Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-07-07
From the Portland Transcript.
+ SELF DENIAL---A True Tale.

nabn OF lniemperance to which he had long
been addicted He was a remarkable and
extraordinary man. His talents were Of the
FIRST order, and his attainments were of the
most extensive character. In person he
was handsome, and possessed very exterior
grace that could please or attract the eve
tbs manners were of the most pleasing and
fascinating kind, and his conversation was
OF that varied and eloquent nature, that his
company was IN every condition Of society
desired. NO man was more deeply versed
IN classical learning, and in the various
branches OF scholastic philosophy he was
deeply profound. In the lighter branches
tof polite literature he had considerable ac-
quirements, and indeed, in every branch of
intellectual knowledge he was deeply read
He had been compared to Boingbroke, who
il was well known by the profoundness OF
his philosophy and the elegance of his man.
ners could grace and give a charm to the
drawing -room, or teach lessons OF wisdom
in the Academy or Lyceum. At an early
age be married beautiful and charming
woman and from the union OF two persons
so well adapted to each other. il might readi-
ly be supposed that the stream of happiness
would continue uninterrup,edly TO flow; bu,
alas it was soon discovered that the posses
sion Of the highest attainmenls, and the
most exalted genius afforded no security
against the encroachments of vice, whose
course is marked by misery, and whose end
is death. For years he was complete VIC
tim to this degraded and unhappy vice. and
from considerable holiness of reputation,
had sunk into the character of common
drunkard. Poverty had entered his dom-
cile, and he was frequently the subject ofthe
most pressing want. His wife's jewelry
had disappeared at the pawnbroker's. and
his own extensive and valuable library had
met with the same fate Article after art-
Gle Of furniture had disappeared. and moth
ing now remained but that which was Sc
cured by law. His wife. who in her person
had presented all that enborn-p point OF APP
pearance which marks health, had wasted
away to mere shadow. Her disposition,
which had formerly been lively and viva.
cious was now sorrowful and melancholy,
and the children exhibited that raggedness
Of dress. which distinguished the offspring
OF those who are Incorporate.
A more affecting scene can hardly be
imagined than that which occurred on a cold
and bleak day in December. when the mo-
Their was seen pressing an infant to her
breast, crowding TO few embers that still
remained on the hearth. Several small
children surrounded her, crying with the
cold and begging their mother to give them
some bread, but alas she had none to give
them. Along side in one corner, covered
with a WORKOUT rug, lay the husband in a
beastly state of intoxicalion, with q jug OF
the fatal poison at his head--a more distress
ing and heart-rending scene cannot possibly
be conceived-it was one calculated TO draw
tears from the most obdurate heart and soften
the most adamantine soul. There lay the
man whose lofty intellect and splendid tai
enis were well suited TO adore a senate or
rule a nation, a victim TO the intoxicating
draught that has destroyed thousands.
What has just been described is no 6c-
ton 1t is truth, without the aid of ina
gination or the colorings Of fancy. Twelve
months from the period at which our story
commences, on a cold winter evening, might
be seen in a beautiful and snug little parlor.
sitting on a sofa the same gentleman. dress
ed in manner which indicated that he had
no, quite fallen a martyr to that poverty
which is the invariable result of that habi,
TO which he had been addicted His brow
was thoughtful. and an acute observer nigh
perceive a shade of melancholy pass over
his countenance. In the same room, seated
at centre table, was his wife, aitred in
neat and tasteful dress, reading one Of those
beautiful annuals of the season. Several
beautiful children we're playing'in the room.
and their cheerful looks and comfortable
clothing indicated that poverty had no resi-
dence there. This ittle parlor displayed
indeed no tokens of wealth, but evidently
showed signs of comfortable eDjoymenis.-
Two beautiful vases adorned the mantle
piece, and underneath was seen the vivid
light of an animating coal FIRE. before which,
on rug, lay favorite dog, who seemed to
participate in the happiness which appeared
to pervade the apartment. The wife looked
up and casting glence at her husband, OBJ
served, goominess Of countenance which
at once Iiveted her attention. She closed
the book which she had just been reading
and going to him. threw her arms around
his neck, and tenderly inquired if any thing
disturbed him. Il was some moments be-
fore he made her any reply, and then he
said, my dear, must have half pint Of
brandy
The wife became Immediately agitated
and in solictous accents, besought him not
to send for that poison which had formerly
been nearly his ruin She who but few
moments before had been realizing the ieel-
ings of perfect security was now convulsed
with sorrowful anticipalions that renewal
of her husbands former pernicious habits
| was 10 take nlace Her bosom heay we'd with