Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-06-22

woman, and from the union of two pei
sons SO well adapted to each other,
: might readily be supposed that the strcar
OF happiness would continue unintcrrupt
edly to flow: but alas! it was soon dis
covered that the possession of the highes
attainmenls, and the most exalted genu
afforded no security against the encroach
ments ct a vice, whose course is marked
by misery, and whose end is death. Fol
years he was complete victim TO this
degrading and unhappy vice, and from, a
considerable loftlness of reputation, had
sunk into the character Of common
drunkard. Povery had entered his don
icil. and he was frequently the subject Of
the most pressing want. His xfe's Jews
elry had disappeared at he pawrbroker's 5
ard his s0~n extensive and valuable Iibra>
| ry had nie~ with She Same fate. Article
after article gffurniture lad disappeared,
ard nothing now remained but that which
was secured by law. His wife, who in
her person had presented al! that en- bon
point oil appearance which marks health,
had wasted away toa mere shadow. Her
disposition, which had. formerly been live
ly and 4ivacioHs, was now sorrowful and
melancholy, and the children exhibited
that rasedness. Of dress, which dstin.
gnlshed the offspring of those who are in.
temperate.
A more affecting scene can hardly
Oe imagined Than that which occurred
on cold and bleak day in December,
when the mother was seen pressing an
infant to her breast, crowdins 10 lew EN-.
bers that still remained On the hearth.
Several small children surrounded her,
crying WITH Land Begging 'hei mother
10 give them some bread; but alas she
mad none 10 give Them. Along side in
one corner. cuvered with worn out rag,
lay the husband in beast!y state of niox-
lcaion, with u Jug of The fatal p'ison at
his head-a more distressing and heart"
rending scene cannot possibly be conceiv-
edit was one calculated TO draw tears
from the most obdurate heart and often
the most abandoned soul.-1 here lay tie
man whose lofty intellect and splendid
taleu!s were well suited 10 adorn senate
cr rule nation, yic!im 10 the intoxicat>
ing draugh that hls destroyed thousands.
What has just been described is no hc
tion. It is ruth, without the aid of i'm
aglnation or the colur;n5s Of fancy
Twelve months from ,he period at which
.our story. commences, on cold winter
evening, might be seen in beautiful and
snug little parlor, sitting on sofa the
same gentleman. dressed in manner
which indicated that he had not laite fall
len martyr to thai poverty which is the |
inyariable result of that habit to which |
he had been add,cated. His brow was
thoughtful, and an accutc observer might |
perceive shade Of me!anchnly pass |
over his cOuntenance. In the same room. |
seated at center table, was his wife,
attircd in neat tasteful dress, read !
ing one of those beautiful ANIMALS of the |
season. Several bSautiful children were |
playing in the room, and their cheerful |
looks and comfortable clothing indicated
that poverty had no residence there
This little paTlor displayed iadeed no to-
kens Of wealth, but evidently shaved signs
% comfortable eetj9y 9yhehts. Two bsan!i-
ful vases adorned the mantie-2ece, and
underneath was seen the vivid light of all
coal Il e, b. fore which, on a
rug lay favori'e dog, who seemed to
participate in the happiness vhich ap"
peared to pcryade the apartment. The
wife looked up, and casting a glance at
her husband, observed a 6 poniness of
which at once ,iveted her
AtIenioa She closed her book which
she had Just been reading, anil going to
him, threw her arms around his neck,
and tenderly inquired If any thing disturb
ed him. 1t Was some moments before he
made her any reply. and then he said,
ny dear, | must have half a pint Of bran>
ly.
The wife became mmediately agita-
ed and in soicitous accents btsnught
lin not to send for that poison which
lad formerly b4en nearly his ruin. She
who but few moments before had been
'ealizing the feelngs'o of perfect security,
vas now convused with sorrowiul aatiC-
pations, that renewal of her husbands
o'mer pernicicus habits had taken place.
Her bosom heavcd with alarm, and as
he tears gushcd from her eyes, she i'm"
,lored him whom she had loved and adj
'ered to with devoted fidelity, through
,ood and evil report, in disgrace and in
,over'y, that ho you'd not again tempt,
" single Indulgence. recurrence to
Iabits which must destroy their present /
eiicity, aud forever annihilate their fu- t
ure hopes. The children partook Of the {