The news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1882-1891, 1886-11-30
One Glass of Wine.

with small party of friends, few
summers ago, an incident occurred
which impressed me SO deeply that
write it out for the benefit of the
readers of THE News.
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 meadows to grow brown and
scar.
We took the day boat to Albany.
and all day long breathed the delic-
ious air and feasted our eyes on the
every-varying 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 gladstone day was a
foretaste of heaven. A party of young
girl artists, 700, were there, with eager
eyes and 1eft, rapid fingers. There is
so ethii9 pecgls9y pleasant about
/ uAelin; aside dom the
scenery or anpV external matter.
There seehs to bean atmosphere OF
friendliness and good fellowship that
we are not wont to experience when
journeying by rail. No matter what
orr station in life, or where our home;
for the time we are on the same level,
and are familiar acquaintances.
1t SO CHANGED that one of our num-
Der took up a morning paper and read
aloud an account of vigorous tenn
perance movement in one of the in
terror States. Comments and some dis
cussion followed. One after another
Joined in the conversation until in
that part ofthe boat it became gen
eral. All the ladies protested temper
ance principles, but held quite diverse
opinions rs to the best methods of adj
yancing 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 allusion to DR..
Howard Crosby and his refomatory
work.
During the discussion, which grew
warmer and warmer, a 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 mourn
ing garments.
II don't see as wine can be bad, /"
said one of the young artists, I'VE
always have wine at dinner, and papa
and brother Bill often take a glass
together in the evening l am 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 worked convulsive-
ly and her dark eyes glowing with in
tensity of feeling. Then, as if she
could no longer keep silent, she ex-
claimed:
Ladies, l an-astranger to you all
but must speak"
Assurance of welcome followed, and
she began:
Thirty years ago was an an only
daughter, in as beautiful and happy q
home as any of you can have. But in
that home there lurked an enemy, un.
seen and unsupported, that was des
tined to make a wreck of joy and
peace and love.
My father was 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 de
partment In that atmosphere / re
ceived my earliest impressions anc
grew up to think no more of drinking
wine than tea or coffee. At eighteen
began to receive attentions from the
young man who afterward became my
husband. One day he was dining
with us, and as 1 had before noticed
did not taste his wine. In playful
way l accused him of being ungallant
and almost commanded him to drink
it. In quiet and respectful manner
he replied: "'Do not urge me please.
But willful spirit possessed me and
insisted, declaring that l should be
seriously offended if he refused. He
raised the glass 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 and our mar.