The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-01-14

"James Dunton, arrested for drunken
ness and disorderly conduct. Fined five
dollars. In default of payment sent to
Jail for thirty days"
This item in the morning papers met
my eye, and read it again, for the name
seemed familiar. Could it be possible that
this was my old schoolmate? And my
mind turned back to the time when James
stood among the brightest of his class.
Trne, he was little wild, and soon after
he left school he commenced drinking,
and would occasionally become intoxica-
ted. Then he joined a temperance organ
ization, and seemed so deeply in earnest
that had really thought him safe from
all further temptation.
Such was the condition Of things when
l moved to distant city III the far West.
| had been absent for ten years, aud
was now on visit to the old home.
had heard nothing of James Dunton dur
ing my absence, and supposed him still
working in the temperance ranks.
Could it be possible that this was the
same man? On inquiry, found it to be
true. James Dunton had become a victim
of intemperance, after abstaining for
three years. He had not simply gone
back to his old way, but had fallen far
lower, until the chances Of his ever re-
forming seemed almost hopeless. | call
I'd on him, and learned the story OF his
fall.
81 had tasted no kind of liquor for
more than three years, and had conquered
the old habit so far tnat it had little or
Mt a fAp / of.
tended party celebrating the birthday
Of lady friend. Wine aud other liquors
were used quite freely. had twice re-
fused to drink, when the hostess approach
ed and offered me glass of wine | beg
ged her TO excuse me from accepting it,
but she answered somewhat petulantly !:
"'I should think you might drink once
with me in honor of this OCCASION
"As l said something about the prln-
ciple involved, and the possibility of a
single glass leading to a further indul-
ence, she retorted rather sneerir'gl y:
"'Oh beg your pardon. had sup
posed that Mr. Dunton was man enough
to drink harmless glass OF wine with
out fear OF becoming drunkard'
"This stab at my pride, in the presence
of others who had no scruples about TAX
ing an occasional glass, had it's effect, and
with some light remark in reference to
the excuse had been making, l took the
wine and quickly drank it. This led to
another, and then another, for | wished
to show the lady that | had sufficient
manhood to drink several glasses of wine
if l chose. The result was, was carried
home beastly drunk. After that night
all the old cravings came back ten-fold
tried to fight against it, but it seemed
of no use. My courage all forsook me.
and became reckless. In my false at
tempt to sustain my manhood had lost
all. feel now that my fate is fixed and
there is no help for it. The sooner that
the end comes the better for all con
cerned."
tried to encourage him to hope for
better things, but he would not listen.
AS | went away thought of the won
derful influence of woman, and how sad
that it should ever be put to such bad use
that it should be used to lead men
downward, when it might do so much to-
ward lifting them up. The loss of man
hood through life, and of soul through
eternity, are too weighty matters to be
trifled away.-C. L. UW.