The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-02-17

ONE GLASS or WINE.

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ONE GLASS or WINE.
The Fearful Woss Resulting from the
wilifsl Spirit Of . Thoaghtless Girl.
As was coming up the Hudson with
small party of friends few sum.
msrs ago, IN incident occurred which
'mpresse m 50. deeply that l write it
out f,r the benefit Of the readers of the
Csristiaw at Work.
It was July, hot and dusty; but as
yet there had not come that intense
heat and drouth that parches the earth
and causes the verdsnt forest and
meadow to grow brown and sere.
We took the day boat to Albany, and
all day long breathed the delicious air
and toasted our eyes on the ever-ysry-
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-teachers who had but Yesterday
locked the doors of their class-rooms
for the long vacation, to whom this
free gladsome day was a foretaste Of
Heaven. A party of young girl artists,
too, wero there, with eager eyes 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 friendliness 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 acquaintsnces.
1t % CHANGED that one Of our number
took up . morning paper and read
aloud an account Of a 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 professed Temperance
principles, but held quite diverse opin-
ions rs to the best methods of advanc-
ing the cause. Some believed in total
abstinence and woald 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 DR.. 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 Q con-
trast a. did her pale face and mourning
garments. .YA
=" i don't see as wine can be bad, y
said one Of the young artists. 1--WE al.
ways have wine at dinner, and paps
and brother Bill often take q 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 v
And she tossed her head with Q proud
little air.
The lady in black bent forward. hel
thin, white fingers working convulsive.
ly. and her dark eyes glowing with in.
tensity Of feeling. Then, as il she
could no longer keep silence, she ex'
claimed:
Ladies, am stranger. to you all
+ but I must speak" Assurances o.
welcome followed and she began
Thirty yewrs ago l was an only
daughter in as beautiful and happy !,
home as any Of YOU can nave. But il
that home their lurked an enemy, un
seen and unsuspected, that was des
tined to make wreck, of Joy and peace
and love.
my father was lavish provider
and enjoyed high living. Wines o
various brands were never absent from
the sideboard, and both wine AM
brandy were used freely in the culinar,
department In that atmosphere l re
ceived my earliest Impressions; an,
grew up 10 think no more of drinkin,
wine than tea or coffee. At eighteen
began to rece' We attention from til
young man who afterward became m
husband. One day he was dining wit
rs. and, as had before noticed. di
not taste his wine. In . playful way
accused him of being ungallant, an
aim ost commanded him to drink il
In quiet and respectful! manner, b
replied:
al Do not urge me, please But
willful spirit possessed me, and l in
sisted, declaring that should be ser
susly offended II be refused. He raise
the glass TO his lips and drained it I
the bottom"
The speaker paused, evidently strus
Cling to control her emotions, but 500
continued:
During the six weeks that elapse
between that time and our marriage b
drank wine in my presence many time
and noted with pleasure that he VIII
was go usually quiet became gay an
witty. But on our wedding day b
drank too much. Even /, who kne
nothing of Temperance principles, b
gan to see my mistake In urging upo
him that first glass. 1 can not tell "
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