The Arkansas advocate., 1831-07-20

ness; and three successive summer sun. smiled on as many lovely babes, usher ed into the worldto cheer parents hearts and cement sill stronger their union oI ioye. During this time William often slpPed the social glass, but was not ot- ten much excited by 1t. Yet he though; ne experienced more joyous feeling when moved by wine on his bridal eve. Inng thanever before ;when hope snatch ed new plnion 10 herself, and flashing through the vista of succeeding years, told him peace and joy would be all his own. A morbid feeling preyed upon him, which he thought liquor only could repress. But conscience stood in the way, and like the angel before Balaam's ass, forced him to stop, but not to re- treat.
 Three years after his marriage I left my native state, to seek in strange land an honorable fortune. left O'Con. her vaccillating between the state of d sober man aid that of q drunkard. I gave him the advice which sprung from the heart of a warm friend. As my business Is not to record my own tale. but that of O'Conner, pass over the i've years during which l remained a. broad, and come to the latterpart of it, at which time l was travelling home ward. As entered the borders of my native State, involuntarily recalled to mind the beautiful lines of the poet- Breathes there a man with heart so dead N bo never to himself has said,
 This IS my own, my native iand.'
 ] pictured 10 myself the raptures of the unexpected meeting between my friends and myself, and among the first, l hugged in anticipated embrace the noble O'eonner, and saw joy bcamine Tn his eyes as he said-sI can now give you sober welcome, and can say on that score l am sans fear, and sans reproch- es.' lncited by these pleasing dreams, ] spurred on my horse to hasten 10 the joyful reality. Naturally sanguine, disPelled every doubt aboet their re- ality.
 'IFthe SUI lit up his evening beams to gid a western sky, before he left the world to darkness and repose, as arriv. cd at the town where intended to lodge for the night. Between joyful anticipa- lions and anxious forebodings, (which would intrude despite my exertIons to drive them of, my soul was soothcd to sadness. l walked down the street un- conscious of what was passing around me, till was startled opposite luna tic hospital. Being in a humor to in- dulge melancholy, resolved to call.- There is something grand and solemn in the contemplation of q human being de. void of reason. His passions, like the eccentric stroke of a thunderbolt, move in no regular orbit, but strike with yio- lence the object which receives their action. l was particularly struck with the appearance of one individual. He would frequently move his hand to his mouth, and Oh taking itsaway, give a blow, which among topers is an appro, bation of liquor.
 sPrime Madeira, by G-.,n at lengtl was his exclamation. ssNo, Ann," he continued, ssi will not drink any more.-- ! know il Is ruinous to my soul and body No, twas not thy fault Ann. Thou arl lovely, gentle, kind and loving; too good for me. 0! give me my wife, he said, ina tone of despair: "my children where are they?'
 He was going on thus when the keep CT brought him to order. At that time l was looking another way. and when turned my eyes to him again, !le was in tentiy eyeing me; his features gradually relaxing; and tic first word Iheard was my name.
 sMy dearfriend, welcome back again Oh! I've had q dreadful dream. | saw my wife turn from my embrace-myse,l incarcerated in q loalhsomc ccll!''
 During this time he was cndeavoring 10 come to me, not knowing what re strained him. At length the dreadful reality broke on his mind, and he melted to tears. soon saw nsat 1t was O'Con ner. l ran to him and clasped himir my arms. The sensations occasionee by this discovery were ovcrpowering.- Il fell senseless at his feet. When awokc l found myself in the tavern iron which l had started in the evening, ant physician attending nc. h the Inosi. ing arose and went to see O'Conner.- The shock of our meeting had restored lis reason, but his life vas nearly spent
 When entered his cell, he reached m, his hand and exclaimed-ssO, my friend 1 have had dreadful night. A mum