Year: 1873

firmed drunkard. So fully had he
come under the dominion of his ap-
petite, that he was perfectly miser-
able when he could not obtain the
means of gratifying his thirst. He
had neglected his family till his
wife's father had taken her and the
children to the paternal roof. He
had spent all his substance in drink,
and was kept from the poorhouse
only by performing mental service
for his food, and by the kindness oi
Thomas Edgerton, member Of the
Society of Friends, who had known
him from his youth, and who had a
strong hope that, in course Of time,
he would see his folly, and turn
again into the right path.


The leading publican of the place
had let him have drink so long as
his money lasted, but would trust
him no longer. He was lounging
about the store, one bright moon
light evening, pleading with the pub
lican to trust him for a drink. His
reply was:


''Not a drop more, Danielr


He remained a while longer, and
then left. AS the cool air of the
evening fell upon him, he, all at
once, gave utterance to his feelings
in the following strain:


"'Not a drop more, Daniel Am
/ drunk or am I sober? ! am sober
Not a drop more, Daniel Did
Hoskins think drop more would
hurt me2 No; but my money il
gone. He has got all-got every
thing l had; even the Bible my
mother gave me! He has got the
Boots which my wife, with her own
earnings bought for Jennie. Not q
drop more, Daniel Daniel, what
say you to that? I say so too.
once had good clothes, but now
have nothing but rags. Not a droT
more, Daniel till have cIothe:
again as good as when Mary and
were first married. 1 once had 8
good watch, but that, too, is gone
Not drop more, Daniel till l have
another as good as the one I pawned
to Hoskins for drink. l have seen
the day when I had a coed horse
and buggy, and could ride into the
town in as good a style as any mar
in the place. Not a drop more
Daniel, till l have another horse and
buggy as good as I once had. / once
had cows that furnished my family
with butter and cheese, but Hoskins
has got them. Not a drop more,
Daniel till those COWS, or others as
good, are mine again. / once had
this wallet fall of bills; but now not
a cent have I got. Not q drop
more, Daniel till this wallet is well
filed again"


By this time he had reached the
place where he formerly resided,
and leaning up against the fence, he
mused a long time in silence. He
viewed the desolate place by the
light of the moon, and his eyes
ranged over the house and farm,
once his own. He then said to him
self: "Once / owned this house and
farm. Here l was born. Here my
father and mother died. was the
pride of their hearts; but I brought
down their gray hairs with sorrow
to the gravel Here I began my
married life; and all that heart could
wish was mine. Here Mary and ]
took comfort together, till Hoskins
came and opened q rum shop; and
now he calls it his. In that south
room my children were born, and
there Jennie died. Oh, how sor-
rowful she looked when she saw me
take her boots and start for the store
to pawn them for rum, while she lay
sick upon the bed! And then how
she begged of me never to strike her
mother again! I can see her now,
her pale, wasted form, but she can
not come to me again. And oh, my
wife, how shamefully / abused her
1t was not your Daniel that did it.
No; it was Hoskin's accursed rum
No wonder you were taken from me
by those who loved you, and would
not see you abused. They won't
have me in the house. They won't
let me live with you. Not a drop
more, Daniel till this house is mine
again. Not a drop more, Daniel,
till these broad acres are again in my
and the wife and chill
dren that are living, are in yonder
rooms, and we are a happy family
once more. Not drop more, Dan
iel. Help me, my God, till all these
things are accomplished! l thank
you, Hoskins, for these words. /
shall not forget them"


He had become so much occupied
with his thoughts, and spoken in a
tone so loud, that he had not noticed
the wagon, which, by this time, had
reached the road, in which was seat
ed the kind-hearted Quaker before
mentioned. He stopped his horse
and heard distinctly the language
Daniel used. AS he closed his so
liloouy he turned and saw Thomas
Edgerton, who said:


%Daniel, does thee mean to keeT
thy yOw!'


ayes, friend Edgerton, l do


"Thee has promised a great many
times thee'd drink no more. Wha
makes thee think thee will keep thy
vow this time?'


81 know, friend Edgerton, have


often vowed would drink no more


but now / feel different from what


have felt before; my heart is broken


and l feel my weakness; and / be
lieve God will help me this time.


@God grant that it may be so
Daniel, get in and take seat. The,
must be hungry; go home with me.


On the way, the Quaker drew on
Of him all that has been written, ant


he advised him to go to California
He told him to 60 to New York, an,


work his way round the Cape. H
decided to do so. The Quaker kind
llv promised to furnish him wit
/ l.tabla olOthinO