The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-07-02
ONE GLASS OF 4 y

1t was July, hot and dusty; but as yet
there had not come that intense heat and
drouth that parehes the earth and causes
the vcrdant forest and meadows 10 grow
brown and scar.
We took the day boat to Albany, and
all day long breathed the delicious air and
Toasted our eyes ON the ever varying land
scapc. \ large proportion of the passcn-
gers were ladies, many of whom were seek
ing rest and quietude in the country.
There were tired school-tcacherS 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. y party of young girl artists,
too, were there. with eager eyes and def.
rapid fingers. There is something pecr-
liarly pleasant about travelling by water,
aside from the, scenery or any external
matter. There seems to be an atmosphere
Of friendliness aud good-fellows ship that we
are not wont To experience when journey
ing by rail. No matter what our station
i'll life, or where our home, for the time
beng we are on the same level, and are IA
miliar acquaintances
1t so Glanced that one of our number
o up a morning paper and read aloud
an account of Il vigorous temperance
movement in one of the interior States.
Comments and some discussion followed.
One after another joined in the CONVERSE
ton until in that part of the boat it became
general. All the ladies' profcssed temper
ance principles, but held quite diverse
opinions as to the best methods of advance
ing the cause. Some believed in total
abstinence and would include tobacco in
the pledge. Others would draw the line
between distilled and fermcnted liquors.
claiming that wine and beer were not only
harmless but hcalthful in their effect. The
latter class made frequent a~llusion to pr.
Howard Crosby and his reformatory work
During the discussion, which grew warm
er and warmer, a lady, whom We had
noticed rs apparently alone and unae-
quainted, drew near and listened with
eager attention. She was a little past mid
die life, tall and Of dignilied appearance
Her dark eyes and snow-white hair pre-
scented as marked a contrast as did her
pale face and mourning garments.
Il don't see as wine can be bad. said
one of the Young artists, eve always have
wine at dinner, and papa and brother Bill
often take a glass together in the evening.
| am sure they would scorn the idea of
being elassed With those who use stronger
drinks. They are splendid men, both of
them And she tossed her head with a
proud little air.
The lady in black bent forward. her thin
white fingers working convulsively, and
her dark eyes glowing with intensity of
feeling. Then. as il She could no longer
keep silence, She exclaimed.
Ladies'. | am a stranger 10 yon all but
must speak" Assurances OF welcome
followed, and She began: Thirty years
ago WAS an only daughter i'll rs beautiful
and happy a home as amy of you can have.
But in that home there Inrkcd an enemy
unseen and unsupported, that was destined
10 make a wreck Of JOY and peace and
love.
My father was a lavish pfovi,lcr, and
enjoyed high living Wines Of various
brands were never absent from the side
board, and both wine and brandy were
used freely in the culinary department..
In that atmosphere | received my earliest
impressions; and grew mp to think 10
moro Of drinking wine than tea or coffee.
At eighteen ! began 10 receive attention
from the yonng man whoaficrwarl became
my husband. 0ne day he was dining
with uS, and, as | had before noticed, did
not taste his WING. In a playful way
accused him of being ungallant, and almost
commanded him to drink it. In a quiet
and respectful manner. he replied
"Donot urge me please But a will
full spirit possessed me and | insisted,
declaring that I should be seriously offend
ed if he refused. lie raised the glass To-
his lips and drained it to the bottom.
T~hespeaker paused. evidently Struggling
TO control her emotions, but soon %contin-
ucd:
During the six weeks that elapsed be
tween that time and our marriage he drank
Wine in my presence many times, and |
noted with pleasure that he who was 50
usually quiet became gay and witty. But
on onr wedding-day he drank too much.
Even |, who knew nothing of temperance
principles, begin to sec my mistake in urg-
ing upon him the first glass, ] can not tell
you of that day (shc shiycred) save that
when | saw him becoming intoxicated and
sought to demonstrate. he bluntly an
swercd: You have yourself to thank.
"Ah, it was too true
Before Il year had passed wine no long
er satisfied his craving and he resorted 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 Ellinoi, ! wish | could; but from the
moment | tasted the first drop | was a lost
man. Yon will have to bear it.
Gle never once argued thai he was all
right and walking in the safe path; he
seemed to realize his condition and was sad
even to despair. At times he gave me