The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-07-08
Shall We Drink Wine !

w w lht
1t was useless to demonstrate with
Judge Warren. He Could drink wine
and brandy, and 1Could insist that he
was benefited thereby. A classical
scholar, he talked enthusiastically of
the wines of Cyprus and Lesbos, and the
pure old Falernian. Quat1ing of some
favorite vintage, he waxed eloquent,
as he descanted upon the cheering,
inspiring influences of wine. Wine
maketh the heart glad" How often
he quoted this phrase, forgetting always
to add, "Wine is a mocker."
He boosted of his self-control and
moderation. Only the weak ones of
earth were in danger of yielding to eX-
cessive indulgence. Yet there were
many who had listened to his CATER
dinner speeches when they knew him
to be under the spell of the cup; and
the members of his family had often
seen him when racking headache and
oversensitive nerves betrayed the fact
that he had tarried long at the wine.
Yet he was an honorable man. He
was surrounded by hosts of friends,
and the autumn of his life was crowned
with the fruition of his most ambitious
hopes. His home was one of elegance
and luxury, over which the wife of his
youth still presided. His sons, four in
number, were all he could desire
while his daughters occupied enviable
positions.
His sovoutictn birthday was to be the
occasion of a family reunion, and ex-
tensive preparations were made for the
entertainment of guests. Years before,
Judge Warren had anticipated this day,
and with his own hands set aside the
wine which was to do honor to this an
tlclpated reunion. 1t waited now, and
as the old home mansion received one
and another, the master congratulated
himself that nothing was wanting
which could add to the festivity of the
occasion.
Late in the evening preceding his
birthday, his eldest son joined him in
the library, to which he had retired.
Father, is there to be wine at din
ner tomorrow was asked, abruptly.
OF course, John; some of the very
best. | bought it twenty years ago.
expressly for tomorrow. You see |
calculated on long life, and now eX-
pect my children and grandchildren to
P4NN5N NV III q vi i'm III lOI lllt ROuS.
The old man had tested the quality of
this drink, and was therefore to be
pardoned for some extravaganza of
language.
But, father"
"Well, my son?n
81 wish you would dispense with
wine tomorrow"
Dispense with wine!' echoed
Judge Warren. What!-a dinner with
out zest or piquancy, the browning day
of my life? Why, John. you astonish
me. | should expect rebellion at once
among the juveniles, to say nothing OF
the fathers and mothers" The
speaker passed his hand across his
forehead, and, after moment:
thought, said:
Tell me why you expressed this
wish"
Because, father, l cannot drinl
wine, and my boys must not drink it
| would rather they had never heart
your name than that they should drink
wine at your table tomorrow. E"
Again an expression of surprise was
uttered by the Judge.
81 tell you the truth" continued
John Warren. Every member Of
my family is pledged to total absti
hence; and yet-yet-"
Have you joined the army o.
fanatics who are endeavoring to turn
the customs of society upside down
and substitute their new-fangled theo.
ries for religion? Tell me what you
mean, John"
81 have a story to tell you. Will
you hear it now?" was the reply
eyes" answered the father, some
what impatiently.
81 have heard you say that wine il
a necessary stimulant, and that, if you
wished to speak eloquently, you would
drink of the fruit of the vine"
Yes, yes, John, that's all true
I've tried it for fifty years, and ough
to know"
"And have tried it for half tina
time, and, to my sorrow and shame.
know that wine is a mocker. Pleas,
not to interrupt me-" said the speaker
observing that his father was about t
offer a dissent to this assertion
Three months ago | lost an impor
tant case in court because was intoxi
Gated. 1t made a difference to m,
client OF twenty thousand dollars; ant
justice was on his side. Wine was or