The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-03-21
From the Trenton Emporium.
TIE BROKEN LEG.


Bonnard appeared at all times, and eve
ry where before and after mid day, pru-
dent, anniable man; but after dinner, and in
the evening, he was not always precisely
so. III Isct, ne was a true. son of the an
love OF drinking, and new no greater en-
joyment than that of giving amidst con1i
val friends, the inspiring sWigs, Enjoy the
charms Of lhc"-" With laurel crown the
the flowing bowl, and of emptying out
flask of good old Hook, an accompaniment
Had he been satisfied with ore flask, no
body would have had a right to say aught
against him, especially as his income per-
mitted it but one flask was sure to call for
another, even to sixth or seventh.
The mother, sisters, and brothers with
whom he resides, had the modification of
seeing him return home, six evenings in the
week, perfectly intoxicated. Their most
urgent remonstrances were fruitless, and
/ they began to think that his drunkenness
was ourable.-Laura, his sweetheart,
thought so too, for, after innumerable quar-
reIs breach was at length made between
I the lovers, who indeed, were almost as
much as betrothed.
| Hitherto, he had, from a respect to Lau-
ra, maintained at least the outward APP
pearence of good manners ), but now he
! became a shameless and notorious drunk
ard. Almost every night, he either had a
scuffle with watchmen, or slept off his IN
toXication in round house. His health
thereby began to be visibly injured, and
his fortune to melt away. In short, he was
upon the brink of ruin.
Two of his friends who, although they
often drank with him, always kept them
selves within the bounds of moderation
were much grieyed at his conduct, and re-
solved to reclaim the drinker, by method
not the most common in the world.
With this view they one evening accom-
] panied Bonnard to ii public wine cellar,
ana appeared in particularly high spirits.
Old Hook was called for and they encour-
aged him to quaff as much of it as he lik-
| ed, and that was no small dose. He drank
| himself into the clouds.
/ About midnight the two friends began tc
yawn, shut their eyes, and seemed to fall a
4 sleep. Bonnard was delighted for he coulC
now drink another flask without being re
proved by them. Before, however, he hat
/ finished it, intoxication reached its highes
pitch, and he at length fell, deprived o
reason, into sound and deliberate sleep.
Ills lrlenuS INSTABILITY ntdHtcu up iOlI
their pretended slumber, and shook anc
logged him, and, to their great joy, found
that he exhibited no symptoms of wakeful.
ness. BY sign which was previously a
I greed upon, they now called in surgeon
\ who was waiting in the adjoining apart
ments. He immediately entered, bringing
with him splints and other implements fol
a broken leg, and soon laced up the right
limb of tho sleeper, as tightly as if it had
been most dangerously fractured. They
then sprinkled water, upon his face, anc
gave fearful laundering cry.
The sleeper started up-seized instantly
his leg which the splints squeezed, ant
wished to rise from the chair; his friends
however, held him fast, crying out, "Un
fortunate man! stir not--you have .receiv
ed a dangerous confusion. We ha'
scarcely fallen asleep, when, attempting t
go down stairs, you fell, broke your leg
and tainted. We awakened, raised yo'
up, and caused you to be dressed. L
, Heavens name, stir not for your life w
have ordered litter, and it will be her
Immediately to carry you home"
: Bonnard was delirious his fancy mag
, Missed tAO pressure Of tue sphnts to tho pau