Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-07-26
"Not a Drop More, Daniel

Daniel Akin had become a 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 10 The parental roof. He spent all
his substance in drink, and was KEEP
| fiom the poor-house only uy performing
menlal service for his food, and by the
kindness of Thomas Edgerton, cevout
member Of the Society of Friends, who
had known him from his youth, who
had strong hope that, in the course ol
time, he would see his folly and turn
again into the right path.
Hopkins. the leading llquor-seller o.
the place, had let him have drink ST
long as his money lasted, but wou.C
trust him no longer. He was lounglng
about the saloon one bright moonlight
evening, pleading with the keeper 10
trust him for a drink. His reply wa;
sharp and unfeeling.
Not a 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 ut
terancc to his feelings in the following
strain:
Not drop more, Daniel Am
drunk or sober? ! am sober, Not a
drop more, Daniel Did Hosklns
think q drop would hurt me? No; but
my money was gone. He has got all
got everything | had; even the Bible
my mother gave me! He has got the
boots which my wife, with her own
earnings, bought Jennie. Not a drop
more, Daniel Daniel. what do you
say to that? l say so, too.
once had good clothes but now l
have nothing but rags. Not a
drop more, Daniel TIL l have clothes
az ain as good as when Mary and | were
married. l once had good watch, but
that 100 is gone! Not dIop more,
Daniel, till l have another as good as
the one pawned to Hoskins for drink
l have seen the day when l Lad good
horse and buggy, and could ride !ntt
town IN as good style as any man in
the place. Not drop more, Daniel,
till have another horse and buggy as
Ironce bad. l once had cows that
furnished my family with sbultel
and cheese, but Hoskins has got them
Not a drop more, Daniel till those
COWS or others as good, are mine again
| | once had this wallet full Of bills; bu
now not cent have l got. Not
| drop more, Daniel TIL this wallet il
well filled again.
By this time he had reached the plac'
where lie formerly resided, and leaning
up against The fence he unused a lonl
time in silence. He viewed the desc
late place by the light Of the moon
and his eyes ranged over the house auC
farm once his own. He then said Il
himself: Once owned this house ant
farm. Here l was born. Here M.
father and mother died. l was th'
pride of their hearts; but | hrough
down their gray hairs with sorrow t
the grave! Here L began my marie
life: and all that heart could wish wa
mine. Here Mary and took comior
together till Hoskins came aud opene'
his rum-shop; and now be calls it his
In that south room my children wer
born, and there Jennie died. Oh! hoV
sorrow ful she looked when she saw m
take her boots and start for the store Il
ipawn them for rum, while she lay slcI
pnon the bed. And then how sh
begged me never 10 strike her mothe
again! l can see her now-her pale, he
wasted form-but she cannot come T.
I me again. And oh! my vile! ho
shamelully / abused her! 1t was Nc
your Daniel that did it. No IL wa
Hosklns' rum that did 1t! No wonde
you were taken away from me by thos
who loved you, and would not see yo
abused. They won't let me live VIII
YOU. Not drop mere, Daniel! u
lb,s house is nine again. Not a dro
more. Daniel till these broad acres al
again IN my possession, and the VII
and children that are living are in yond'
lrooms. and we are happy family ono
Imore. Not drop more Daniel 8
help me God, TILL all these things al
accomplished! thank you, Hoskir
for these words. l shall not forge
them.
He had become so much occupIe
with his thoughts, and spoke in toI
; so loud that he had sot noticed u
Q wagon, which, by this time, had reacne
. the road, ia which was seated the kin'
r hearted Quaker before mentioned. L
E stopped bis horse and heard distinct
D. the language Daniel used. AS he clos'
his soliloquy, he turned and say Thou
as Edgcrton, who said:
Daniel, does thee mean to keep I'll
vow?
> Yes, friend E'lcertcn, do
:: Thee has promised a great ma
! times lhee'd drink no more; wn
-. 49, th;n6 fhQo will keen u