The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-11-03
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A WRECKED LIFE.
An Original Temperance Story by Miss
M. j. Vandegrift.

be so chicken hearted Come along, youl
precious mother won't know anything
about it. Nobody knows about our good
times, just 90 with lis this time, and il
your tender conscience troubles you. We
won't ask you to 90 again You must
have a cranky sort of mother. not tc
allow you to 90 anywhere except tC
church, and keep you reading through the
Bible, and singing hymns all the time
Why my mother don't care where 90, OF
what do. She knows better than to med
die with my affairs; you bet
81 want you to understand Edgar Lynch
that you are speaking of my mother You
may hurl your bitterest epithets at me,
and I'll take them, but just you dare tc
utter another word of disrespect about my
mother, and I'll lay you out ON that pave,
ment quicker than you think. Mother
does not forbid me engaging in any real
pleasure, she wants me to have jolly good
time, providing every amusement in her
power, but she has taught me to shun
places of wickedneSS and vice, where evil
deed are done in darkness, and | thank her
for it.
The author of this brave speech was a
noble handsome boy, about fifteen wears OF
age. As he stood there with clinched fist
and flashing eye, ready to strike in his
mothers defense, his evil companions were
glad to sneak away. Never before had
they seen him SO aroused
He was the son of William Raymond, Il
successful merchant in Il town in the upper
part of Cecil county. Mr.. and Mrs Ray.
mond were respected and influential mem.
bers of the Methodist Church Early in
life Mrs. Raymond had dedicated herself to
God any his service. Religion had been t,
her, not merely profession, sabbath day
affair. In her daily home-life it shone out
the brightest her very countenance gavC
evidence that she was in constant com
munion with the great Father, consciou,
always of the abiding presence. This hear
experience gave to her sweet gentle natur,
an added charm. Her husband and sol
regarded her with feelings akin to adora
ton. Very tenderly had she trained he1
boy, seeking to instll into his mind ant
looking forward to the time when he SHOULD
take his place in the world an honored ant
useful man, a stay and comfort to hi
parents in their declining years. Thus fa
Willie had met her highest expectations.
He was bright, intellectual. refined
affectionate and thoughtful of the aged
kind and gentle to the little children
greeting every one with a pleasant smile
1t is scarcely Necessary to say he was
general favorte.
But there was one trait in Willie's char
acter that sometimes gave his mother mucl
uneasiness. He was very easy influenced
So honest and sincere himself suspicion,
found no place in his heart. He was Away,
ready to trust others. For this reason hi
had sometimes been led into wrong, bu,
always accustomed to coniide in his mother
and going to her for advice, he had thus
far escaped many of the snares set by the
evil one in the path of the Young
No doubt you have already formed youl
opinion of Edgar Lynch. You think you
would know him at glance by his low.
mean, degraded appearance, his coarse
ill-natured face. But my reader if this is
the picture you have drawn, you are very
much mistaken To a casual observer.
Edgar Lynch was fine looking boy, some
called him handsome, genial and pleasant
in manner. He possessed a powerful in.
fluence, which alas, he welded for evil
For sometime it had been noised abroad
that a number Of boys, with Edgar as then
leader, had been spending their nights in 4
large room in the rear of Nearys drug
store. This room was fitted up with card
and billiard tables, and it was said thai
wine and wis<ev were furnished in album.
dance. A very den of iniquity. Time and
again, they had been seen in the small
hours of the night, staggering to thcil
homes, some of them children of Christian
parents, ashamed to 90 to their own homes
had gone with their more hardened com.
panions, until they had slept off the effect,
of their debauch. Yet, they thought no
body knew, and Edgar fancicd that he wa,
passing as gentle respectable young man
Poor deluded boy.
Down in the depths of his evil heart
Edgar had determined on the ruin of Will,
Raymond for he was jealous of the attcn
ton every one lavished upon the gentle
boy. The conversation with which my
story begins was the first effort, with wha
success you already know. Though stun.
and angered by his failure, this wicked boy
was too intent on his evil work to be :,
easily foiled He must try some otheI
plan. On the following day he sough
Willie, and apologized for the insulting
language and seemed so heartily sorry foI
his conduct that Willie, true to his gencr
Gus nature, freely forgaye him After this
pretended reform. he sought Willicl
society constantly, protesting great love fol
him. In this way all unconscious Il
Willie, he was steadily gaining an influence