Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-27
F,,om the .N1tionrf IntolIirencsr.


From the National Intciiigenesr.
"HuyTa, ,chafs ne mait,r7" muttered n man Of
INV acqur ntaucc, in thick and gruH voice, in at
tcrnptir 20 enter the door at o'clock in the
ming, DO fell his whole length on the floor. His wife
who had boon sitting up for HIM. was startled from
slcrp into which she had fallen, and suddenly Shrek
cd asif this was new spectacle. She had often sat
up late before now until O'Clock, until the candle
had burnt out, and the cmbers had die0 away TO n
aim and dull cleaning, and had seen her husband
highly excited; but till now, had he Numbered
into the house IN such manner and fallen PROSTATE
like beast before his appalled, and trembling wife
She of good education, gentecl manners,
and delicate scnsbiity, which latter quality, from
the well known influence Of body on mind, had been
much increased by sickness, her sickness itself being
probably much induced by the sight of the growing
habits of her husband rs by any other cause. The
man who now lay before her, unable TO rise was
kind aud attentive husband, seasonsble and boun
h'u providcr, fond lover 10 jealousy, the Joy
aud ornament OF the domestic circle but he had
panions-apd these men had less elevated ideas OF
othc purity Of virtue, aud the dignity and decacv OF
domestic affection. They acted the part oftcmpers:
thoy first dccnyed him by social glass. There was
no harm in that, to be snre None but bigot would
- say he thought there was not but having that
kind Of constitution land there many such) which
quickly assinates itself to the nature of strong
drink he became much attached to daily glass; tins
ofeourse must after while, be increased sustain
the power OF the stimulus In this way he
vent on, gradually increasing the quantity until ne
could stand firm, and full possession Of his
n
man has arrived at this, he has taken toleraby long
stride towards that vortex which hns enguphcd thou
sands. a man that drink pretty freely, do
almost any thing pretty freely. So it was with my
friend. He began to engage in gaming and other
vices, unknown 10 the sober period Of his life as to
the innocent praitlers who chung around the skirts
~ hts coat and avished their little caresses on him
every morning. He was less afectonate--not 80 at
tc1tvo-neglected many little things q husba nd in
which no was formerly pariicular-askcd less fire.
rucntv after tho health and happiness of her who
the bridal hour, had entrusted 10 him. on his oath. to
accept and keep the charge her honor, her happiness
Ms wife and mother, her prospects, her dncacy her
love her all. She the progress Of this dctcsta-
ole habit, bat nor gentle rcproofs rt first parted of
with ooh, don't be foolish, my dear" were final
y replied 10 with sharpness that none can know bu'
the bosom that has been gashed with the wound.
She had no but that Of meek and silent sub
rtisson. This thorny path she trod many dark
and comtortess night; but she was not reused 10 tho
ill horrors Of her situation till she her ado
rcd husband stretched in disgrace before her To
lift him she too weak for the little strength she
Ind, already exhausted by watching and weep-
ing TIL 50 late an hour, and she tried muster cour-
age 10 retire to rest alone, that he nIinht awake
"a sense Of his disgrace. This she did.
md many were the tears that wet her loncv
PILLOW that night / need not pursue the delinea-
ten o. picture SO repusivo. 1t sufficient 10 say
that he from bad 20 worse with accelerated
velocity. After the habit was formed. NOTHING could
dissuade him. The ovpostuatione 81 sober arl
temperate friends-thn sight Of boatnd and .niu-
IN vc:lfrs-the poverty and rags which had often
tcrmnated a commencement with a social glass
chat could hurt nohody"-ho horrors Of a i7il-tlc
fear ofaesperate criine-the spectacle of The aircsr
forms and tho most splendid minds parayzed and To-
stroyed by drinkng-ihe conscious decay of all that
manly and generous in himself-thc Illustration
Of his political hopesandas' but not east the word
Father pratlcd from tho cherub lips fhis little
ones and the tears and love Of who was once en-
twined with every passion OF his sou--all, al Joined
they were with the expectation Of final rctr hnt;on
did not avail to save him. Flo died as he lived
poor, degraded drunken man! he wouid hare ejrca
his fortune, lad he neUer seen glass Of brandy
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