The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-07-19
TEMPERANCE NOTES.
ONLY A DRUNKARD.

Inc tragic Story of IA Drinkers Ruined
Life.
lie was not a bad-looling man, the
prisoner at the bar
Dissipation had left its mark. but
there was something about the face
that made you think that back in his
young manhood were other and hap
pier days. He was not raised a thief,
this man accused of stealing a diamond
ring.
The court officials noticed the clear
cut features which might once have
been handsome. the matted hair which
once curled in beautiful ringlets, and
said:
The fellow is changed prison life
has done him good When we got him
he was the ugliest-looking fellow in
jail; but since he has got the prison
pallor he looks as if he might be an
imitation of gentleman"
Six months of enforced sobriety and
good habits had certainly made great
change. Perhaps the jury noticed it,
too. The ring was valuable one, and
yet the sentence was for only year
Prisoner, stand up" said the Judge
when the foreman handed in the YER
dict. Have you anything to say why
the sentence of the court should not be
pronounced upon you?"
The prisoner slowly arose, and in
deliberate tones replied:
Your honor, | have something to
say, and l will not tire you with my
speech, | think. | have been worth
less, drunken vagabond, your honor,
but am not thief. The ring which
was found in my pocket belonged to
my mother, dead and in Heaven years
ago. 1t is better 50. l wonder, your
honor, if the angels know of the shame
and disgrace of those they loved on
earth?
The lady identified the ring, but l
believe that she was honestly mistaken;
the rings are proba bly, similar l stand
before you to-day, your honor, the
wreck of what once was man: the
urchins on the street jeer at me and
laugh at my rags. ] have been home
less and hungry. your honor, and would
barter my soul for a glass of something
warm to start the cold blood once more
coursing through my veins. But l am
not thief
Il would not harm Gods weakest
creature. AS a boy 1 gathered the
manned and wounded animals from the
street into the kitchen, and fed them
as no man ever yet fed and cared for
me. was a happy boy. My father
was wealthy and distinguished, my
home luxurious. l went to college and
graduated with honor. and soon after
ward, on the death of my father, sue
ceeded him in the practice of law Ny
mother died and the property was mine.
| was a rich man. Then came months
of dissipation. My companions We're,
like myself, possessed of ample fortunes
Our revelS We're the talk of the city.
and we We're proud of the fact. We had
none but the choicest wines. and l was
glad when | could drink more than the
Others could stand; thought it was d
mark of manhood, yoar honor.
1T is the same cid story. | will
make it short. l became a common
drunkard, my property was gone, every
thing but the ring. | could not part
with that: it was the only link which
bound me to happy past, the only tie
between me and the mother who bore
me, who cared for me. who loved me.
Many a night when | was cold and
hungry | have taken it ont beneath
the glistening stars, and its sparkles
were as if my mothers eyes were look
ing at me with the brightness which
once was theirs 1t was only fancy,
your honor, but it was very dear to me-
] was arrested while drunk. one night,
and the ring was taken from me; then
he lady thought she recognized it as
one she had lost. But she is wrong,
your honor. The ring is mine. | am
drunkard and a yaga bond, but thief
never
AS he stopped speaking he drew
small paper package from his pocket.
Where he got it no one knew: and be-
fore his hand could be arrested he had
swallowed the contents. The lawyers
jumped to their feet and seized the
prisoner; doctor was sent for; but be-
fore medical assistance could be OBJ
tanned the prisoner was beyond the
reach of human skill.
Mother, | am not a thief was
only drunk" he muttered
The door opened, and woman en-
tered in great excitement
Judge, judge, stop the trial! have
found my ring. He didn't steal it.
was mistaken"
Too late! The soul had taken its
appeal to a higher than all human
courts.-Frank L. Wells, in Demorests
Magazine.