Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-09-24

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that I felt somewhat irritated at FIRST, as could
get no one to listen to me, every one was 20
anxious to hear himself talk. Alter the glass
had gone round ten or twelve times, they APP
lpeared to be more silent, for in fact most of
them had lost the power OF utterance--I SEIZE
ed upon that opportunity to harangue them,
and was not interrupted-but unfortunately
none of them understood word of what |
said; for they who were not dead drunk, were
fast in the arms of Morpheus. was morti-
fed extremely, and had almost come to the
resolution of abandoning the pursuit. How
ever,I concluded to attend once more, as
much Tor curiosity as any thing else !: like
man who has once taken quld OF tobacco,
he despses the taste and thu practice, yet he
finds it almost impossible to leave off chew
ing.
| On my second appearance, did not care
/ began, for the first time in my life, to taste
of the glass az it passed round This gave
NE flow of spirits which had never felt
before. Like the tree of life in Paradise, it
seemed to open my eyes to see good from
evil Never in my life, before that evening,
did know what real patriotism was. rose
to speak found the usual inconvenience in
not being listened to, as every one was attend
ing to his own story; but the liquor, in addi-
ton to the exhiliration which it gave me, en-
dowed me likewise with the power of invcn-
ton, and soon found means to make myself
attended to. got on table which stood in
the middle of the room, and with voice OF
thunder, called on the company for slence.-
| | spoke with so audible voice, that no one
could be heard but myself. In my speech /
ridiculed, indiscrlminutely, every act of the
administration-and did not fail to pour the
oil of adulation on the head of our favorite
candidate.
From this time forward / became the idol
Of the small circle in which moved, and
was no less enamored of their company, for
they did not fiji totcll me of my consequence
that &" thro70 futtery thick, and some zrii sick"
with any person. In making these new friends,
had quite lost the confidence of my old ones.
They were prudent, sensible men, who never
visited such company, and had mostly embrace
cd the opposite party. But little cared for
tie loss for l considered, the greater the sa-
criice of friendship, the greater the patriot
ism.
At length the joyful news greeted our ears
that Mr.. Jeferson's election was secure
Who can speak the Joy which elated my
heart, and through my nerves in shiv'ring
transports ram Then supposed my for
,une TO be made, and begA, to look for the
re wards of my labor. But alas ! !. looked in
vain Those whose recommendations would
pass at the throne where rewards are distri'
oIted, and whom supposed to be my parti.
;ular friends, although they were under oDil-
lions to me for my services and respected
ny talent for controversy; yet they had long
,ince made discovery which was quite I'm.
nown to me.-they had found out that had
Decome habitual druEkard! and my inebrie.
ty would disqu lily me from holding any Office
of trust This piece of information was nc
less notifying than strange to me, tor saw
Ill my colnpan ons act in the same way, and
.ohe of them counted it drunkenness 10 get a
little fuddled every evening. All my applica.
ions for an office of any kind were in vain
very body seen me staggering in the streets
$50 my race was ruin as politlcian--l had
been disabled in the service, yet could moi
draw pension.
Since matters had come to this pass, was
determined to seek for happiness where l had
lost my cred,t-so took my bitters regularly
and visited every tipping shop in the city
This passed we'll enough for some years till
tippled away the last Of my estate. Then
had nothing to apply to. The time should
have spent in acquiring profession or learn.
| ing trade, had passed in vain political con.
tentions, where l acqaired habits which
never can get rid of. Twas seized with shame
and remorse, and in disgust left my native
nome to end my wretched life among strangers
The only business am qualified to perform
is tina: of teaching country school, and even
in this am at loss; for my hand trembles
at such a rate, that have to qualify myself
with half pint of whiskey before Can mend
pen or set copy.
| We young raen who are yet inexperienced
in the ways of the world, | conjure you by
the love you bear for the happiness of your
friends, for your own responsibility, and your
content for life, to steer clear of politics and
grog shops; these caused my ruin, and am
anxious that every honest man should avoid
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