Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-06-07
The .NOaifOr.

A DRUNKARD,S DEATH.

Did you ever see drunkard die!-
Neverr-Then you never saw the most
heart-rending, awful scene that ever
transpired upon earth.
1 once saw q drunkard die. IL was
many years since, but the dreadful
nightisss still as distinctly before me,
rs though Il we're but Yesterday; and
so vivid an imprc ssion did il makeupon
my mind, that I fear il will never be
ef'aced.
He had once been sober and hsppy
man. His business prospcred, his pros
poets fiatteriug, his family-as lovely
a family a. ever existed this side of
Heaven-were all that he could wish.
The sun never shone ons more love,
peace and happiness, than were found
round that fireside.
But IN an evil hour, he tasted the
poisonous cup, and oil was lost. He
became drunkard. Oh that last hour,
the last hour Of the DESTROYER Of him
self, the hopes Of his friends, and the
prospects Of his family. him who
had deliberately brought a blighting
curse upon all that was beautiful. As
he lay upon his bed grooming under
the burden Of guilty conscience, and
his famiiy-they were still lovely, al
though reduced TO beggary by his in
fernal appetite,-gsthcred weeping a
round his bed, l came into the room.
Doctor said he, do you believe there
is bel! Pa heli3' laying strong en-
phasis upon the last word rs he repeat
ed il. Il certainly do replied. Il
know there is,' rejoined he. Il know
there Is, for feel il here-laying his
hand on his breast-I feel il here; the
worm that can never die, the fire that
can never DC quencbed, eternal pun
ishment, endless torments. / feel them,
they have begun TO be my portion,
even IN this world I suggested 10
him that the mercy of God was infinite,
and would be extended even to the
viiest sinner upon repentance. "Re-
Pentanee,' said he, catching nv words,
Repentance, | cannot repent; the
time OF repentance is gone forever! |
canTefect on my treatment to my wife,
on my dreadful abuse Of my children,
on my loss OF respect. honor. and every
noble feeling. and still not be moved
not be penitent. The day Of repent
anee - past-ihers is no hope; | am
lost am losto Horror struck with
his expressions Of despair, and with
the agony depicted in the counienance
Of his wife, and the bursts Of grief
from his children, knew not what to
say. He lay silent for n few minutes,
and then again burst forth into the
most blasphemous expressions Of hor-
ror and despair; and these were fol-
lowed by cry. as if coming from the
world OF wO, for rum; give me some
rum! give me some rum!' Fearing that
IN his Paroxysm Of ragche might spring
troin his bell, and do injury TO those
around, as he bad on similar occasions
exhibited more than human strength, I
ordered il TO be given him. His wife
brought il TO his bedside. Raising him.
self upon his pillow, and seizing TIE
tumbler with q conclusive grasp, in
both his hands, he made an Intellectual
attempt to carry it to his mouth. En-
ragged at his repeated faiiares, coca
stoned by high excitement Of his ner.-
vous system, he uttered dreadful oath,
and called on his wife Tor assistance.
She turned from soothing The distress
OF her youngest child, a beautiful lii.
tie girl OF SOME four or FIVE wears old,
whose excessive grief had drawn the
attention Of the mother even from the
dying husband--tO afford him her aid;
bat ere she could reach the bed, with
hendish laugh, and q WORE than he'll
lish spite, he dashed from him the turn.
bier, and muttering, DGIDnGfiOn! dam
nation! fell back ard expired. OK.