The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-03-11
Written for the HEBALD1
A STORY TOLD BY a STU
DENT.
BY T. B. MILLER.
Continued.

the girl in Sob-DrOken voice, Q0n
make such a rash VOW. IT'S far better
to never make voWi tnan risk tn
breaking. Make a firm resolve to
overcome the evil habit. A good
resolution, once forgotten, may be
renewed without loss OF self respect;
but VOW can never be recalled, and
if you fail, the lack of confidence in
sour own strength, the consciousness
that you have sinned il the sight OF
heaven will only serve to drive you
into the very depths OF intemper-
ance."
''I thank sou, Oracle for tie sssur.
ance OF love your words convey"
exclaimed Ralph, say that you for
give me, that you will forget my
folly. This will give me strength to
know that I have your confidence
and love will be a stronger incentive
to resist temptation tnsn any thing
else on EARTH"
''Your greatest incentive, dear
Ralph, should be 20 save yourself
from The depths OF degradation to
which an indulgence in drink will
most certainly bring you. Look
around you, observe the condition Of
those who have permitted their ap-
petite for stimulants to overcome
them, mark the depth OF social deg
radiation to which they have fallen
and make q manful resolution to abb
stain from the evil, and | am conf
dent that you will overcome the
growing love for intoxi eating drink.
You have everything to assist you in
the struggle-youth, your prospects
ia life, the oountenanee and assist
snce of those who who are your best
friends. Loving you as / do, dear
Ralph, | could not help suffering
deeply on your account; but remem.
Der the sad experience l have had at
home. Father doesn't drink now and
none could be more a8ectionste
and kind than he, and yet, although
be has not tasted liquor for years,
when he stays out unusually late we
trembls With fear at his coming, sp>
rehensive that the demon of drink
may have again taken possession OF
him the old agoniziog scenes be
again enacted"
[ reiterated from my post OF obser-
walton through the garden, and soon
after from my study window saw the
young couple walking arm in arm
towards Graoe's home az if a perfect
reconciliation had been effected. For
some months after this things
seemed to move smoothly with the
lovers, Ralph. avoiding those of
his associates who were in the habit
OF trequenting saloons and tosrll sp-
peGranGes keeping his VOW 10 abstain
from liquor. and l was no; surprised
Wnen told that the marriage day had
been set. During these months |
met Grace and her lover one evening
at place OF public amusement; her
face was isdan. with affection; her
eyes lustrious with pride and hap
piness; her whole being seemed ami
mated, her remarkable beauty
heightened by the elixir of love. AS
l gssed on the proud happy face Of
the yonng girl, Burns apothegm,
Man was made 70 mourn forced it.
self like an unweloome guest into
my mind and | wondered il this
young beautiful being In whose rose
tinted sky of happiness not cloud
was visible, was doomed to press the
cup o. humsn misery to her lips.
Alas, that human hopes and anLio.
ipations should be dashed to the
ground even IN the moment of their
iruitioul The clouds, although in
visible, existed and all too soon the
horizon of Grace r - eky of hap.
piness was destined TO be dark ned
by their gominous blsckuess; her
bright vision OF future joy to be dis
PEELED by Che fiat mutterings of the
approaching storm of sorrow. One
evening while passing down Main
street, I saw Ralph coming out OF a
saloon in company with two other
young fellows, former associates OF
his, we'll known for their dissipated
hsbits. Ralph, perceived, had been
drinking to excess, aud showed un-
mistskable signs of intoxicaticn. As
he paused for a moment OF the side
walk he caught my eye and crim
son flush Of shame manted his face
sp6shis eyes assumed cold, hard
expression, as if he realized thas be
had disgrsced nis manhood and was
determined to brazen it through. The
party INDUCED in q great deal OF
noisy merriment So they passed down
the street ahead of me, and when
they reached the corner, in the full
glare Of the street lamp, Ralph stag
gered and rutly iostled against a
couple OF ladies who were passing by.
The ladies half turning, glanced into
his face and one of them gave l3W
exclamation expressive OF pain and
amazement. 1t was Grace R -.
The exclamation attracted Ralph's
attention and he looked backward,
halted and then stepped toward her;
bat Grace, her face white with q
death.like pallor, drew back and
3lung convulsively to her oompan-
ions arm. Ralph, noticing the
movement of aversion and divining
its import, gave vent to a coarse
brutal laugh of derision and wheeling
around staggered of to reioin his
companions.
1 was not surprised to hear, few