The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-06-01
JUNE 1, 1926

He finished his education at distant Col
ege, and returned to the village about the
time of his majority, a large party was CIV
en- at old Mr.. Churchill's on the occasion,
and we all went to it, he was still the same
kind, companionabe man, as we had known
him boy, and we all rejoiced in the kind
fortune that restored to our society SO fair
an ornament. But one was there who en-
crossed more attention than our young friend |
himsclf-it was young lady from the city, /
who had come down to spend the holidays
with the family, the daughter of wealthy
merchant, and old friend of the Churchil's; |
and it was even then rumored that she was
intended for the future bride of Charles, and
never did look upon two, who in every
grace and accomplishment seemed better
| fitted for each other.
| In time, splendid mansion arose in the
midst of the clustering beech trees, at the
foot of the hill just below the old Mansion
House. 1t was fnis shed-elegantly furnish
ed-the grounds around it tastcfully laid out
and ornamented with shrubbery. Charles
passed the principal part of the following
winter in the city, and early in the spring re-
turned with his bride. 1t was the same, the
beautiful heir of the Lushington family.
The measure Of his happiness seemed full,
he had no wish ungratifed, no regret to ban
ish.
He used to ride down i'll the fresh and
beautiful spring mornings to the village, to
visit his old companions, there was always
smile upon his lips, flush of health and Joy
upon his cheek. He talked in raptures Of
his situation, worshippcd his beautiful wife,
even to itlolatry, and if ever he was enthus-
astic, it was when he talked Of the plans he
had formed to make her happy; she seemed
| IA wound which all the native kind
ness of his heart clung, the attracting star of
every affectionate hope. And never did the
softening and refining influence of female
worth and virtue show forth more happily
than in the blended nobleness and warmth of
heart that flowed from all his actions.
The village inn, was in these days the
common resort of those who had upon their
hands leisure hour, and Churchill was Of
ten to be seen among those who gathered to
the ievial circle in the shade of the venerable
willow that spread over the green, and the
social glass mingled with the entertainging
tale and the enlivening joke. Charles was
generous, his wealth gave him both the
means to indulge freely in whatever Afford
ed him satisfaction; and his fondness for in
tercourse with society, of which he was the
idol, led him more and more frequently to
vile away his afternoons in this manner But
saw no danger then, and | remembered an
emotion of surprise came over me, when one
day an old white haired man said to him in
my hearing-"Bewar young man Of the So
cial glass" This was quarter OF century
ago.
. Some twenty wears afterwards, the trav-
eller who paused in the quiet village, saw
an enfeebled, tottering man, old in wretched-
ness, but not in years, in rags and intoxca-
ton, hanging about the bar room and solicit
, ing liquor of all who came, he would scarce
! lv believe, if he had everb before seen Charles
: Churchill, that that was him, but a faint and
! meagre resemblance Of what he was, remain
6 ed, vet it was the same orinal whose picture
is drawn above.
The Social Glass, had been his ruin, he
. tasted it first merely in compliment to his as
: socates, to avoid singularity, the habit grad
. ualy coiled around him, and he was COM
/ petely in its power, before he or his friends
/ were aware of it, he strove against it, awhile,
n but he had been awakened to his danger
q too late, the disease was more powerful than
$ he, it conquered, and he finally gave him
. self UP to it subdued and unresising VIC
i tim.
:, . He had many friend who looked upon the
2 2 first symptoms of his approaching ruin with
: heavy hearts, but it was in the bosom of his
4 Young and amiable family that the wound
sunk deepest. His wife, watched the pro-
r gress of his error with all the anxiety OF
I love, which forgets its own fortunes in soli-
9 citude for those of the beloved one, she
strove day by day to win him back from the
paths of folly to herself, all the alurements
a of a quiet home, the soft Establishments OF
;. affection, the claims of an infant family,
we're spread before him, ne was warned
n with tenderness, of the inevitable issue of
i the course he was pursuing. Poor Charles
: he seemed sensible of it all, he wept, he
), promised amendment, and-returhed to
= the social glass.
4 He went down to the loathsome journey
4 of degradation and ruin, step by step. The
:. loss Of health was the first consequence,
:. imbecility of intellect followed, the waste
;. and mismanagement of property ensucd
: His tranquility of mind was destroyed, the
: native kindness of his temper vanished and
IS deep despair, and all the bitterness OF tenn
/. per that springs from the wreck OF peace,
- filled his mind. His house was turned into a
" place of mourning And broken hearted
wife, and neglected children filled up the
melancholy picture of the drunkard's home.
His fine estate fell into ruin like his mind,
heavy claims were raised against him in va
| rous quarters MANY were supposed TO be OF