Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-03-10
AN AFFECTING STORY.

|
traordlnary man---his talents were Of the most
extensive character. In person he was hand
some, and possessed Of every exterior grace
that could please or attract the eye. His man
ners 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 phi
losophy ne was deeply profound. In tho high
er branches of polite literature he had consid-
cradle requirements, & indeed in every branch
OF intellectual knowledge he was thoroughly
read. He had been compared 10 Bolingbroke,
who 1t was well known by the profoundness
of his philosophy and the elegance of his man
ners, could grace and give a charm 10 the
drawing room, as we'll as teach lessons ofwis-
dom in the Academy or Lyceun. At an ear
| ~ age he had married beautiful and charm
ing woman, and from the union of TWO per-
sons SO we'll adapted to each other. it mi ght
readily be supposed that the stream of happi-
ness would continue uninterrup,edly TO flow;
but, alas, it was soon discovered that the pos
session of the highest attainmeats, and the
most exalted genius, afforded no security "a
gainst the encroachments of vice, whose
course is marked by misery, and. whose end
is death. For years lie was complete vic
tim TO this degrading and unhappy vice, and
from considerable holiness of reputation,
had sunk into the character OF common drunk
ard. Poverty had entered his domlcil, and he
was frequently the subject Of the most press
ing want His wile's jewelry had long dsap-
peared at the pawn-brokcr's, and his extensive
and valuable library had met with The same
fate. Article after article Of the furniture had
disappeared, and nothing now remained but
that which was secured by law. His wife,
who in her person had presented all ha, en-
donIo Mt Of appearance which marks health,
had wasted away to mere shadow. Her dis
position, which had formerly been lively and
vivacious, was now sorrowtul and melancho-
y. and the children exhibited that raggcdncss
Of dress, which distinguishes the offspring of
those who are incorporate.
| A more affecting scene can hardly be ina
gincd than that which occurred on bleak day
in December, when the mother was seen press
| ing an infant to her breast, crowding 10 few
embers which 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, COW
cred with worn out rag. lay the husband, in
a beastly state Of intoxicallon, with a jug OF
the fatal poison at his head. more distress
ing and hcart-rendng scene cannot possibly
be conCeived---it was one calculated to draw
tears from the most obdurate hearts, and soft
en- the most adamantnc soul. There lay the
man whose lofty intellecis and splendid tai
cnts were well suited TO adorn senate or rule
a nation, Il victim 10 the Intoxicating draught
WEIGH had destroyed iousan Is.
| What is just described is no fiction; i, is
truth without the aid of imagination or the col
orings of fancy. Twelve months from the pc
Rod at which our story commences on cold
winter evening, in a beautiful and snug little
paror, sitting on a sofa. was The same gen
leman, dressed in costume which indicated
he had not fallen entirely a martyr 10 that POI
verify which always results from the habit to
which he had been addicted. Ills brow was
thoughtful, and an acute observer might per.
ceive shade OF melancholy pass over his
countenance. In the same room, seated at
center table, was his wife. atired in a nest and
tasteful dress, reading one OF those beautiful
ANNALS Of the season. Several beautiful chill
drea were playing in the room, sand their cheer
4 fu looks and comfortable clothing indicated
that poverty had no residence there This lit
tie parlor displayed indeed tokens ofweallh,
but evidently showed signs OF comfortable en-
ioymen,s. Two beautiful vases adorned the
mantle piece, and underneath was seen the
vivid light Of an animaling coal fire, before
which, on rug, lay tavorite dog, who seem
ed to participate in the happiness which seem
ed to pervade the apartment. The wife look
ed up, and casting glance at her husband, OBJ
served goomness Of countenance which at
onca excited her attention. She closed the
book which she had just been reading, and go
A.. ~. I.. hi
and tenderly inquired ii any thing disturbed
reply, and then he said, ''my dear, must have
half pint Of brandy The wife became i'm
nedia,ely agilaled, and Fin solici,ous accents
besought him not TO send for that poison which
had formerly been nearly his ruin. She who
but few hours before had been realizing per-
feet security, was now convnlsed with sorrow
full anticipations that renewal Of her hus-
bands former pernicious habits was 10 take
place. Her bosom heaved with alarm, and as
the tears gushed from her eyes, she implored
him whom she had loved and adhered 10 with
devoted fidelity, through good and evil re.
port, in disgrace and poverty, that he would
not again tempt by single indulgence, re-
curence 10 habits which must destroy their
present felicity, and forever apnihilate future
hopes. The children partook Of the sorrow Of
their mother; they left their innocent amuse-
menf. and with tears in their little eyes beg
ged their papa not TO get any more OF that stun
which made them poor, and lhsir mamma cry.
But The husband appeared 10 be insenslbIe to
the aflectiOnate circumstances OF his wife ana
the arless pcrsnasions Of his children. HIS
el6est daughter. who on former occasions had
gone IN this erraDd, was now compelled to
| perform this; the brandy was obtained, and
! his wife looked with fearful and painful fore
bodinp upon the Jecanter which contained the
fatal poison. He looked upon the brandy; and
approaching the table with a chair, he sat down
and took the decanter in his hand; he held it