The Fremont County record., 1883-01-13
TEMPERANCE.
A Column Devoted to This Most I'm.
pOrtant Subject.
The Evil OF Treating where Rum
Drinking Leads One.

During score of years association, more
or less familiar, with drinking men and in
drinking places, the writer has become
firmly convinced, by actual experience, that
the social system of treating y" setting
EN- up as it is vulgarly called-has
wrought more evil to young, sociaile, gem
erous-hearted men than any other influence
ever brought to bear to entice such into the
meshes of the web of intemperance. The
moral young man, whose social character
istics are prominent, is often made the vic
tim of this practice solely from a desire to
be as generous as his compartments lib
eral with his money as they. 4 number OF
these young men meet frequently to spend
their leisure hours in recreation and en-
joyment. A rum-shop-incorrectly styled
a " saloon us, for want of n better place,
in most western towns, made their rendez-
yous. Billiards, chess, checkers, cards, and
other intrinsically innocent amusemeuts,
are engaged in. Then one proposes that
his companions join him in 4 social glass;
The timid, moral young man, with the
vision of his loved mothers anxious, tear
lli iA1iLA- DS4tIE l4iaI
of her parting words still stamped upon
his heart, at once declines but, after re-
peated solicitations and satirical illusions
TO his piety, he yields, and timidly takes
something mild The ice is broken, and
upon each subsequent occasion less per-
suasion is required. The mothers fond look
departs from his vision, and the dregs of
even mild drinks" are rapidly covering
the tablets of his heart with the dust of
forgetfulness. Step by step his own gener-
Gus, social impulses are leading him on. He
begins to believe he cannot be truly agree
able and polite if he does not join his COM
panions in their imbibitions and also invite
them to drink at his expense. Thus the
habit and infatuation grow with the years,
as age and familiarity with the haunts fire.
quented creep stealthily on. He embarks
in business with these ideas of sociability
wrought into his very nature In active
life every good bargain driven or advan-
tageous sale or purchase made must needs
be congratulated by visit TO the nearest
bar, and wet with the gaily-quaffed
glass in the bottom of which turks unseen
the demon who viii, sooner or later. bind
him body, and SOUL in his iron grasp. The
whole system is demoralizing. 1t is a GUS
tom born of mistaken ideas of character-
practice which sinks more fortunes, ruins
moro lives, and eternally damns more souls
than all the crimes known TO the decalogue.
The habit of drinking, once formed, re-
quires more stamina to throw Off than
most boasted moderate drinkers possess.
We are aware that many who read this ar
ticle viii laugh and scott at the sentiment
therein expressed. But we know its truth
alas too we'll And we would remind all
such that, could the poor, besotted wretch,
whose disgusting presence they abhorred
in life, now filling n paupcr-drunkard'
grave, but speak from his dark and cheer
less abode, he would point the slow, I'M
moving finger of admonition at the unwary
tippler. and eNclaim-.
=" Scoffer, bewareI
], in this grave, was once moderate
drinker" tool - II. q. II.