The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-02-24
From the Georgia Statesman.
MY WIFE'S INFLUENCE

Mr.. Editor,-For a number of wears I
have been what is called moderate drink
er have never been right negro drunk, -
though have been pretty tipsey''-iust
so as to go by things. AS we live in free
country, conceived every one had a right
to do as he pleased, the opinion of the par
son and the ant-temperance society to the
contrary notwithstanding. My wife, sweet
creature, never would say a word of wrath
to me when | reeted home: but she would
took a great deal Of pity; yes, sir, these
looks of hers would sometimes draw the
tears IN profusion from my eyes.
Last summer she mentioned that Capt
- had quit drinking entirely, because
II was undermining his constitution, and the
physicians told him he would be burnt
up, In two years more. This affected
my feelings, tor, although / did not APP
prehend any danger from my moderate
d' aughts, yet, thought if were compell-
ed to abstain from so delicious a beverage,
to lengthen my days, it would be insuppo1t-
able, aye, worse than the "tooth ache"
But must narrate a little of my history to
show her influence in recovering me from
my destructive practice, and when my hand
gets rid of its trembling, l will give you
another sketch concerning it.
The first Monday in November she arose
earlier than usual. When | awoke, she
was entering the room with warm cup of
coffee; "my DEAR" said she, with as pleas
ant smile as when she first won my heart,
" the new coffee which you bought is ex-
celient," handing me the cup. drank it
OIL, and though had been accustomed to
giving the dram the preference, yet it set
quite well on my stomach.
AS l came into the other room, she was
just seating herself at the breakfast table.
and observed, "come, the mackerel too, is
prime" Who could resist such a sweet
smile as she gave me d? | had not time to
go TO my bottle, but sat down and ate hear
tlly. About IL, returned from transact
ing some business on the plantation, antici- |
pating the pleasure Ia beastly one) of a |
good dram before dinner, when who should I
l find but Mrs. P. and Mrs. N, and the I
young ladies'! After the usual compli-
ments, frose to go the closet, but thinks | |
to myself, it will not do for gentleman to
be swigging down liquor before ladies; and
knew there was no loafsugar for today
so, although my hand was on the latch, | /
passed into the piazza, and took drink of
water. y! L was monstrously dry; in /
wardly cursed the company, but soon re-
turned confused, and found the servant I
handing cool punch. | took a fine north
H"r1 nnrla and snnra. a,in-> L~f~-- A. si.i-
had counted the seUeis 20 learn who wns 90
have the first husband, news came that din
ner was on the table. | stood, as you know
it is polite to follow the ladies, hoping that
| could fitch a swig while they were get
ting their seats but, as | was turning the |
-, Il
" my handkerchief, my handkerchief" l |
hung down my head, for rum had not de- |
stroyed all sense of shame in mel and wen:
to my dinner.
But am wearying your patience; suffice !
it to say that my wife, during the whole |
week, had so contrived it, without my sus-
pecting her stratagem, to obtrude some
thing in my way, either punch or some |
sweet thing, just before my usual period of
drinking; so that lived six days a sober |
man. Then she disclosed to me her fear
full apprehensions of my growing habit
begged of me to look at my emaciated !
countenance, and watch my palsied hand, |
telling me how she had managed for my
good. We shed tears of JOY together, and
made resolution never to drink another
drop. Drinking is but habit, and may be
cured, if we will put it away from our hous-
es and not touch it. l hope other "mod-
crate drinkers" will be blessed with such
" help mate" as is mine. If any one would
have tod me year ago that should so
easily have given up practice, which
considered indispensable to happiness,
should have laughed at him as an ignora-
mus but now am convinced. Let others
try for themselves.
Yours, &C., A. N.