Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-03-08

She affirmed, in the most solemn manner
that she know nothing about it; but two
OF the little children in answer to my inqui.
ry told me that they had seen nanny
break open the drawer, and take out the
money, and that she went directly over to
the grocery, and returned about half an
hour after, and went TO sleep so soundly in
her chair, that they could not wake her up
to give them little supper. At that time
went to Mr.. Calvin Leech, the grocer and
told him that wondered as he was church
member, how he could have the heart to ru-
in the peace of my family. He was very
harsh, and told me that every man should
take care of his own wife, and that il was
not his business TO look after mine. | be-
gan TO think with Job, that | would not live
always. Strange fancies came into my
head about that time, and tried hard to
think of some escape from such world OF
sin and sorrow, but kind and merciful
God would not let me take my own wild
way. Tread my Bible and the poor chill.
dren kept all the while in my way, smiling
sweetly in my face and driving all evil
thoughts from my mind. My Oldest boy
was then about seven.-' Don't take on so
daddy, shall be old enough to blow next
year, have tried to keep up for the sake of
these poor children and few would BIZ bet
ter for their years, if their mother did moi
teach some of them to curse and swear.
They have the same bright look, and gentle
temper that my wife had when we were
married. There never was mder tenn
per than Polly's. before this curse came on
the poor creature. Oh, sir, it is nothing bu
rum, that has ruined our hopes of happi.
ness in this world.-How strange it is that
nothing can be done to stay such dreadful
plague
| The collector shook the blacksmith by
the hand, and babe him keep up his spirits
as well as he could, and put his trust in
Gods providence. Promising to make
friendly call in the course of few days, he
took his leave.
This interview with the blacksmith, had
caused his visiter to contemplate the subject
of the temperance reform, somewhat in
novel point of view. The importunatc and
frequently repeated interrogatory of Johnny
| Hodges, Cannot something be DONE to put
an end TO The evils Of intemperanceP TO most
individuals, would appear TO SAVIOR of gross
ignorance, in the inquirer, as to those amaz-
ing efforts, which have already been made,
at home and abroad. But Unjust not be for
gotten, that poor Hodges was no Meoriser
in that department of domestic wretched-
ness, which arises from intempcrance. He
was well aware, that prodigious effort had
been made, for the purifying of the world,
by voluntary associations, adopting the
pledge of total abstinence. He perfectly
understood, that all those, who had subscr-
bed such pledge, and faithfully adhered TO
it, were safe from the effects of intempe-
rance in their own persons. Yet this poor
fellow cried aloud, out of the very depth of
his real misery, Cannot something be DONE
to put an end to the erils of intemperance?
His own bitter experience had taught him,
that there was one person who could never
be prevailed upon to sign the pledge; one,
upon whose faithful execution of her domes-
tic duties, his whole earthly happiness de-
pended the partner of his bosom; the
mother Of his children and she had become
q loathsome and ungovernable drunkard.-
He nationally inferred, he well knew the
fact, from his own observation upon the sur
rounding neighborhood, that such an occur
renee was not of an uncommon character.
Incorporate husbands, Incorporate wives,
and Incorporate children were all around
him. Johnny Hodges was man of good
common sense. He reasoned forward to
the future from the past. He entertained no
doubt, that Notwithstanding the most ener-
getic and voluntary efforts Of the societies
upon the face of the earth, drunkenness
would certainly continue, in a greater OF
less degree, so long as the means of drunk.
enness were suffered to remain. The pro.
cess of reasoning insJohnny's mind may be
very easily described. So long, thought he
as rum-selling continues to be sanctioned by
law, and grog-shops are legaized at every
corner; so long as even Deacons and church
members distill rum, and sell it, reducing the
temperate drinkers rouble to the drunkard's
nine-pence, and that nine-pence to nothing
and jail winning away the bread from
the miserable tippler's children, and causing
the husband and wife to. hate and abhor the
very presence of each other; so long G
very considerable number of persons, who
will not sign the pledge, will be annually
converted from temperate men and women
into drunken vagabonds and paupers. The
, question is therefore reduced to this; Cal
} no effectual measures be provided by law
: to prevent cold, calculating, mercenary
) body of men from trafficking any longer
in broken hopes, broken hearts, and broker
constitutions; and to restrain, at least, dea
cons and church members, who pray to tn
> Lord to lead them not into temptation, from
5 laying SHARES along the highways Of tn
land, to entrap the feet of their fellow crea
/. lures, and to tempt their weaker brethren
!. their ruinl
n A month or more had passed away, be
:, fore the collectors business brought hiI
:, into the neighborhood Of the blacksmith
!. shop. Johnny Hodges was at work
}. usual. He appeared detected and care
n worn. His visiter shoo!. him by the name
e and told him that the doctor said ne shoul
1t consider him, as old Boerhave used to say
II one of his best patients, for God would b
n his pavmaster. 'Nevor think Of the del
n any more, Johnny said the collector
n The doctor has sent your bill receipted
II and he babe me tell you, that if little me-
d ney will help you in your trouble, you shoul
y be heartily welcome to it's Indeed sal
d the blacksmith, the doctor is kind frient
A 4