Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-01-31
MISOIAMM 4 n . o U So
UNCLE sNOOKs,
b On-A SKETCH FROM REAL LIFE.
TALE TO DE READ.

A TALE 10 DE htAD.
Uncle Shocks had pretty hard time ont
sometimes, when the women folks used 10
come and plague him about not selling any
more to their husbands. There was one Bar
nv Belcbcr, who drank up his farm. They
used to say his old COW chokcd HIM, because
he sold her last of all his stock, and died IN
fit. while he was drinking the very first dram,
that he bought with the money he got for her.
Barny's wife tormented Uncle Zeke from
morning to night and her persecution, to-
yether with the loss Of his property, as al
WAYS thought, drove him out OF his business
and shortened his days. She was proper
fire brand, though she never took any spirit
herself. There was not happier couple IN
our parish when they were first married ana
they had a family of four little children, that
every body used TO notice for their neat up
pearance. I've seen them many time OF
sunday, going to meeting. hand IN hand, aho
all four abreast, with their iather ana mother
Barny was very thrifty farmer, and never
thought he was the man TO die drunkara.-
1t used to be said that there hadn't been
Gkeier couple married in the parish tor many
years for tho they had almost nothing 10
start with, yet they were, both OF them'atnaz
ing handsome to look at they were as smar
as a couple of steel-traps, and very industri
ous into the bargain. They did surprising
well for several years. But he got to be nr
ensign. aud rum and rcgmentals did the bu
siness for poor Barry. in less than no time
When he got to be pretty bud, she first came
10 the house, and then to the shop, to get
Uncle Zeke not TO Iet him have any more
liouor. They had a good many talks about
H. but Uncle Zeke would have his way. AT
,oI Ia md over
10 the shop and gave Uncle Zeke real dres-
sing. before more than dozen customers.
aWell. Nelly Belcher," said Uncle Zeke,
when she came in, resolved to be beforehand
with her, " what do you want to-day"
"Mercy." said she, If cannot have jus
,ice. You know well enough what ] want
now request you once again to sell my hus
band no more spirit"
"And how can help p" said Uncle
Zeke, somewhat disturbed by her resolut'
manner.
81 have taken q lawyers advice" said she
"snd you've no right to sell to commo'
drunkards."
"Do you say that your husband Is com
mon drunkard ?" said he.
aTo be sure do" she replied.
"I really do not think your husband ls
common drunkard, Nelly Belcher," said Vi
Gle Zeke.
"Snooks," said she, clinching her fist, "yo
arc--what you are. You know that Barr
ism common drunkard, and you made him s
YOU old-licensed, rum-seling, church-mer
ber"
"Go out of my shop" cried Uncle Eek
stepping toward her. 4,
wouldn't touch the poor woman, N
Snooks." said one Of the company sht
driven on by the state of her husband al
children" -, =,
aToucb the poor woman !" cried Mel
stretching herself up-and she was the u
lest woman in the parish" let him lay !
weight of his rummy fingers upon me, II
dares; and though I'm poor enough 10 pur'
Heaven knows. III show him I've the spl
of my father. who th,asbcd him, when he
,iyhieen, for stealing sheep-skin. wo
90 out of his shop. nor bulge an inch, VII i
said my say, in the presence OF ye ALL"
Nelly Belchcr," said Uncle Zeke, you
have to pny for this"
"Pay for III" cried Nelly. with scres'
ing voi,e, "and havn't you got your pay {
ready? ilavnt you go, the homestead Al
the stock, and the furniture And didI
Barny pawn the chIldren's clothes, last +
dny, and bring you every cent that he got
them? You've got every thing, from I
ridge pole down; you've got II all he
among your wages of inquiiy = and, as $
saiL this. she gave n blow, with her hst, uF
the top of Uncle Zekc's I'll, that made
coppers rattle pretty lively, tell ye