The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1895-08-10

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mate my bibulous powers. That Same
night again sought the false cheer OF
the wine cup.
slower and lower went ia my
downward course, the demon Of drink
sinking Its poisonous talons deeper and
deeper into my soul. No word OF re-
buke ever fell from. my aunt's lips. She
continued to keep my purse well filed,
the good creature believing my crop OF
wild oats would soon be sown and II
would then settle down into respect
able, sober manhood.
1.-Two years ago this very day-the
date is q notable one to me, for it is
the second anniversary Of my enlist
ment--I went on a carouse with O.
couple of my boon companions. In a
saloon in New York we met sergeant
of artillery, then attached to recruit
ing office IN that city. He was a hand-
some, dashing young fellow and at
once took a great fancy to him and
asked him to Join us in our revels. Re-
firing to a private room in the rear OF
the saloon ordered wine, and we were
soon deeply under the influence of the
seductive liquor, Our potations grew
deeper and deeper until my two COM
panions fell into a drunken sleep in their
chairs. .S .5ss -
''The sergeant then suggested walk,
but told him that gentlemen of our
standing should ride, and ordered q
carriage and we drove away. We
stopped at various drinking places
about the city, and became wild with
my frequent potations and ready to
seconds any proposition that the SER
geant might make. X s s@ BE-
"Come. and enlist with me, old fell
low he said: You will have nothing
to do but wear uniform and bang
around with me looking for recruits,
and we will have glorious time in
this gay city J. &
e ''In my irresponsible state I agreed
to his proposition and ordered the driv-,
er to take US to the street and the num-
Der he named. have dim, indistinct
recollection Of ascending stairway
supported by the sergeant, of him tell
ing me to give the name of Richard
Brown, Of replying to some questions
propounded by an officer, and then of
A few moments later, with a lot ofmen,
was taken to boat and helped ON
board, and there fell into a drunken
sleep. !
CHAPTER ". :
81 awoke the next morning in a long
room filled with men, and in answer to
my queries was told that I was on
Governors island and was an enlisted
man in the United States army. You
can imagine my anazement at this
startling revelation. I walked about
the room in half dazed condition, my
brain being yet PROSTATE from the ca
rouse Of the previous day. During the
forenoon was supplied with the uni
form and necessary outfit Of the private
soldier, and was notified that had
been assigned to 3 troop, Sixth caval-
ry, and would start for the far western
frontier on the following morning.
t'After donning my uniform / walked
down to the waters edge and sat down
on dismantled cannon to reflect on
my mad action. MY brain seemed to
have shaken off the grip Of the liquor
which had been the cause Of placing me
In such distressing position, and I
thank God that I was able to take q
philosophic view of the matter. Ere I
left the spot began to look upon my
enlistment as blessing. reasoned
that, had 7 continued to pursue the
: downward course into which had
afallen would sink lower and lower
and one day fill drunkard's grave.
In the United States service 1 would
be under restraint and be far re-
moved from the temptations of a great
city and from; the companions who
were fast leading me toward utter
ruin. In the service could reform,
md bY contact. with hardships and pri-