The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-11-18
THE DEVIL UNDER THE BEE.

day shall we Tx Tor our marriage!
THE DEVIL UNDER THE BED.
Several years since, while jousneyiDg
in the state of New York, i had m inter-
esting conversation with friend on the
subject Of temperance, which made an
indelible impression on my mind. Among
other things. he related The following Off
cumstance: "In this village (said hey a
short distance from my house, lives man
and his wife, both of whom, four OF tive
wears since, were drunkards, but now
ihey are sober and induslrious-are Valua-
BILE members Of society. The history OF
their moral reformation and reformation
is as follows. Some ten years since they
we're married. They were from respects
ble families; their property considerable;
and themselves much thought of in the
village. When they were married, they
made a splendid wedding, and all were
talking of the happy couple, and Of their
aatterine prospects. After the marriage
evening was passed, and they cleverly To-
Gated in fine house and pleasant place.
in the full Tide Of prosperity, much COM
pany came: Friends often called to con.
graduate them. and take glass Of good
Cheer With their friends they drank
and drank again, till they became ex-
Eceedingfond Of the liquid poison. It was
not year from the time the nuptial knot
was tied. before one would enquire OF
another and another if there was not
some thing singular at times in the appear
ance and conduc! Of this late happy pair.
something that indicated degree OF
iintoxication? Saon after such inquiries, IT
was whispered around that he had neg.
lected his business for some time, anu
that she made poor housewife, ana
that their property would soon be gone.
AT length the fact came fully ou: that they
were drunkards. They were often seen
intoxicated. Many wondered at the greas
and sudden change, and ilamented their
ruin. Poverty came ona apace. Fr,enas
cspostula,ed in vain. They seemed to
care for nothing but the intoxicating glass;
and they who had been much loved, be-
gan to be Stunned by all respectable per-
sons. They at length became SO fond OF
spirits, as to drink it several times in the
night after they had retired to rest; snd
the better to accommodate themselves.
they placed keg of liquor under the bed,
out of which they could easily draw TO
satisfy the cravings of appetite. One
night, as the husband awoke from 4Ifs
slumbers and thought OF the tumbler ana
the keg; other thoughts rushed in ana
troubled him. He reflected upon what he
once was-the pride Of family, resPec-
ted and honored BY all. he reflected also
upon the poverty and disgrace he nad
brought upon himself, upon the wresched
condition of himself and companion.--
They had fallen from high elevation
His heart ached. 1t was 100 painful TO
be endured alone. He walked up his vile,
and with a voice of alarm said, Dear
S., the devil is under the bed! she'
somewhat frightened, demanded an ex'
planaton. He then told her oi the
thoughts which had been passing through
his mind, and spoke of the awful infiu-
ence which the 'crit:er' was exerting on
them, over which they had been sleeping.
They talked and wept, and talked again
l. and come fully to the conclusion that
eoil spirits had been haunting their house
ever Since they were married; Mos one
had evcn gotten unde1 the bed, and ,ha1
it was not safe 10 have him there any ion'
Ger, or 10 harbor any of his kindred asso-
ciates in their habIation. They there
fore concluded to eject them sll. The
husband then sprang up, seized first the
enemy nearest at hand, stepped to the
door and dashed him headcng. The wife
in the mean time sought light; the house
" was thoroughly searched. and entirely
exercised. And since Tint hour; icon,
tinued @ my informant, somewha, anim,'ed}
,bcv have drunk no spirits at all, and are
doing Welfare respected, beloved, w.
dus,riuus and pruden,-fast acquiring p'o-
pcrly-ycs, the5 arc doing WELL.
,Ziasi:s Advocate.
Taling Tire by the Foretock.-An ola