Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-20
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
From, the NeW York Journal Of Commerce.
THE DYING MOTHER.

THE DYtAG MOTHER.
Many years have rolled away since witnes
sed the scene now record. During those years
have wandered from my native mountains, min.
gled with strangers, and learned their ways
Yet the event now relate IS present to my re-
collection with aviyidness as if it were an occur
renee of yesterday.
Suffer me, kind reader, to lay before you the
outlines of her history whose death is described
in this story Suffice 1t to say, that her father was
respectable farmer in Connecticut. Although
possessed of but little wealth, vet he was happy
in his domestic relations, and felt we'll rewarded
for his daily toll in being able to maintain
large family Of children. Mary,his eldest daugh.
ter had ever been considered the flower of the
family. tits sufficient for our present purpose
to say, that at suitable age she married an hon
est and intelligent mechanic, whom. for convent
ence sake, we shall call Mr.. B. This event did
not 40 much unite them, as it sanctioned the love
which had long bound their hearts together in a
stronger and mure lasting union than forms aud
oaths. Thrown upon their own resources for sup
port, they immediately set out tor Vermont.
with little or nothing of this worlds goods
Yet they felt rich in the possession of each other.
By their industry and the common blessing of
Providence, they were soon surrounded with the
necessaries and many of the luSuries of life, and
what was still more, they we're made happy by
the birth of sons and daughters
Years of peace, of substantial happiness, pass
ed away, giving place TO those Of ,lIscord and
the keenest anguish. By some incidents. the
suspicion had been awakened in the bosom of
Mrs. r. that her husband was INDUCING too free.
y in strong drink. Daily developments went to
Inc rease her painful solicitude, until the aflict.
ing conclusion was forced upon her mind, that
her husband and protector was really in the
drunkard's path. She felt that she could not
cherish the thought for an instant,-yet when
unable to resist its truth, she would sigh in Sc
cret places, and weep while she prayed for him
she loved.
About this time his partner in business gave
him notice that there must be dissolution Of
their connection. which soon after occurred;
thencefOrth Mr.. Is. spent some of his time III
doing odd jubs. but most OF his hours were idled
away at a tavern, kept by deacon Of the church,
who did not refuse to sell him rum as often as he
wanted.
By this course happy family circle aas invad.
ed, and the springs OF their social joys dried up,
while the hearth around which they were wont
to gather with glad and smiling faces, was. by
drunken father, rendered cheeress aud desolate.
1t is not my object in this paper to detail the
woes of this distressed family. but TO describe the
scene Of their contamination, when she who had
been its prOvder sunk martyr to maternal love.
At this time Mrs B. was the mother of seven
children-three boys and four girls. Two of the
latter were twin sisters. By exertions almost IN
credible. Mrs. B had contrived to keep these dear
ones fran beggar,. supporting them with the la
Dor of her own hands. Week after week and
month after month she went to a barn. and there
toied through the slow revolving hours. at the te-
dious operation Of weaving with loom, to clothe
her children and to buy them bread Some
times the necessaries of life. procured IN this
hard way, would be pawDed by drunken bus-
band to minister to his gra.e-like thirst
By these exerlions, added to the sorrow that
lay so heavily upon her breast. her constitution,
naturally hale and robust, was finally Frustrated.
My own mother had ever taken lively inter.
est 10 this family, and found it necessary, OF late.
to redouble her efforts in their behalf.
1t was one summer evening that she took me
by the hand and led me to the house of sorrow,
that might, for the first time IN my life, behold
mortal in the last great conflict; for Mrs. BIS
maIady had developed itself, and was now has
tening to its issue. Every thing conspred to rem
der the hour impressive. The sun had sunk be.
hind the western mountain, casting over its une-
ven summit the Ta1soI Hs uePd'ubS sio'y we
proceeded slowly along small footpath leading
to the house. and more than once my fears Undue
ed me to turn back, vet my desire to see per-
son die was so strong, that | summoned up my
courage and went ON. AZ we drew near we found
the neishbors assembled in mournful groups be-
meath the trees about the house, speaking in sup
pressed tones, and some affected even to tears.
The house wherein the dying mother lay, was
tenement of the rudest kind. When We enter
ed, an involuntary. shudder came over the as the
eroans of the sufferer fell sadly upon my ears
Never until NY own dissolution. shall forget
the various feelings that agitated my bosom.-
NV wild young fancy had ever pictured death to
me as having actual shape, with naked ribs ard
bones, and eagerly looked about the room, mo-
mentar,ly expecting his hideous majesty to come
in. visibly, and execute his relentless commits
sion.
In one corner Of the room lay the dying mother
directly under window, from which fell the
soiemn evening twilight, plainly revealing the
face Of the sufferer.