West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-06-13
Original
His First and Last Drink.

BY IN"
They lifted him NJ from the pavement
But boy so pitifully wan,
And rough men whispered, with tcar-dimmcd
eyes,
TITS d mothers only child"
All, yes, lie was her only child;
But In her life Of pomp and show
She had lcd her boy ON, step by stop
TO whore we sec him now;
And while half crazed by the rum he'd drank,
lie staggered into the stroot--
He did not see the mnddcncd horses
But helplessly sank at their feet
They lifted him, manglcd and bleeding,
And carried him up To tho door
OF the mansion so grand and imposing,
Which ner would ochd more
To the youthful voice and the laughter
That the mother delighted to hear;
For othor sounds OF n sadder tone
Must greet her listening ear.
DIED drunk" they said, and the mothers heart
Seemed stiled by an awful woo.
AS che thought of her boy-her darling boy,
Who, but one short hour ago
Had left her side; the handsome faco,
Just flushed by his glass Of wine,
And who had said, In his CHEEKY way,
Don't wait for me, mother mine
II happen TO be n trino late
I'm going out with the boys
You know your head Is aching tonight.
And always make such a nolse."
And thus he left hcr-proud and bright,
And full Of the ire Of youth;
And thus had cOme,-the crushed form brOt
To her heart the awful truth,
That she had given the fatal glass,
And had paid, rs the terrible toll,
For leading him through the gates Of sln)
Her boys immortal soul
And on the morrow. when the friends
Had gathered IN solemn array
TO hear the last, low, revcrent words
! over the mangled form ~ clay.
The mother thought 81 hor fair young boy,
| And then OF his furnished name.
And said Twas I whu gave the glass
rris who must bear the blame"
! Then up she rose with haRgarei facc
| And said, In tone go wild.
/ That man, and woman. aud child must list
"Oh, he Is my only child
| Look, you do you see him nowf
/ o, mothers, aud sisters, and wives.
| DO you dare 70 give o passing thought
| 70 the hundreds 81 precious lives
| That are daily wrecked by careless hands
/ By the wine they are given a. SUPP
| oh n you but knew how II would end,
/ You'd spurn the poisonous cup.
/ And shelter your boy. and hold him cioso
\ TO your frightened mCthcrhcart
! You would bind him so sight With cords OF love
\ That from you be no'eg could part
I You'd ionihe that which has cursed IFS soul.
/ And broken this heart ~ mine
\ You'd fromblc with fear. W you should but heat
\ The cursed name of wine
Y can SEQ him now. but % lttlc child.
\ 81 De stood ai iiis mothers knee
l And begged Tor The pretty rcd water
I Oh God why didn't sect
I And think. how remorsefully
/ ~ The wine be- was given 90 sup
/ And how smiled as the tiny hand
/ in iis oaRerness rraspcd the cup.
I And thus Jed my ruined boy
I in The broad, alluring way.
I gu The sin.cloRNod feet have bro't tho form
/ To whore 70 ~ to-day.
I I've told you now, and tell You again.
I That ny boy was not Co blame
I For @ was who gave the glass
/ That has tsrnished the fair young name.
I And now, o mothers. prey you heed
/ Tho words ri one who knows
I Whore cup Of bitterness ls 500 filled
/ That So almost ovcraovrs
I And when you think VI your noble boys.
Assert This with q might
Tint thcy shall wear al least Boz heart,
I That puo little badge o."
/ Thc speaker paused The room grew stui.
/ And ncat and uamoIcss dread
Yen over Che faces Of those who watched -
Ihc mother. too was dead