The parents are dead, the old farm is sold, and the brothers are all poor.
Rum has done it all.
I do not imply that either of these scenes had any marked influence upon the destiny of the slaves of appetite, except as they were encouraged to pursue a course tacitly approved by the wise and good.
But I am thankful that I did not lend the weight of a straw to the downward slide.

"Woe unto him that putteth the cup to his neighbor's lips!" says the Book of books.

There might be subjoined, "Or helps to hold it there when the neighbor's own hand has lifted it!" Had I my way, not one drop of intoxicating liquors should be sold, except by druggists, and then only by a physician's prescription.
For--and here comes the answer to the second part of my querist's appeal--I hold that pure brandy, wine and whiskey are of inestimable value as medicine.

I know that the judicious use of them as restoratives has saved many lives.

I know, too, how nearly worthless they are where the system of the patient is used to them as daily or frequent beverages.
I hold, furthermore, that there is no sin or even danger--unless the taste be already enkindled--in the occasional use of them in the kitchen, as one would handle vanilla, lemon or bitter-almond flavoring extracts.