The North-Carolina standard., 1837-11-08
AN AFFECTING STORY.

AN AFFECTING STORY.
1t was in the year lS3-that gentleman dis
lingushed for his talents and Intellectual abilities
suddenly resolved to abandon the habits of intem
peratce 10 which he had long been addicted He
was remarkable and extraordinary man. HIS
talents were Of the most extensive character. In
person he was handsome, AID possessed every
exterior grace that could please or attract the
eve His manners were of the most pleasing
aud fascinating kind. and his conversation was
of that varied and eloquent nature, that his com
pany was in every condition OF society desired.
No man was more deeply versed in classical
learning, and in the various branches Of schol-
astlc philosophy he was deeply profound. --,
+ In the lighter branches of polite literature he
had considerable requirements and indeed, IN eve
ry branch of intellectual knowledge he was deep
ly read. He had been compared 10 Bolingbroke,
who it was well known by the profoandness OF
his philosophy and the elegance of his manners
could grace and give charm to the drawing
room or teach lessons of wisdom in the Academy
or Lyceum. Al early age he had married
beautiful and charming woman, and from the
union of the two persons SO we'll adapted TO
each other. it might readily be supposed that the
stream Of happiness would continue uninteTrupt
edly TO flow. But alas il was soon discovered
that the possession of the highest altainments,
and the most exalted genius afforded no secnl.:y
against the encroachments OF vice whose
course is marked by misery. and whose end is
death. For years he was complete victim TO
this degraded and unhappy vice and from a con-
| siderable loftincss of reputation, had sunk in
character to common drunkard. Poverty had
entered his donicle, ard he was frequently the
subject of the most pressing want. His wiie's
je~elry had disappeared at the pawn brokers',
an1 his own extensive and valuable library had
,,,k 1,to ofor Io
had disappeared, and nothing now remained
but that which was secured BY the law. His
wife, who in her person had presented all that
enbon point of appearance which marks health,
had wasted away to mere shadow. Her dis
position which had formerly been lively and
vivaci0us, was now sorrowtul and melancholy,
and the children exhibited that raggedness OF
dress, which distinguishes the ofsprings OF those
who are Incorporate.
a more affecting scene can hardly be ina
gined than that which occurred On a cod and
bleak day in December, when the mother was
seen pressing an infant to her bIeast, crowding
to few embers that still remained on the hearth
Several small children surrounded her. crying
with the cold and begging lbeir mother to Civ,
them some bread--but alas! she had none to
give them. Along side in one corner, covered
with a worn out rug, lay the husband in a beast
poison at his head-a more distressing and heart
rending scene cannot possibly he conceived i
was one calculated to draw tears from the mos
adamantine soul. There lay the man whos'
lofty intellect and splendid talents were suited t.
adorn senate rule nation, victim to th
D intoxicating draught that has destroyed thou
sands
1 What has Just been described is no fiction
1t is truth without the aid OF Imagination or III
) colorings OF fancy Twelve months from th
: period of which our story commences, on col
n winter evening. might be seen in beautiiu
! and snug little parlor, sitting on sofa the sam
gentleman. dressed in manner which indicate
s. that he had not quite fallen a martyr to tha
g poverty which is the invariable result Of thu
d habit to which h.. had been addicted, His brol
Y was thoughtful, and an acute observer migt
perceive a shade of melancholy pass over HI
, fcountenance. IN the same room, seated at
= centre table, was his wife, a,rired in neat an
: tasteful dress, reading one OF those beautlfr
= ANNALS OF the season. Several beautiful chi
: dren were playing in the room, and their chee
:, ful looks and comfortable clothing indicated th
: poverty had no residence there. This little pa
!" lor displayed indeed no tokens of wealth, b.
evidently showed signs Uncomfortable enjoymen
q rwo beautiful vases adorned the mantle piee
J. and underneath was, seen the vivid light OF a
anmallng TIRE, before which on a rug, lay I
d verne dog, who seemed TO participate in. tt
/ happiness which seemed 10 pervade the apal
}. ment. The wife looked up, and casting glans
IS al her husband, observed gloominess OF count
nance which at once riveted her attention. 81
'f closed the book which she had just been readin
5. and going TO him, threw her arms around b
d neck, and tenderly inquired il any thing distur
d ed him. It. was some time before he made b.
any reply, and then said, my dear,I mast ha
lel half pint OF brandy. .:.ss.sf ze.ss
M The wife became Immediately aeitated, al
in solieitous accents. besought him not to ger
3 ae for that poison which had formerly been near
: his ruin. She who but a few moments befo
hadbsen realizing the feelings ofper3ec.s securit
ed was now convulsed with sorrowful anticipa,io
ist that renewal rf her hsts, nd,s fsrxner
cions habits was to lake place Her bosom hsa
ali ed with aler1 esnd as the tears gushsd from