Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-12-13
From the Independent Public Ledger.
INSTRUCTIVE TALE.

mo hCS i
We have seldom heard of a tale of
human life more instructive than we
are about to relate. We heard the sub
stance of it related by friend, and
have taken the liberty to throw it into
the present shape, and lay il before our
readers. It's fine illustration OF what
Franklin So much insisted Oh, that in
dustry and temperance are always GER
tain to lead 10 Independence and COM
fort.
Thomas P at the age of is. was, by
the death oil his master, turned loose
upon the world to gain his livelihood
as a shoe maker. He shouIdered his
kit and tent from house to house ma
king the farmers leather, or mending
he children's shoes. At length good
Did man, pleased with Toms industry
and steady habits, offered him small
building as a shop. Here Tom applied
himself TO work with petsevering in
dustry and untirIng ardor. Earlier
than the sun. he was whistlipg over MS
work, and his hammer song was often
heard until the moon of night" He
thus gained a good reputation, and
some of this worlds goods. lie soon
married virtuous female; one whose
kline disposition added new Joys to his
existence, and whose busy neathess
rendered pleasant and comfortable their
little tenement. The time passed smooth.
Iy on; they were blessed with three
smiling pledges of their affection, and
10 few years Tom was the possessor
of neat little cottage and piece OF
land. This they handsomely improved
and il was evidently the abode OF plen
ty and felicity But nov Tom began
to relax from his strict habits, and would
occasionally walk down to tavern N
the nrighborhood. This soon became
habit, aud the habtimperceptisly grew
upon hum, until to the grief of all who
knew him he became a constant loung
er about the tavern and extremely dis
sIrated The inevitable consequences
soon followed: he got in dsbt, and his
tredi,ors soon stripped him of all he
had HIS poor wife used all the arts Of
persuasion to reclaim him: and she
could not think of using him barshly,
for she loved him even in his degrade.
daiion. and he had always been kiad to
her. Many an tarnest petition did she
protfer to Heaven for his reformation,
and often did she endeavor TO work up
on bis paterual feelings. He often pro-
missed to reform, and was at last induced
to stay from the tavern three days to-
ge ether; and his solicitous companion be-
gan to cherish hope of returning happi-
ness. But he could endure It no longer
Betsey.' said he, as he arose from his
work, give me that decanter.' These
words pierced her heart, and seemed to
sound the knell of all her cherished
hopes; but she could not disobey bin.
He went to the tavern, and after some
persuasion he induced the landlord to
fill the decanter' he returned and placed
it in the window Immediately before
him, for said he, ! can face my enc
my. With a resolution fixed upon o.
overcoming his pernlcious habits. he
went earnestly to work; always having
the decan;er before him: hut be never
touched 1t. Again he began TO thrive
and IN few wears he was once more
the owner Of his delightful residence -
H. children grew up and are now res
pectabte members of society Old age
came upon Tom. but he always kept the
dee auter in the window where he first
gut it; and often when his head was
>lIvered over with age, he would refer to
is decanter and laugh heartily at is
singular eject; and he never permitted
It 10 be removed from that window
while he lived; nor was it until he had
eecn consigned to his narrow house.