Litchfield enquirer., 1831-11-03
From the AlbaHy Daily Adveriisers LIGHTS AND SHADOWS.
A SOLEMN FACT.
The poisonous drug he did not slight,
 Twas preferred hy the grave and gay; He drank, and smidst such vain delight
 EE,.l....,sa ... p sffI .sg .l ..s. .. SS

,l . T He drank, and midst such vain delight T HisyOuth aud heditk soOt passed asOay."
 I In the spring of 1924, became ac-
 quainted with young man whose name I was Newton.' He was gentleman oi
 fine appearance, of fthe most amiable dispo-
 sition, and in fact was the "noblest look ! ing fellow ever saw." He came to our
 village accompanied by young lady, who
 had been absent several months at
 boarding scliool," and had now returned to her parents, "an accomplished lady,"
 During her stay at this school she became
 intimately acquainted with, Mr. Newton,
 whose reputation was unblemished, and l in good improving business. He professed
 attachment to Eliza D. the lady through
 whose means he was introduced to me, and
 'tis not strange that he was accepted.
 Eliza D. was the daughter of reputable
 parents, not wealthy, but possessing sufi-
 cient of this worlds goods to ensure them
 comfort and retirement in their neat man. sion: and no family in this vicinity were
 more "lpoked up to- than was the family
 of MT. ID. Thus situate, enjoying tram
 qnillity and happiness, this amiable family
 lived in the pretty village of w. on Con-
 necticut River, in Vermont. Eliza was
 good girl; indeed her beauty was not stri-
 king, but then her disposition, her mind.
 were the ornaments of her character. She was loved and revered by all who knew
 her, and was celebrated in the little world
 around her. She was known by her atten-
 ton to her parents. and her benevelence to
 the poor. Philip Newton became intimate
 with the family of Mr. D. and the old gen.
 tleman was pleased with his department,
 and was proud to receive him us the future
 husband of their. darling child. Mrs. D.
 was not so pleased, and remonstrated a lit-
 tle, but finally yielded to the opinion ofher
 beloved husband, and finally Philip New
 ton was even welcomed with pleasure by
 each individual of that worthy family. One year rolled into the "back
 ground" and Philip Newton led the pret-
 ty Eliza to the altar of Hymen. They set
 out immediately for c. where Mr. Newton
 lived, ond took possession of the neat dwell l ling he had provided. About one year af.
 ter I witnessed the union of the happy pair, visited them. How was surprisL ed to sec such neatness in the country. Their situation commanded beautiful
 view of the rolling Connecticut, and every
 thing around them gave testimony of the
 perseverance and taste of Newton. Aud
 then within dOors-there was the beauty. A little daughter was in the arms of Mrs.
 Newton, and she held it toward me as en-
 tered the house, and her countenanco told
 the pleasure she felt. I cannot describe
 my feelings as I beheld the happiness
 that reigned uncurbed within this pleasant
 mansion. If fsuch pleasure and enjoyment
 attend married life, then says I, wife
 I'll have soon as 1 arrive home. But 4
 ioGs afraid, and SO gave up the idea of
 binding myself for life. Tired of tho
 country, l resolved to try my fortune in a
 distant land, and without hesitation set
 out. In due time found myself in New
 Orleans. Being successful in procuring a
 lucrative situation, I devoted anytime ex-
 clusively to money making" Fortune
 and were on good terms, and she denied
 me not. in three years after my arrival in
 that " hot place." I found myself in pos
 session of q" five thousand clear"
 thought of it--wanted to see mother, and
 determined--With round sum of lucrt / in my wallet, turned my face and thought towards my home. ." My course la. , tuTuuSU tUe tOWU OI Nss dUU WuSu dIIIV ed in the neat village where three years be- , fore I witnessed such felicity, my hear
 bounded with delight. The stage drove up to the village inn, and I proceeded |, the house of my old friend. Without cer. emony I blundered into the sitting-roonn but strangers were there. excused my. self as we'll as practicable, and inquired for the residence of Mir. Newton. A pool old house was pointed out to me, and soon stood at tho door. I knocked--'twa' opened. Eliza Newton was before me, I entered and seated myself near the fire. | looked around--how gloomy. The pale
 cheek of Eliza was in my sight. Oh how , melancholy a little boy was playing upon the floor; and the little Amelia had Jeff was gone. Poor Eliza ! I felt for; she | seemed another being. l cast my eye. around the smoky apartment, and on abed in dark corner lay Philip Newton. ] } approached the sleeping man, and turning | him to the light, had full view of hii , couutenance. That was changed too.- , He was drunkard. a miserable loathsome drunkard. 1t was not necdful for me to ask why that lovely woman soes so--why the neal white msnsion had been exchanged for the , mean hut. No, twas not needfnl. 'Twas \ rum; the damnable drug which is deaths , first assistant; the article which destroys