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. was q
child at the time, some ten years of age
Our home had every comfort, and my
kind parents idolized me, their only
child. Wine was often on the table, and
both my father aud mother gave it to me
from the bottom Of their morning glass
One Sabbath, at our church, startling
announcement was made 20 our people,
knew nothing of it's purpurt, but there
was much whispering Among the men
The pastor said that on the next evening
there would be meeting and an address
upnn the evils of intemperance end the
use of all alcoholic liquors. He express
! cd himself ignorant of the meeting and
could not say what course it would be
best TO pursue in the matter.
The subject of the meeting came up at
our table after service, and I questioned
my father about it with all tho curious
earnestness of q child. The whisper and
words which had been dropped in my
hearing, clothed the whole affair in great
mystery to me, and was all earnestness
TO learn of the strange thing. My father
merely said 1t was scheme to unite the
Church and State.
The night came and groups of people
gathered on the tavern steps, and !
heard the jest and laugh, and ssw drunk
en- men come reeling out of the bar.room.
l urged my father to let me 60, but he at
first refused. Finally, thinking it would
be an innocent qualification Of my curl.
osity, he put on his hat and we passed
the green 70 the church. we'll remem.
ber how the people appeared as they
came in, seeming to wonder what kind
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 o fair house full. All
were curiously watching the door aud ap.
parently wondering what would appear
next. The parson stole in and took his
seat behind the pillar in the gallery, as
II 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 we're 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 we'll formed.
The younger had the manner and dress
Of clergyman, full round face, and a
quiet, good.natured air, ss 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 strode 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 End came over
his pale cheek, and there vas wide scar
just above the right eye.
The younger man stated the object OF
the meeting, and asked if there was q
clergyman present TO say prayer. Our
pastor aept his seat, and the pIuunclu.
self made short at!dssy- one tc make
sion caliiuHe pastor arose under the
sanery, and attacked the position of tie
speaker, using the arguments have often
heard since, and concluded by dcnounc.
ing. those engaged in the movement Us
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 wss
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
above his fellows aud his chest heaying as
he breathed through his thin, dilated
nostrils. TO ME; at that time, there was
an at bi,n, ouvo Sno irfpo ;,, Tho o,-oo.
ance of the old man as he stood, his full,
shut hard, and silence like that of
death throughout the church. He bent
his gaze upon the tavern. keeper, and that
peculiar eye fingered and kindled for O
moment. The brow flushed, and beneath
his heavy brows his eyes glittered aid
glowed like serpent's. The tavern.
Keeper queiled before that searching
glance, and felt relief when the old
man withdrew his gaze. For moment
he seemed lost in thought, and then, in
low tremulous tone he commenced.
There was depth in that voice; a thrill.
ing sweetness aud pathos which riveted
every heart in the church before the frat
period had been sounded. My fathers
attention had become fixed upon the
speaker with an interest siasl never be.
fore seen him exhibit. I can but briefly
remember the substance of what the old
man said, though the scene IL still vivid
before me. He spoke after this fashion :
my friends, I aln stranger in your
village, but trust may call you my
friends. A new star has arisen, aud
there Is hope in the dark night that hangs
like pail of gloom over our country" )"
With thrilling voice the speaker con.
tinued: 20 God, thou who looked with
compassion upon the most erring of
earth's s,ail children, I thank. thee q
brazen. serpess. Ess !:ss been ias1 ;:fS fS, sapo:
which o drunkard may look and be heal.
ed that beacon has burst ont upon the
darkness that surrounds him, which shall
give him back 10 honor and heayen-.the
bruised and weary wanderer."
1t 10 strange what power there is In
some voices. The speaker's voice was
low and measured, but O tear trembled
in every. tone, and before / knev why, q
tear dropped on my hand, followed by
others like n.dropS., The old n,ai,
brushed his eyes and continued
Men and Christians, you have i,iat
heard that am q fanatic. J I am not Ga
God knows my own heart and With tears
in my eyes have journeyed over q dark
and bea,soDless ocean, and all of life's
brightest hopes hayo been wrecked. I
am Withtut friends, Kindred or homei
was not 30 Snce.n
Not enc could stand tho touching
pathos OF the old man. noticed tears
In my fathers eyes and no longer fel.
ashamed Of my own.
ssNaw, my friends, was not so once.
Away over the dark waves which have