Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Wayne County, Ind.) 1831-1837, 1837-03-04

sskes il seei quantities - to. besss ~ sind
Once ~ twice, sa very gay psvsy, shs ho1esaoae
memoef W., in the phrase 81 the dsys Mite e1-
cited, bot one gasc il thought; every bod!
dsank; and almost every body became, now ano
then, "erhileynfed." Once, towards the close o.
the session, it was remarked that Prescott spoke
with less than his accustomed ceasness, and much
more than his accustomed vehemence; but the
ready explanation ahe had dined OUT" checked all
further comment. Il
Mr. Prescott returned home. Now for the FIRST
time, the eyes Of his poor wife were opened. She
saw viii, horror and dsmay that her husband, her
loved, her honored husband was drunksrd.. The
bottle was his cherished, his constant companion.
For II his vito forgosten-his children neelcc-
ted-hs business abandoned. She reasoned
she remoDseraied-sheb egged-she impaoFed-in
vain. StllI one faint weak barrier stood between
Daniel Prescott and rum. That barrier was pride.
No onr had seen him drink no one dared call hun
Ia drunkard. Iii. outward respectability was still
preserved. Thus tho summer passed away, and
the time for elecsipg Congressman came no can
didate wss samcd, or even thought Of, in oppose
ton to the popular candidate. On the day Of the
election Prescott called upon by the leading
men Of tho town. The e7er ready brandy bottle
was produced, and it the guest partook sparingiy,
the host made up the deficiencies. They went,
and another troop Of congratua,ing friends called
with them. the squire was equally free. Others
came again and again, the poison was brought out.
Al length squire Prescott was sent for to address
the people. He obeycd the summons, and entered
the Court House: But alas! how changed! the
mornings work told fearfally upon him, aud when
he attempted to address the people, instead ofthe
rich flow Of manly eloquence, to which they had
been accustomed, they heard only the BABBLE Of
|drunkard. After an unmeaning rhapsody Of half
ian hour, Prescott sat down his friends were grew
ed TO the heart; his cncmies-ior all mon have
them, exultcd yet no one spoke: they looked at
each other-they hesitated. Al length an old far
mer from the nei2hborhood, universally respected
for sound sense and sierliDg principle arose and in
a loud strong voice said, ''this won't do: no drum
kard shall ever 60 10 Washington by my vote from
old Massachusetts 81 nominate squire Peabody
for Congress: he at least will not disgrace US by
getting drunk" In an instant all was confusion.
A few voices applaudcd and raised the cry, emo
drunkard.'' Others Observation-Disclosures. All
eyes mean time we're directed to where Prescott
was seated. His friend and parent Mr.. Dodge,
was trying to prevent him from speaking. lie
struggled violcntly and few Of those who had
been most earnest in Tue applause offasmer Harris,
shouted, ''lct MIN speak, let h,m speak, Dodge
in despair gave up the point, aud left the room
With staggering step. Prescott ascended tile plat
form: "Who says | am drunk? am sober
But why should Gil my paper with the rawlings o.
: drunkard? Prescott spoke long enough to force
Ievery friend he had in the house tO.foow tho ex
ample Of Dodge, end abandoned him to hrs fate
:. THE election went on, but tho friends Of Prescott
made opposition to the return Of squire Pcsbody
When Prescott was informed Of the result, he rail
I. ed with furious violence sgainst tho treschery O
his iscndsand tho ingratudc ofhis people. But h
;. soon sought refuge from trcachcry and insratudc
IN the snsensioil''y " intox'catOn. From this mo
y mcnt his progress 10 ruin wss rapid. The onl,
e bond VI restraint that could In any degree hav'
Q contr0lled him, was broken, TO was no longer
: sensible 10 shame, but gave himself up.o bis da'
= ling vice without restraint. lts fruits he soon tas
;, !. ted; bis business fsil awny.his property WI
20 squandeSed-his vito died of q broken heart
y Poverty, rs an armed man, came upon him. Iii
chdreW were taken from him by some relations q
y, his wife--Ee was Left alone.
~ When poverty compelled him 10 cell his house
q Daniel Prescott had taken sooms at The prncips
y hotel. There 10 old not long semain. Ills hi
was unpaid, md the landlord did not hesitate !,
Z torn him that HE rooms wcvs wanted. He sousi
y refuge In humber tavcvn-ihen In ano,hss-tl
:" driven by turns from all, his only home was Il
lowest and vilest grog shop.
One evening, 40 some Of the Young people
e, l-were returning from party, they stumble
W upon the body Of a helpless drunkard, whom Il
a. Keeper Of the gr.,g shop, where no had bcsstte
u. himself. had Cast forth to the cold night Dir.
~ light was brought, and they recognized in the mi
%, csabc object before them, the TEXTURES Of DAM
10 Prescott. What shall we do? said one. 20
20 take him to the r.house," was the reply.-Ths
ne did 50. When Prescott awoke from The drunk,
I'D sleep. he vas in the poor-house. The shock W
us terrible before nigh, he mad, aud three da
after, the body Of Colonel Prescott, the able awy
e the brilliant oralor-,he high-ninded and e
~ !ightencd patrot-was carried from the poor hou
IS. to-,he drunkard's Grave!!
c?
a. A Mr.. 8. Benton adver;scs a performance
!" the way Of tight rope dancing. He has a nam
nc s,ke al Washington, who, we have little deul
10 will one dav give an exhibition of the same kin