The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-02-15
WHY TIE SCENE CHANGED.
A Pretty Scene Spoiled by the Appearance o
"A Bioat,

A Pretty Scene Spoiled by the Appearance of
Boat.
To THE CLUB-As the sun sinks beneath
the horizon on one of those beautiful
DAYS in June, pleasant sight meets our
gaze. A house situated back from the
road. and surrounded by shade trees. By
peeping around the house we notice a
very large garden, filled with almost num-
berless varieties OF vegetables; and in the
garden and scattered over the large yard
are also numberiess varieties OF flowers,
all in full bloom.
Sitting beneath one Of the large shade
trees We see a Young man, apparently not
ever eighteen or nineteen wears of age. In
one hand he holds a pencil and in the
other notebook; he certainly has been
writing, but just now he seems to be
studying ABOUT something. How peaceful
and happy he looks with his pencil and
book before him.
From within the house we hear the
strains of q woman's voice hum ming that
good old tune, Jesus Lover OF NV Soul"
Also in the garden we see & youth who
has probably seen fourteen or fifteen sum
mers roll round. He is hoeing away and
keeping time by whistling the latest craze
In songs.
Isn't this beautiful as well as peaceful
scene2 All. what change has come over
1t. Wha: causes this young man to hurry
up from his shady retreat put his pencil
and book In his pocket and start toward
the house with a frown upon his lace?
What causes the youth 70 stop lis
whistlng and hoe with a more ardent
yigOr? What causes that voice TO sud
deuiy cease within2 We say again, what
causes ~ An, YES; now we see. What
person Is this we notice just coming up
from the gate? lie seems 20 Be a
man who Is somewhat past the middle
mile-pOst OF his life But why should ne
change this beautiful scene? But look
Did he fall? No, not quite; Just stumbled
on one OF the stones in the walk. But
glance at his face; that tells the tale; his
lace is boated, his eyes are buiged out,
and he has a peach bloom or his nose.
lie is Il siave-a slave 10 that cursed stuff
called alcohol. lie could Lave no harder
master, for be ruins both body and soul.
Losing the body is not much; but just
think Of losing the soul, body, health,
frIends-in fact. everything. How many,
many homa scenes are changed IN this
way?
Strong drink is the worst enemy the
Christian has TO contend with. Whether
il bs III the shape Of cohol, whiskey,
beer, wine, and some even 90 so lar as 10
call it blttsfs. and say that It - good Tor
the health. Is anything good for the
health which causes one 10 20 crszy2
That causes him to roll IN the gutter with
the hogs? To beat and sometimes TO
murder his wife? What is good hea tn,
il this be the case? What Il it that il ILL
ing our jails, cur reform schools, our Deni-
tentiaries? Why, strong drink, of
course. Take the victims of this
vile stuff out of these institutions, how
many inmates would there De LETT? Why
comparatively few, indeed. In fact the
majority of these inmates come TO their
sad end, either directly or Indirectly, from
strong drink.
Then again, how much money is spent
every wear in the production OF this prom
inent weapon OF the devil. We End that
it reaches up into the millions. Suppose
this large amount OF money was used In
some better purpose. " hat large amount
OF poverty and crime would be prevented.
For We ars sorry 10 say that poverty
and crime sometimes 90 hand N
hsnd. Bat. what causes the power
"? Why Ia great many cases
it is caused by strong drink. Yes very
great many cases. But you say tina.
lit le does not harm. Now, don't deceive
Yourself. How many have started cut
with only little; then little more, and
80 you 20 on. Until now where is your
"li.tle?" You are landed in the slough OF
despond, aud what is more cannot get
OUT on might as well be a slave. guarded
by hundred soldiers, yes, better Tor the
slave may receive help from without; but
YOU, never. That cruel monster has his
clutches upon you; you cannol escape
him. Let mis- fingers touch you and you
are gone; for that touch soon becomes a
clutch. which holds you fast
Well, dear friends, you will have to
pardon me for coming back SO soon, but l
received no welcome when | was here
last. so [ come again just TOR spite. When
l come again 1 may bring couple OF
friends along. Wouldn't you be s'prised if
variety jim" that ere backwoodsman.
should come walkin' 10 with fair one"
Oh each arm? Wouldn't Romeo" hustle
around hunting up two new chairs2 With
best wishes for the club, 1 remain yours
fraternslly, VARIETY JIM"
27l6 Semple-ave., st. Louis, Mo.