A Scene from Life

The following thrilling incident is from the Chicago Evening Journal. God grant that many another dram-seller may be brought to see the terrible nature of his work.

"A young man entered the bar-room of a village tavern and called for a drink. 'No,' said the landlord, 'you have had the delirium tremens once, and I cannot sell you any more.' He stepped aside to make room for a couple of young men who had just entered, and the landlord waited upon them very politely. The other had stood by silent and sullen, and when they finished, he walked up to the landlord and thus addressed him: 'Six years ago, at their age, I stood where those young men are now. I was a young man with fair prospects. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, I am a wreck, body and mind. You led me to drink. In this room I formed the habit that has been my ruin. Now sell me a few glasses more, and your work will be done. I shall soon be out of the way; there is no help for me; but they can be saved. Do not sell it to them, sell to me and let me die, and the world will be rid of me; but for heaven's sake sell no more to them.' The landlord listened, pale and trembling. Setting down his decanter, he exclaimed, 'So help me, this is the last drop I will ever sell to any one.' And he kept his word."