The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-08-13
THE OLD MANS STORY.

shall never forget the commencement
of the temperance reformation. vas
child at the time, some ten years of age
Our home had every comfort, and m.
kind parents idolized me, their onl.
child. Wine was often on the table, ant
both my father and mother gave it to M
from the bottom of their morning glass
One Sabbath, at OUT church, startling
announcement was made 10 our people
l knew nothing of its purport, but ther'
was much whispering among the men
The pastor said that on the next evening
there would be meeting and an address
upon the evils of intemperance aud TIT
use of all alcoholic liquors. He express
cd himself ignorant of the meeting ant
could not say what course it would b.
best to pursue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came mp a
our table after service, and | questioned
my father about it with all the curious
earnestness of child. The whisper ant
words which had been dropped in mJ
hearing, clothed the whole affair in grea
mystery to me, and was all earnestnes:
to learn of the strange thing. My fathe
merely said it was scheme to unite tht
Church and State.
The night came and groups of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and
heard the jest and laugh, and saw drunk
en- men come reeling out of the bar.room
I urged my father to let me 60, but he q!
first refused. Finally, thinking it would
be an innocent qualification of my curl
osity, he put on his hat and ne passed
the green to the church. I we'll remem
Der how the people appeared as they
came in, seeming to wonder what kino
of an exhibition was TO come off. In the
corner was the tavern.keeper and around
him number of friends. For an hour
the people of the place continued to come
in till there was a fair house full. All
were curiously watching the door and ap
parently wondering what would appear
next. The parson stole in and took his
seat behind the pillar in the gallery, az
if doubtful of the propriety Of being in
the church at all.
Two men finally came in and went for
ward to the altar and took their seats
All eyes were fixed upon them, and q
general stiffness prevailed throughout the
church. The men were unlike in ap.
pcarance, one short, thick.set in bis
build, and the other tall and well formed
The younger had the manner and dress
of clergyman, full round face, and a
quiet, good.natured air. as he leisurely
looked around upon his audience. But
my childish interest was in the old man.
His broad, deep chest, an unusual height,
looked giant.like as he strobe up the
aisle. His hair was white; his brow
deeply furrowed, and around his hand
some mouth were lines of calm and
touching sadness. His eyes we're black
and restless; his lips were compressed
and crimson flush went and came over
his pale cheek, and there was wide seal
just above the right eye.
The younger man stated the object o.
the meeting, and asked if there was 8
clergyman present to say prayer. .Ou]
pastor kept his seat, and the spea}5onclu.
self made short aadrfyy~one t. make
sion callin4o pastor arose under the
tsanefy, and attacked the position of the
speaker, using the arguments I have often
heard since, and concluded by denounc-
ing those engaged in the movement as
meddlesome fanatics, who wished to
break up the time-honored usages OF
good society and injure the business
of respectable men.
At the conclusion of his remarks the
tavern-keeper and his friends got up q
cheer. and the current of feeling was
evidently against the strangers and their
plan. While the pastor was speaking,
the old man leaned forward and fixed his
dark eyes upon him as if to catch every
word. As the pastor took his seat the
old man arose, his tall form towering
above his fellows and his chest heaying as
he breathed through his thin, dilated
nostrils. 10 me, at that time, there was
something awe.inspiring in the appear
ance Of the old man as he stood, his full
dark eye upon the audience, his teeth
shut hard, and silence like that OF
death throughout the church. He bent
his gaze upon the tayern.keeper, and that
peculiar eye fingered and kindled for q
moment. The brow flushed, and beneath
his heavy brows his eyes glittered and
glowed like serpent's. The tavern
Keeper quailed before that searching
glance, and I felt relief when the old
man withdrew his gaze. For moment
he seemed lost in thought, and then, in
q low tremulous tone he commenced
There was depth in that voice; a thrill.
ing sweetness and pathos which riveted
every heart in the church before the first
period had been sounded. My fathers
attention had become fixed upon the
speaker with an interest l had never be-
fore seen him exhibit cantbut briefly
remember the substance of what the old
man said, though the scene is still vivid
before me. He spoke after this fashion
"My friends, I am stranger in your
village, but I trust may call you my
friends. A new star has arisen, and
there is hope in the dark night that hangs
like pail of gloom over our country
With a thrilling voice the speaker con-
tinued: 20 God, thou who looked with
compassion upon the most erring Of
earth's frail children, thank thee
brazen. serpent has been lifted up, upon
which drunkard may look and be heal
ed that beacon has burst out upon the
darkness that surrounds him, which shall
give him back to honor and heaven-the
bruised and weary wanderer."
It is strange what power there ia IN
some voices. The speakers voice VA:
low and measured, but tear tremblct
in every tone, aud before l knew why, .
tear dropped on my hand, followed by
others like rain.drops. The old mar
brushed his eyes and continued:
"AIen and Christians, you have JUS
heard that ! am a fanatic. l am not, az
God knows my own heart, and with tears
in my eyes I have journeyed over o darl
and beaconless ocean, and all of life!
brightest hopes have been wrecked.
am without friends, kindred or home!
was not 80 once"
Not one could stand the touching
pathos of the old man. noticed tear
in my fathers eyes and no longer fel
ashamed of my own.