Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-07-05

In the year 18i9, on the Sd day of
October, traveller from Richmond, Va.
to Philadelphia, Penn, got out of
Baltimore, Nd. He was tired with the
journey and still had some distance to
go. A friend whom he met there invit-
ed him to take drink. What harm could
there be in that2 Was it not the part of
good fellowship to do so? Who but q
churl, fellow who ought to be treated
with contempt, some bigoted, miserable
teetotaler could raise an objection The
two friends, with good intentions, went
to the bar. Had drink. What was
the result9
The gentleman who was thus tempted
was poet of the very highest promise.
His career has been wild and bad. His
name was Edgar Allan Poe. His tales
had revealed rare genius. One or two
poems he had written were radiant with
promise. Every literary critic was as
sured that if he would become steady
and settled down to q good life, he
would be one of the brightest stars Of
American literature. And the counsels
of wise men and the influence of good
friends has no effect. Whilst in Rich
mond he had been brought to penitence
for the past, and vowed reformation.
He signed the the pledge and joined q
Temperance Society to enable him to re-
sist his great foe, strong drink. He
gave lecture on Total Abstinence.
which was attended by the best people
in Richmond. who rejoiced in the change
and were full of hope. A lady whom he
had long loved now consented to an en-
gagement, and arrangements were made
for the wedding. All his friends were
satisfied that the man had changed, and
meant to work and live a good life,
Before the marriage took place he had
an invitation to Philadelphia for some
literary work. Life was bright and all
promised well. Bnt whilst staying for
few minutes at Baltimore, q well-mean-
ing friend persuaded him once more to
open the door to the demon who had
blasted his life up to that hour, but was
now subdued. What inducements were
used, what strong asseverations that one
glass could do no harm were made,
what Jests at being a milksop were en-
ployed, what sneers at teetotal fanatic
ism were indulged in, we cannot tell.
At length Poe only just returned the key
in the lock. He took drink.
There are foolish persons who saw
they have no sympathy with man who
cannot take just one glass or two, per-
haps, and stop there. No wise lover Of
his fellows will say that. Some Of the
very best men cannot. 1t is often the
finest brains that are driven into insan-
ity with a few drops OF alcohol, which
speedily destroys the equilibrium of the
whole system, as a little snake poison
will do. Poe could not stop at one glass
At Havre dc Grace he was found SO dis
orderly that he was taken back to Balti-
more in the custody of the conductor Of
the Philadelphia train. There he did
what numbers have done-run riot in
drink, completely mastered by the de.
mon ne had beer foolish enough to sci
free. In the course of few DAYS he was
taken to hospital in an insensible
state. On Sunday morning, October Z,
he awoke to consciousness. "Where
am r. he asked. kind-hearted
doctor who was by the bedside said (:
You are cared for your best friends. .
After pause Poe solemnly replied
My best friend would be the man who
would blow out my brains" In ten
minutes he was corpse. The next day
he was inferred in the battle-ground 81
Westminster Church, and America lost
one OF the most promising and brilliant
writer's she ever possessed. What be-
came OF the friend who induced him "a
take drink at the Baltimore refresh
ment-room ? What did he think 81 Il
when he learned the results What
Will he think Of it in eternity? If angels
have an insight into futurity, what
must they have feltifpermitted to watch
that scene at the refreshment- bar Z
Surely some demon sent thrill of hell
ish Joy throughout the pit as It saw the
man lift the glass Oh, it is terrible To
think what brilliant light in English
literature that glass quenched. And
one is reminded of a certain great poet.
who lived more than many centuries
previously, who said, possibly seeing !
similar evil in his day, " Woo unto him
that giveth his neighbor strong drink. \