{"newspaper_name": "The Columbian fountain.", "edition": "01", "page": "p2", "byline": ""}
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bic, and tavern, until my capital was entirely
wasted, and was thrown out upon society al
most penniless. In this state of desutution. 1
became almost frenzied. thought Of my ear
ly home with al its endearing associations,
and recoected the many happy hours OF
boyhood, when constrained by the vices of the
age, my heart was joyous as a little bird;
which, when contrasled with my present dis
grace and destllution, added additional bitter
hess TO my cup OF sorrow, and pointed more
keenly lbe arrows which ranked in my heart.
| then determined 10 leave Tor the (" far West I"
and did SO wlthoutthe knowledge Of my pa
rents or friends. Ere this lime the fountain Of
their tears are dried, for | expect they repose
in the cold embrace OF death. wandered
through Western cities several years; in my
journeyings have met with those who seemed
TO regard my interests; they have told me of
my errors, and pointed me to refuge from the
"stormy blast " in the Temperance Society y
and an antidote for all my crimes and sin at lis
sacred altar. | have signed the pledge" more
than once; /; and in most instances maintained
my principles for months but by casually
coming in contact with the bewltching fumes
of the ''grogery store " and "grog shop, my
long suppressed appetite, like the pent up vol
cano, again bdrsted forth, so that have been
led deeper and yet deeper into misery. While
in Cincinnati, said he, about one year ago, ON
attending Temperance meeting, was agaln
induced to make another struggle 10 throw OIL
the fetters which bound me, and in the pre-
sence OF a large audience, went forward to
the secrelary's desk, and signed the pledge
again. My situation excited generous SYM
pathy, SO that, after that evening. was taken
by the hand and called brother. This act on
the part of Washingtonianism, gave strength
to my purposes. maintained the true position
of a man for some months, and the people
gained confidence in me. | frequently related
my experience, and now remember how fer
ventY badr the people obeware of the FIRST
GLASS. But let NE close the residue of my life;
shudder in contemplating suffice il to say,
that not being able TO withstand the many
temptations TO which | was daily exposed,
again fell, and oh sir, it is a fall from which
can never hope TO recover. have lost con-
fidence in MYSELF which can never be regained;
and, satisfied as am that the world has no
confidence in me, am utterly reckless of the
present or future. see ruin in the distance.
and it is not very far off but cannot avoid it,
the circles of the gddy vortex begin TO mar
row, the last will soon engulph me, but Lam
like the bird drawn into the serpent's jaws by
the magic spells thrown around it.


He left me with a curse upon the :" FIRST
GLASS" lingering on his lips, and although
many suns have arisen and set since then, yet
the horror-stricken countenance of that unfor-
tunate man is still before me. D. N. 7.


ALEXANDRIA, D. G. January %, 1916.