The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1886-10-14

enchantment; and babbler is no better"
-Eccl. Xii.
One of the most distressing features
connected with mortal sufferings is the
fact that our misfortunes generally come
unaWares. It would be a strange person
who would go along through life watch
ing and waiting for the coming of some
misfortune, and it is possibly a wise pro-
vision that we do not always know the
evil things that are in store for us. The
serpent that would "enchant," toy with
his victim before striking the death blow,
would be doubly cruel The horror of the
poisonous death is sufficient in itself,
without adding the additional torture of
fascination. But while it is true that the
serpent bites often. without enchant-
ment, or warning of any kind, it is equal
ly true that he as often enchants his vic
tins, and the horror of the enchantment
is even worse than the death itself.
The small, misty cloud which slowly
gathers about the humble home, a cloud
perhaps no greater than a mans hand,
may seem as innocent or Insignificant as
the cloud which contains the summer
shower; its beauty and freshness, as the
sunlight and Joy of the world flash upon
it, has tendency to gladden. the heart,
rather than cast the faintest shadow of
sorrow about the little world represented
by the home. There may perhaps be a
slight dropping of the rains of discomfort
or bitterness, yet what can a little, harm
less cloud, floating IN a great sea of
brightest blue, siguify? The atmosphere
surrounding that one poor little cloud
may be as clear and joyous as the glory of
MONDAY, and we feel a thrilling pride
that such harmless and enchanting things
can be-for that cloud is the first enchant-
ment.
Out from that little home steps one of
the noblest specimens of Gods handiwork
an honest man. Young, ambitious, up
right, noble. Away from the pretty little
home-scene and out into the world,
scarcely noticing any of the familiar sur
roundingS, or that the cloud hanging
above the home shifts uneasily, and fol-
lows his footsteps. Careless and free,
confident in his own strength, he walks
the earth a perfect man. But just over
there he suddenly espies that little cloud
clothed in beauty that is most enchant-
ing. The dark shades simmer in crim-
son and gold; the rain drops seem tears
of sympathy and love; the restless motion
in the atmosphere of that place, seems
mods of approbation; the enchantment is
complete; all the cares of earth fly before
the pretty little cloud like dead leaves be
fore the wind; home, friends, society, ev
rything-forgotten in the roseate gleam
ing of present joy.
Let us watch that perfect man on hi!
homeward journey. Quickly, with fever
ish haste, he steps along the pathway, a
if to keep pace with the receding beaut.
Just ahead-for the beauteous cloud i
leading him back again to the home scene
The beauty Of the cloud seems to wan
with each advancing step, until at last a
the form enters the old familiar doorway
and the beauty of the cloud is gone. Gone
did we say? Not gone. The cloud as
sumes it's old position, its solemn vigil
above the doorway. But this time it i
much larger and glOomier than before
The lines are more threatening, and th
rain-drops more suggestive of bitter tears
Thus the cloud comes and goes, alway
alluring, yet sometimes forbidding an
cruel There comes time when tn
cloud comes rolling and tossing home
ward with no step following The UP
right man whom we saw following tn
little cloud but few days ago, has locke
for the last time upon the enchantmen
of the fatal sign. There is no more O
beauty in it for him, and his soul ha
winged its way in a useless and hopeles
flight after beauties it shall never behold
The man was northumberland bitten. TIL
cloud comes alone, but it settles dow
about the home with an increased sad
ness. A mother, startled by the gloom
surroundings, crosses the threshold, an
looks, alarmed, at the ominous sign. Th
dark lines grow into great lances Of evi
the rain-drops turn to stones of grea
weight, which fall and crush the poo
suffering heart. Even the streakS of sur
light brighten, expand, increase in spleI
dor, until they burst forth with Il sudde
and furious glare-the fierce, cruel, III
quenchable, internal fire which nothin
known to human power can fathom. [
: the midst of the fire, writhes and strus
giles the fierce serpent which first enchan
ed, then bit, her darling one. That on
was enchanted and warned, this one VIZ
not. All Of human sympathy goes OF
to that bereayed one and all of noble re
olution becomes enlisted in the cause
:. crushing out the force Of that cloud, an
driving it's shadows from the horizon {
the home life. Earnest. intelligent, reli,
ious effort Immediately began to shal
methods for the protection of the hon
against the enchantment of the horrib
serpent of Intemperance, and against Il
dangers of the bite itself
But there is another agency enterir
- into the consideration of this matter, al
into the contemplation of this pictul
The Ruler of the Universe permits tt
r angels to paint the glories of the Heave
a ly world for the admiration of mankin
but the same vision which beholds the