The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-08-22
AN EVERYDAY STORY,
How "A Bright Young Man Ruined Home.
Character and Happiness.

w al oGIttb. NSW OEh, d new uudnCldl
institution was started in Broadway,
and, learning that an acquaintance Of
mine had been appointed to prominent
position therein, / called to see him
with my congratulations for his good
fortune. Being a young man of very
good abilities, the prospect seemed
favorable for his further advancement
and usefulness.
But who can tell what lies in the
unseen future! Some years after 1
learned that he had lost his situation
on account of incorporate habits. These
evil habits, | was informed, had been
contracted by the free use of wine
among his friends socially and at pub
lie dinners.
After losing trace of him for many
years he called at my house in the
spring OF 1874 to solicit pecuniary assist
ance. lie was 50 altered in his appear
ance that l at first hardly recognized
him. | listened to his sad tale of de-
graduation and suffering. he having been
separated also from an interesting fam
lily by his own acts. In the midst of his
drunken career he had come near to the
borders of death, and, on recovery, a
kind physician, who had attended him
in his sickness, took him into his en-
ploy in order to try and save him. He
accompanied this physician in his visits
to many persons who had limbs MANNED
and broken by accidents which occurred
when they were stupefed with liquor
The sight Of their helpless and forlorn
condition led him to reflection, and the
thought came to his mind that perhaps
his body might yet be case for the
surgeons knife. He then resolved at
once to stop short in his downward
career, and proposed, with the assist
ance of friends, to go to Binghamton
and spend a year at the lnebriate Asy-
lum at that place, hoping that course
would be the means of his cure.
About year after this interview, I
heard that he had left Binghamton
fully cured, and succeeded in obtaining
a situation as booll-keeper in railroad
Office in New York. While he was en-
ployed there, a vacancy occurred in the
cashicrship of bank in the city of his
former residence, not far distant from
New York, and through the influence of
relatives and friends there, he was ap-
pointed to fill the vacancy. Shortly
after his appointment | called upon
him at his Office, and found him very
happy in the changed condition of his
affairs. He said he was now restored
to his wife and family and the future
looked bright and encouraging. But in
my visit there, an incident occurred
which struck me unfavorably. AS |
was walking near his place of business
observed him enter the bar-room of
an inferior-looking hotel | followed
him to the bar where liquor ran freely,
but he purchased only few cigars.
He apClogized to me for being found
there, but gave as his reason, that in
that place they had favorite brand of
cigars which he could not get elsewhere.
demonstrated and told him that /
thought it was very unsafe for him to
go where there was even the smell of
liquor. But he replied that he appre-
hended no danger, as he was so sick
and disguised with alcoholic drinks that
nothing could again induce him to
touch them.
Hardly year passed before l heard
that he had relapsed into his former
habits and lost his situation. Soon
after he called at my office in par
TALLY intoxicated condition and solicit
ed money to buy food, stating that he
was almost starved. l refused to give
him money, but offered to get him
dinner. He thanked me, and | told my
son to go with him to a certain Temper
ance restaurant" and provide him with
a good meal. My son afterwards took
him to the "Womans' Christian Tenn
perance Prayer Meeting" where he
was introduced, and, at his request,
made the subject of prayer. He left
before the close of the meeting, stating
that he was anxious to be in time for
the next Philadelphia train. My son
followed him towards the depot, but
on the way his appetite seemed to furi-
ously crave drink, and he took opportu-
nifty suddenly to escape out of sight.
The last sad news that came to me
was that he had died of delirium tre-
mems in police station in Brooklyn.
How my heart ached for his poor wife
and family, who had their hope so
raised to be cast down again in utter
disappointment.
This sad case teaches US an important
lesson. 1t shows the fearful strength
of the chains of intemperance, the neces-
ity of watchfulness and of looking to a
Higher Power for deliverance.
1t would seem that this man, with
such favorable change in his circum-
stances, had every inducement and en-
enlargement to persevere in the work of
reform. 1t shows that there is no safety
for one who has been formerly addicted
to Incorporate habits to place himself
in the way of temptation by visiting
where liquor is sold, even for the pur-
chase of other articles. We are told to
pray: Lead us not into temptation"
but if q reformed man is unavoidably
thrown into such places, he should cry
nightly unto God to deliver him from
evil. "-Christian at Work.
THE veteran Won Moltke considers
the misuse of alcohol one of Germany's
greatest enemies, and adds: "a healthy
man needs no such stimulant, and to
give it to children is absolutely wicked"
WHEN tho Ievil wants to run his
claws clear through a man and aliach