Year: 1876

Daniel Akin had become con-
firmed drunkard So fully had he be-
come under the dominion of the bot
tie. that he was perfectly miserable
when he could not obtain the means of
gratifying his thirst. He had neglect
ed his family till his wife's father had
taken her and the children to the pa
ternal roof. He had spent all his sub
stance in drink and was kept from the
poor house only by performing menial
services for his food and by the kind
ness of Thomas Edgerton, a member
of the Society of Friends, who had
known him from his youth, and who
had a strong hope that, in the course
of time, he would see his folly and
turn again into the right path.


Hoskins, the leading liquor seller of
the place, had let him have drink so
long as his money lasted, but he would
trust him no longer. He was loung-
ing about the saloon one bright moon
light evening, pleading with the keep
er to trust him for drink. His reply
was sharp and unfeeling:


Not drop more, Danielr


He remained while longer and
then left. As the cool air of the even
ing feel upon him he, all at once, gave
utterance to his feelings in the follow
ing strains:


mot drop more, Daniel. Am I
drunk or am | sober? | am sober.
Not drop more. Daniel Did Hos
kins think a drop would hurt me
No; but my money was gone. He had
got all; got everything | had-even the
Bible my mother gave me. He has got
the boots which my wife, with her own
earnings, bought for Jennie. Not a
drop more, Daniel. Daniel what say
you to that? | say so, too. | once
had good clothes, but now [ have moth
ing but rags. Not drop more, Dan
iel. till have clothes again as good as
when Mary and | were married. |
once had a good watch; but that, too,
is gone Not drop more, Daniel,
till have another horse an d buggy as
good as L once had. | once had COWS
that furnished my family with butter
and cheese, but Hoskins has got them.
Not drop more, Daniel, till these
cows or others as good, are mine again.
[ once had this wallet full of bills !;
but now not cent have Igot. Not a
drop more, Daniel, till this wallet is
we'll filed again.


By this time he had reached the
place where he formerly resided, and,
leaning up against the fence, he mused
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 himself: Once | owned this house
and farm. Here was born. Here
my father and mother died [ was the
pride of their hearts; but | brought
down their gray hairs with sorrow to
the grave Here began my married
life, and all that heart could wish was
mine. Here Mary and | took comfort
together until Hoskins came and open
ed his store, and now he calls it his
In that southsroOm my children were
born and there my Jennie died. o, how
sorrowful 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 for me never to strike hel
mother againi can see her now-heI
pale face, her wasted form; but she
cannot come to me again. And o, NY
wife, how shamefully | abused her
1t was not your Daniel that did it
No, it was Hoskins' accursed rum
No wOnderyo were taken from me by
those who loved you and would no
see you abused. They won't have me
in the house; they won't let me live
with you, Not drop more, Daniel,
till this house is mine again. Not {
drop more, Daniel, till these broaC
acres are again in my possession, anC
the wife and children are living il
yonder rooms and we are a happy
family once more. Not drop more
Daniel. Help me, my God, til
all these things are accomplished ]
thank you, Hoskins, for these words
| shall not forget them.


He had become so much occupied
with his thoughts and spoken in tone
so loud that he had not noticed the
wagon which had reached the road, il
which was seated the kind hearted
Quaker before mentioned He stopped
his horse and heard distinctly the Ian.
guage Daniel used AS he closed hi.
soliquy, he turned and saw Thomas
Edgerton, who said:


Daniel, does thee mean to keep thy
vow?'


Yes, friend Edgerton, I do


Thee has promised a great many
times they'd drink no more. What
makes thee think thee will keep thy
vow this timer


/ know, friend Edgerton, l have
often vowed | would drink no more
But now | feel different from what ]
have felt before; my heart is almost
broken and l feel my weakness; and
believe God will help me this time.


God grant that it may be so! Dan
iel, get in and take seat. Thee must
be hungry; will you go home with me !?


On the way the Quaker drew out OF
him all that has been written, and he
advised him to go to California. He
told him to go to New York and work
his way round the Cape. He decided
to do so. The Quaker kindly promised
to furnish him with suitable clothing


Thee would like to see thy wife and
children before the goes 2


/ SHOULDN'T they have become so
estranged from NE; if l went, perhaps
they would not believe me. | think il
would be better they should not know
where [ am. want to surprise them
and hope to do so by coming back a
sober man, and with money enough to
make them comfortable. | prefer that
you and your wife should be the only
persons in the place who shall know
where am or what am doing


Thus, while riding toward the quiet
farmhouse of the Quaker, the whole
thing was arranged. When they reach
ed the farm the horse was put into the
stable, and they entered the house
As they seated themselves before the
fire, the Quaker said to his wife:


Amy, thee can put on another plate
Daniel will stay with us few days, and
then he is going to California.


The good Quaker felt confident Dan.
iel would keep his word this time. A.
the end of few days everything was
in readiness. The old horse was har.
messed and, before daylight, DanieI
Akin was on his way to the railroad
station. He had not been in the vii
lage since the night when the words
Not a drop more, Daniel, were utter
ed. He was missed from his custom
airy haunts; but twas supposed he had
gone on a spree, and 50 nGthing wal
thought of his absence. No inquiries
were made, for all were glad that ht
! 4 oroI -.