Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-10-23
From the Alassachus, It's Spy.
AN AWFUL WARNING.


Died, in Wcslborough, on the night of the
9th ult., Mr.. Nathan Boyenton, aged fifty
five years.
The circumstances attending this death are
such, that we think they ought to be made
known to the public. His bereuved family
are dcsirous an expose should be made, though
in itself, painful and unpleasant.
Mr.. Boyenton had many years been addict
ed to the Incorporate use OF Ardent Spirit
So long as this was the case, he was poor,and
his family were often deprived Of many ofthe
comforts and conveniences Of life.
The Temperance Reformation at length
came, and rose like the Sun Orig ghtcousness,
with healing in its beams, carrying comfort,
consolation, joy, and gladncss, to the hearts
of thousands Of wives, and mothers, and chill
dren. The general reform, which was gong
on in the community, produced good effect
Oh Mr.. BoycIton. lie became less intem-
perate, more Industrious and healthy, his
family were well provided for, and peace and
comfort entered the abode and rcigned there,
where, before, was wrctchcd poverty and
Widowed raggedness. " The countcnancc
ofhs excellent wife, beamed joy and glad
ness the hearts Of eight amiable and prom
ising children, participated in the happiness.
Mr.. B's. temperance brought with it, its usual
accompaniment, NlfU. More than Il year and
n half ago, he joined a Temperance Society,
which had adopted the principles Of total alb
stincncc. The effect was apparent. He en-
tircly refrained from the use Of Ardent Spirit
as drink. In May or June last, he visited a
store in the south part of Shrewbury. The
keeper Of it is, we understand, licenccd re-
taller of Ardent Spirit, and has heretofore
held some of the highest and most response
Bile Offices in the town. While Mr.. b. was
there, as he afterwards related to his wife, the
retailer told him that the Temperance Socie
ties had other objects in view than to prevent
the drinking Of rum that they sought power !;
that it would not be long, before they would
have the whole rule, and would deprive peo-
! pie of their tea and coffee, and prescribe what
they should eat, and drink, and wear, &C., all
of which, was well spiced with sarcasm, on
Cold Wuin Societies, and sneers at the cf-
fccts those Societies were making. The ef-
feet of this, was, to induce Mr.. b. to violate
Sis pledge, and to buy quantity Of rum,
: which he carried home and drank. At this
time,. when he returned home, his wife eX-
pressed regret that he had brought rum with
him but he repeated what the retailer had
said, and added, If you could hsar--
talk, and see how he understands it, and
what the Temperance Societies mean to do,
you wouldn't ever say any thing more about
my drinking rum he would shut up your
mouth about Temperance Societies pretty
quick"
BY this new indulgence his previous ap-
petite revived; his former habits were re-
sumed. On Saturday evening last, he start
ed with his horse and Wagon for Shrewsbu-
ry, and visited the store above mentioned
where he procured quantity Of rum for him
self and one OF his neighbors. 1t should be
here stated that Mr.. b. was partially intoxca-
ted, when he left home, and tina. his wife
most earnestly demonstrated against his 90
ing but in vain AT what time he left the
store, we do not know but, at half past 10
O'Clock, IN the evening, he was found lying
IN the road, which leads towards his home
lie had probably fallen from his Wagon, and
was instantly killed. When found, his skull
was broken, and he was cold and lifeless.
! Mr.. Boyenton, when not under the infu-
ence OF liquor, was peaccable and quiet
citizen, good neighbor, kind father, and
alfectonate husband. His wife is an excel
lent woman his eight children, some of
whom have become men and women, sustain
unblemlshed characters, and promise to be
useful and respectable citizens.
Here let us ask, what must noiC be the
feelings OF that man, who induced Mr.. Boy
enton to violate lis good resolutions |? But
perhaps he cannot feel? Then let him go,as
the writer Of this article has been, to the a.
bodc Of misery and wretchedncss. which he
has caused. Let him look but moment up
on the weeping and heart-broken mother,
whom he has made a widow, and upon the
joylcss children, whom he has made farther
less. If he will 60 there, and then not feel
and weep too, at the consequence of his des-
olatlng traffic, we would pity and desDise him.
Is this .H,vder? The Law says Z" No. -
The Law sanctions it the Law licenses this
kind Of man-kiling ; thirst for petty gain
sanctions it a total disregard of the welfare
of mankind sanctions it i; but that morality,
which requires us "to do no evil, and TO
" love our neighbor as ourselves, 4" condemns
it. We would not be harsh or cruel, in our
remarks but, when those, comparatively
high in life, will, for the paltry gain Of few
cents, jeopardise and destroy life when they
will destroy the peace of families, we will
speak out plainly ; and, especially so, when,
as in this case, we are informed that this
store is the place OF resort for the worthless
and incorporate, in all the region around ;
and that there, are procured the daily supplies
of that deadly drink, which beggars families.
and makes widows and orphans.
We do not say that poor Boyenton would
not have again become drunkard, or, that
he would not have come to his end in tho
same manner, if the retailer, above mention.
ed, had not persuaded him TO resume his for
mer habits, or had not furnished the rum ON
Saturday night but we say the cause and
effect, are here closely connected, g. that we
are justified ia drawing the inference cspe-
cinllv IN whom A il rpcnllpctod ,Lo, ID
ton was partially intoxicated when the liquor
,vac cold a., h,,,