The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-04-15
oial eclat in party, and wanted my

social eclat in party, and wanted my
share.
"Wine, and brandy, and all ?" said my
husband.
eve cannot help ourselves. II is the
custom of society; and society is RESPONSE
BILE, not we.''
There is such thing as individual re-
sponsibility," returned my husband. GAS
to social responsibility, it is..an intangible
thing-very we'll to talk about, but reach
ed by no law, either of conscience or the
statute book. You and. l, and every other
living soul must answer to God for what
We do. No custom or law of society will
save us from the consequences of our own
acts. So far we stand alone.''
"But if society bind us to certain line
of action, what are we to do i? Ignore So
cietyP"
"lf we must ignore society or con-
science, what then !? T"
His calm eyes were on my face. "I'm
afraid" said l, "that you are magnifying
this thing into an undue Importance.
He sighed heavily, and dropped his
eyes away from mine. l watched his
countenance, and saw the shadows of un-
easy thought gathering about his lips and
forehead.
at is always BEST" he remarked" to
consider the probable consequences OF
what we intend doing. If we give this
party, one thing is certain
"What?"
"That boys and young men, some OF
them already in the ways that lead to
drunkenness and ruin, will be enticed to
drink. We will put temptation to their
lips, and smilingly invite them to taste
its dangerous sweets. By our example,
We will make drinking respectable. II
we serve wine and brandy to our guests,
young and old, male or female, what do
we less than the dram seller in the town
Shall we condemn him, and ourselves be
blameless Do we ca his trade social
evil of the direct character, and yet ply
our guests with the same tempting stimu-
lants that his wretched customers crowd
his bar-room to obtain ?"
l was borne down by the weight OF
what my husband said. l saw the evil
that was involved in this social use OF
wines and liquors which he SO strongly
condemned. But, alas that must say it.
neither principle nor conscience were
strong enough to overcome my weak de.
sire to keep in good standing with my
fashionable friends. wanted to give a
party, l felt that must give party,
Gladly would | have dispensed with Ii.
quors; but had not the courage to de-
part from the regular Older OF things. Sc
decided to give the party. Every well
Agnes" said my husband, when the fina
decision was made. ''If the thing has t.
be done, let it be we'll and literally done. ,
had very dear friend, Mrs. Deur
man. AS school girls, we were warml,
attached to each other, and as we grew
older our friendship became closer ant
tenderer. Marriage, that separates 81
many, did not separate us. Our lots wer,
cast in the same city and in the same so
cial circle. She had an only son, a youni
man of fine intellect and much promise
in whom her life seemed bound up. HI
went into the army at an early period o
the war, and held the rank of SECOND
lieutenant, conducting himself bravely
A slight but disabling wound sent hin
home short time previous to the sur
render of Lee, and before he was vel
enough to join his regiment, 1t was mus
tered out Of service.
fro RE CONTINUED