Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-12
MISCELLANY.
From the American Temperance Intelligencer ]
A Tale Of Truth.


perance of her husband, is one Of the thousand
cases that exist where the moderate drinking lover
has become drunken husband; and should serve
us beacon to all young ladies', OF the present day,
who are about to peril their future usefulness and
peace, by marry ing Temperate drinkers. would
ask, is it not almost certain that young genGo.
man, who drinks intoxicating liquids at all, in this
time Of moonlight, is fast fastening TO run' The
facts which shall state will demonstrate that
every thing, however dear, is sacrificed at the
shrine Of Intemperance. l am unaccustomed to
writing stories, and fear shall not make mine
ineligible.
In the Village of Il, lived an
Orphan, who was early deprived Of her
parents. Her childhood had been watch
ed over, by remarkably pious and dis
Greet mother, who so matured the judg-
ment of her daug Inter, that at the age OF
fourteen, she was almost free from the
indiscretions incident to youth. Marion,
for such shall call the Orphan, had a
patrimony left her, ample for her sup,
port. She was sent abroad to finish her
education. When it was completed, she
returned to her native Village, and was
an object of interest to all who knew her.
The friends Of her lamented parents,
saw in her true representation Of their
virtues. The playmates Of her child
hood, knew her to be the sedatc Marion,
who had SO often borne the prize away
from school. The younger sisters looked
up to her as a guardian angel. Marion
was tall and well formed; she had jet
black eye, and fine complexion. The
expression Of her countenance was sem
tmental; in her eye there was decision;
in her smile complacency; and in all her
movements dignity. Such young lady
of course, would not be unnoticed by the
gentlemen. Many called and talked Of
love; but Mason was thought most fair;
he sought and won Marion's heart her
hand she did not give, until she had the
consent of her guardian, for she was yet
in her minority, and the appreciation Of
her relatives. Mason was much Mari
on's senior, respectable and promising.
Every precaution was taken by her
friends, TO ascertain what Mason's char
acter was, previous to his introduction to
the Orphan. The investigation was
highly creditable to him, and satisfacto-
ry to all. But alas! for his afianced
bride, it was not then esteemed disrepu-
tab Q or dangerous, for man in public
business to drink moderately. In the
anticip ipation Of the wedding-day, moth
ing marred Marion's dreams of bliss, but
the recollection Of her santed parents.
She would often exclaim, Oh! that they
! could have lived to have given me away; ;
! in their counsel, / should have felt safe
and happy. Mason's anticipations were
unalloyed by any unpleasant assoca-
tions.
4 Two years Of Marion's welded life
passed quite pleasantly. Fears respect
ing her husbands habits would some
times haunt her, in his absence, as she
knew his employment was calculated to
cherish them. He continued kind to
her, and she kept all her fears locked up
in her own bosom: but, alas! there did
come change. In the summer of l3-,
Mason returned to his family, after an
absence of several months from home
Marion saw that at times his manner was
changed; but it was only the keen sight.
ed wife, that marked the change. Toe
soon she found that Intemperance wa.
fastening its chains upon him. Marior
strove to conceal his faults, not from
pride, but from principle, and win hin
back TO rectitude; but in vain. Provi
dence laid the rod of chastisement upor
him, in removing from him darling OBJ
ject of his affections. The effect wa
only transient. As soon as he returned
to his former employment and compan
ions, he again used his bottle. Masor
accumulated property, yet every time
he was absent from home, it was evi
dent in the interim, his standard of char
acter was lowered. His associates wer,
dissipated; his feelings became obtuse
Marion felt the blight; her countenanc
became changed; the color forsook he
cheek; her health failed; but she tol
her sorrow only to her God and her pill
low. The habit soon gained such a
ascendancy over Mason's judgment an
plide, that his bloated face and unst ea
dy step, disclosed to the public the fac
which his prudent and affectionate wife
had been striving to conceal; and tn
once doating husband was so changed
that he was found in state of intoxics
ton at the tavern! When his neigt
boris were standing around, as they SUI
posed the dying bed of his wife, Maso
gave up business, but there were n,
many fears entertained that he woul
become bankrupt, for he was in po,
session Of handsome fortune. Fac
show that he was near the climax of h
ruin; he was almost constantly at III