The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-02-05
TEMPERANCE READING.
ONE GLASS OF WINE.

Ehe Fearful Woes Resulting from this
Wiilful Spirit of Thoughtiess Girl.
As was coming up the Hudson with
a small party of friends a few sum-
mers ago, an incident occurred which
impressed me so deeply that 1 write it
, out for the benefit of the readers of the
Christian at Work.
1t was July, hot and dusty; but as
yet there had not come that intense
heat and drouth that parches the earth
and causes the verdant forest and
meadow to grow brown and sere.
We took the day boat to Albany, and
all day long breatl.ed the delicious air
and Toasted our eyes on the ever-vary-
ing landscape. A large proportion of
the passengers were ladies. many of
whom were seeking rest and quietude
in the country. There were tired
school-teaehers who had but yesterday
locked the doors of their class-rooms
for the long vacation, to whom this
free gladstone day was a foretaste of
Heaven. A party of young girl artists,
too, were there, with eager ewes and
deft, rapid fingers. There is something
peculiarly pleasant about travelling by
water, aside from the scenery or any
external matter. There seems to be an
atmosphere of friendlness and good
fellowship that we are not wont to ex-
perience when journeying by rail. No
matter what our station in life, or
where our home, for the time being
we are on the same level, and are ia
miliar acquaintance.
1t so CHANGED that one of ournumber
took up morning paper and read
aloud an account of vigorous Tenn.
perance movement in one of the interi-
or States. Comments and some dis
cussion followed. One after another
joined in the conversation until in that
part of the boat it became general.
All the ladies protested Temperance
principles, but held quite diverse opin-
ions as to the best methods of advdnc-
ing the cause. Some believed in total
abstinence and would include tobacco
in the pledge. Others would draw the
line between distilled and fermented
liquors, claiming that wine and beer
were not only harmless but healthful
in their effect. The latter class made
frequent illusions to DIR. Howard Cros-
by and his reformatory work
During the discussion, which grew
warmer and warmer, lady, whom we
had noticed as apparently alone and
unacquainted, drew near and listened
with eager attention. She was little
past middle life, tall and of dignified
appearance. Her dark eyes and snow
white hair presented as marked con-
trast as did her pale face and mourning
garments.
+" don't sec as wine can be bad"
said one of the young artists, 1--WE al
ways have wine at dinner, and papa
and brother Bill often take glass TO-
gether in the evening. I'm sure they
would scorn the idea of being classed
with those who use stronger drinks.
They are splendid men, both of them"
And she tossed her head with proud
little air.
The lady in black bent forward, her
thin, white fingers working convulsive-
ly, and her dark eyes glowing with in
tensity of feeling. Then, as if she
could no longer keep silence, she ex-
claimed:
"Ladies, 1 am stranger to you all.
but l must speak" Assurances of
welcome followed and she began:
Thirty years ago was an only
daughter in as beautiful and happy a
home as any of you can have. But in
that home their lurked an enemy, I'M
seen and unsupported, that was des-
tined to make wreck of joy and peace
and love.
"My father was a lavish provider,
and enjoyed high living. Wines of
various brands were never absent from
the sideboard and both wine and
brandy were used freely in the culinary
department. In that atmosphere l re-
ceived my earliest impressions; and
grew up to think no more of drinking
wine than tea or coffee. At eighteen
began to receive attention from the
young man who afterward became ny
husband. One day he was dining with
us, and, as | had before noticed, did
not taste his wine. In playful way
accused him of being ungallant, and
almost commanded him to drink it.
In quiet and respectful manner, ne
replied:
"a Do not urge me, please But a
wi]lful spirit possessed me, and ] in
sisted, declaring that should be seri-
ous1y offended if he refused. He raised
the glass to his lips and drained it to
the bottom"
The speaker paused, evidently strug-
Cling to control her emotions, but soon
continued:
During the six weeks that elapsed
between that time and our marriage he
drank wine in my presence many times,
and noted with pleasure that he who
was SO usually quiet became gay and
witty. But on our wedding day he
drank too much. Even I, who knew
nothing of Temperance principles, be-
gan to sec my mistake in urging upon
him that first glass. / can not tell you
of chat day (she shivered) save that
when / saw him becoming intoxicated
and sought to demonstrate. he bluntly
answered: You have yourself to thank.
"Ah! it was too true.
''Before a year had passed wine no
longer satisfied his craving and he re-
sorted to brandy. My eyes were now
fully opened, but it was too late. In
his sober moments | tried to reason
with him and induce him to let it alone.
He would only reply: 1 can't. Ellinor,
! wish I could; but from the moment ]
tasted the first drop was a lost man.
You will have to bear it..
''He never once argued that he was
all right ard walking in a safe path;
he seemed to realize his condition and
was sad even to despair. At times ne
gave me the bitterest reproaches and
curses, but ] felt that deserved them
all.
"When our first baby came, hoped
that it might prove a tie to hold at
home the father, for he seldom spent
an evening in the house; but it seemed
as though no earthly power could keep
him. / longed to have him at home,
yet dreaded his coming. For, when
be was not intoxicated. that awful look
of despair was more heart-breaking
than the hilarity of drunkenness. One
day he came to my room and taking
the habv be0an To walk mn and down