
e demon alcohol, it is our duty to reno
y the cause. And that can be done by pr
d hibilory laws. Ii we do not,
L. ''He who trod the wine press red,
II Meath dark ming skies"
II will say, depart from me. Ye knew yo
il duty and did il not p