The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1898-03-03

say at the close of the experiment, or
at the close of misimproved life: II
did but taste little honey with the
rod that was in my hand, and 10! l
must die"
Corrupt literature is doing more to-
day for the disruption of domestic life
than any other cause. EIopments,
marital intrigues, sly correspondence,
ticticious names given at post Office
windows cladestine meetings in parks,
and at ferry gates, and in hotel par
lors, and conjugal perjuries are among
the ruinous results. When woman,
young or old, gets her head thoroughly
stuffed with the modern novel she is
in appalling peril. But some one will
say: The heroes are SO adroitly knav-
ish, and the heroines so bewitchingly
untrue, and the turn of the story so ex-
quisite, and all the characters so en-
rapturing, l can not quit them" My
brother, my sister, you can find styles
of literature just as charming that
will elevate, and purify, and ennoble,
and Christianize while they please.
The devil does not own all the
honey. There is wealth of good
books coming forth from our publish
ing houses that leave no excuse for the
choice of that which is debauching to
body, mind and soul. Go to some in
telligent man or woman, and ask for a
list of books that will be strengthening
to your mental and moral condition.
Life is SO short and your time for inn
provement SO abbreviated that you can
not afford to fill up with husks, and
cinders. and debris. In the interstices
of business that young man is reading
that which will prepare him to be a
merchant prince, and that young WON
an is filing her mind with an intelli-
gence that will yet either make her
the chief attraction of a good mans
home, or give her an independence
of character that will qualify her
to build her own home and main
tain it in happiness that re-
quires no augmentation from any OF
our rougher sex. That young man or
young woman can, by the right liter
ary or moral improvement of the
spare ten minutes here or there every
day. rise head and shoulders in pros
perity, and character, and influence
above the loungers who read nothing,
or read that which bedwarfs. See all
the forests OF good American literature
dripping with honey. Why pick up
the honeycombs that have in them the
fiery bees which will sting you with
an eternal poison while you taste it?
One book may for you or me decide
every thing for this world and the
next. 1twas turning point with me
when in book store in Syracuse one
day l picked up book called 'The
Beauties of RusAin." 1t was only book
of extracts, but it was all pure honey,
and l was not satisfied until
had purchased all his works, at that
time expensive beyond an easy cap
acity to own them, and with what de-
light [ went through reading his
"Seven Lamps Of Architecture" and
his ''Stones of Venice" it is impossible
for me to describe. except by saying
that it gave me rapture for good
books and an everlasting disgust fol
decrepit or immoral books that will
last me while my life lasts. All around
the church and the world to-day there
are busy hives of intelligence occupied
by authors and authoresses from whose
pens drip distillation which is the
very nectar of Heaven, and why will
you thrust your rod of inquisitivenes.
into the deathful saccharine of per
dition?
Stimulating liquids also come int
} the category of temptation deliciou!
but deathful. You say: Il can no
bear the taste of Intoxicating liquor
, and how any man can like it is to IN,
an amazement." Well, then, it is M
: credit to you that you do not take it
Do not brag about your total absti
nence, because it is not from any prin
J ciple that you reject alcoholism, bu
for the reason that you reject certain
styles OF food-you simply don't lik,
the taste of them. But multitudes o
people have a natural fondness for al
kinds of intoxicants. They like it s.
much that it makes them smack thei
; lips to look at it. They are dyspepti
and they like to aid Digestion; or they
are annoyed by insomnia, and the,
! take it to produce sleep; Or they ar
troubled, and they take it to max
them oblivious; or they feel happy. an
they must celebrate their hilarity
They begiu with mint julep sucke
through two straws on the Lon,
, Branch piazza and end in the ditch
taking from jug a liquid half kere
sene and half whisky. They not onl
t like it, but it is an all-consuming pas
/. sion of body, mind and soul, and afte
| awhile have it they will, though on
l wineglass of it should cost the ten
/ poral and eternal destruction of then
e selves, and all their families, and tn
: whole human race. They would say
e Il am sorry it is going to cost me, an
E my family, and all the wold's populs
0 ton so very much, but here it goes t
= my lips, and now let it roll over m
r parched tongue and down my heate
q throat, the sweetest, the most inspi
( ing, the most delicious draught tina
r ever thrilled human frame. Tocur
+ the habit before it came to its la.
8 stages, various plans were tried j