The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-11-01
RiStellamcoug.

We have seldom heard tale Of humble
life more instructive than that we are
bout 10 relate. We heard the sub
stance Of it related by a friend, and
have taken the liberty to throw it into the
present shape and lay it before our readers
IL is fine illustration Of what Franklin SO
much insisted on, that Industry and TEN
pcrance are almost certain 10 lead to indie
pendency and comfort.
Thomas Pat the age Of Ia was by the
death OF his master turned loose upon the
world, to gain livelihood as u shoemaker
He shonldered his HI and went from house
TO house making up the farmers leather or
mending his chidrcn's shoes. At length
a good old man. pleased with Toms indus
trious and steady habits offered him small
building rs a shop. Here Tom applied
himself to work With perseveriug industry
and untlrlng ardor. Earlier than the sup
he was whisting over his work, and his
hammer and song were often heard till the
"noon of night" lie thus gained good
reputation, and some Of this worlds goods
Tie soon married an amiable and virtuous
fcmae--one whose kind disposition added
new JOYS to his existence, and whose busy
neatness rendered pleasant aud colnforta
Olt lnelT llltit tcHPNlCNt. AtluS tlI1c pas
sed smoothly on-thcy were blessed with
smiling pledges of their affection, and in
few years Tom was the possessor OF the
neat little cottage and piece Of land. This
they handsomely improved ; and it was ev.
identity tho abode of plenty and felicity
But now Tom began to relax from his strict
habits, and would occasionally walk down
TO tavern in the neighborhood This
soon became a habit and the habit imper
ceptibly grew upon him, until to the grief
Of all who knew him, he became almost u
constant lounger about the tavern, and ex-
sremely dissipated. The inevitable consc-
euencc soon followed he got in debt, and
his creditors gradually stripped him of all
ne had. His poor wife used all her arts Of
persuasion to reclaim him and she could
not think of using him harshly. for she low
ell him even in his degradation, and he had
always beon kind to her. Many an ear.
nest petition did sho prefer to heaven for
his reformation, and often did she endeav-
or to work upon bis patcrnal feelings. He
often promised to reform; and was 1T last
induced to stay from the tavern three days
together and his soicitious companion be-
ganto cherish hopes Of returning happiness
Bot, he could endure it no longer. :" Bet
sy," says he, as he rose from his work,
give me that decanter." These words
pierced her very heart-and seemed to
sound the kncll of all her cherished hopes
but she could not disobey him. He went
TO the tavern, and after some persuasion he
induced the landlord TO fill the decanter
he returned, and placed 1t IN the window
:mmediately before him, for" said he, " !
ron E,ce my enemy" With a resolution
6yed upon overcoming his pernicious habit,
ne then went earnestly TO work--always
having the decanter before him but he
never touched it. Again he began to
tbrive--and in few years nc was once
more the owner of his former delightful re
sidcnce. His children grew up and are
now respectable and industrious members
of society. Old age came upon Tom but
he always kept the decanter in the window
where he first put it (; and often, when his
head became silvered with age, would he
refer to his decanter, and laugh heartily at
its singular effects and he never permitted
IT TO be removed from that window while
he lived, nor was it until he had been con-
signed to his marrow home"
Public Leger.
-.sAe~-
Lore.-It has been asked, at what age
people ought TO cease to love. In one
sense. never. In the other, Nature will
tell them. A certain tenderness Of recol.
lection, and sweet and respectful treat.
ment Of one another, will never forsake
those who have known how TO love truly.
FIiai Duty.--There is no virtue, that
adds so noble charm, TO the fnest traits
Of beauty, as that which excrts itself, in
watching over the tranquility Of an aged
parent There are no tears which give
90 noble lustre to the cheek of Innocence,
rs the tears Of flial sorrow.
Slander,rs.-Those who propagate evil
reports, frequently invent them and it 10