The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-02-25
The Moderate Drinker.

schoolhouse among the Dixmont hills.
He was the youngest of not very robust
family of three sons and four daughters.
Their parents were honest, upright people,
who cheerfully bore the burdens of life
and gained livelihood by their exertions.
1t was plain to be seen in the schoolroom
that their children had been taught ODE
dience at home. Pupils who have been
trained Alright at home are easily governed
in school.
AS the years passed by the mothers
busy hands were folded to rest, while the
father was left to bear life's burdens
alone. After reaching mature years most
of the children Joined their mother in the
better land
in early manhood the youngest son
left his native State | think he went
west After an absence of a few years
he returned to their early home. While
away he became robust looking man.
His ''chosen one'' came with him, bring
ing their first born. While absent he had
after his return he engaged in trade in
neighboring village. AS the time passed
by he prospered but after awhile it was
noticed that he INDUCED in strong drink
No doubt he felt as many men have, that
he could drink his liquor moderately and
not be in danger Of becoming sot. He
did not seem to think that his example
before the young men around him was
worse than the gutter drunkard's $. No
young man wants to be seen in the gutter
insensible. or means to be. 1t was not
he was becoming slave to strong drink.
After the business hours of the day were
ended he would remain in the store I'M
til late hour with his drinking asso-
ciates; drinking and gambling. For all
he had been a moderate drnker for some
time his companion was slow to believe
rapidly. When she saw him under the
influence of liquor staggering around,
she could hardly realize that he was the
one that she stood beside only few
short years before and pledged her vows.
She felt at times that her sorrow was
greater than she could bear He was a
man who was generally liked among his
acquaintances. When his friends saw that
he was going down to RUM soul and body,
they felt for him very sensibly
The pastors in the village were inter
ested in doing all they could to save him,
He yielded to their entreaties and quit
drinking for some little time. But after
few weeks, while in company with some
of his drinking companions, he drank
glass OF liquor with them. 1t was enough
to bring on that awful craving, and after
that he had no control over his appetite.
He was taken home, and the next morning
found his wife widow and his children
fatheriess. Thus ended the life Of an en-
terprising young man, one who might
have made his mark in life and might
have helped to make the world better.
With him strong drink did its work
quickly.
If insobriety was confined to those who
cumber the earth it would not seem to be
the awful evil that it is now. 1t often
takes the large hearted and talented;
those who might be prominent men in the
world
What sadder sight can there be chan TO
see young man with the mark OF intellect
on his brow-a young man who has been
reared By exemplary parents ard had
every advantage that was necessary for
his welfare-in beastly state Of iutoxica
ton. 1t is enough to make angels weep:
and they would weep if they were here on
earth where they could see the sight, 1t
is nearly enough to unbalance persons
mind to think of the awful crimes that
are committed, and the lives that are lost
on land and sea, in consequence of intern
perance.
1t is astonishing to hear men of fair un-
Outstanding speak of the prohibitory law
as they do. They will say it is a;failure and
its enforcement is a farce. They general
ly preface their remarks by telling what
a cost its enforcement is to the State.
They never speak of what it costs the
State to care for those who have been
made criminals directly or Indirectly by
insobriety. They never speak of the
widows and fatheriess that are made by
the awful traffic in strong drink. They
say nothing about the mildew and blight
that is cast all over the land in copse
quence of the greatest evil on earth.
Before they close their remarks thew
tell of the wonderful things license is do
ing in bringing in so much revenue for
the country. Statistics plainly show that
the license money amounts to only about
one tenth of what the drink traffic is cost
ing the people.
One thing is certain, that no manly man
will engage in a business to fill his Golfers
that makes widows and orphans. One
writer has said that "money gained by
selling liquors was blood money and never
ought to touch the palm of an honest