Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-12-14
THE DYING DRUNKARD

His wife and two little helpless infants. were
standing by his bed-side-she gazing with tear
FIJI eyes on His pale emacated counlenance, while
her little ones chung around her knees, CRYING for
food. Alas to what an awful standing. had he
brought himself and family lie was once hap
py-ay, it ever man was happy held charnc-
ter and reputation unslillied and pure as the vir-
gln snow, was looked upon by all who knew
him with the deepest marks of attention aud res
pect. Where are all those precious Qualities
now! Fled-bured in the depths of oblivion
He became lover of his glass, gradually got
acquainted with loose dissipated company, and
from thence steered direct for destruction and
ruin. His nent little cottage soon lost the mark
OF responsibility which it cherished, his wife soon
med how to weep with breaking heart, his
children soon began to feel the bitter pangs of
hunger, and know the want of warm clothing,
and himself, he soon what ?-No matter look at
him now And thus it is with thousands Men
who would be our more useful members OF So
cety-men who would be ornaments to the
country which gave them BIRTH perish through
the baneiul and accused influence of intoxica-
ting drink. But look-see he opened his hol-
low and sunken eyes, wrapt in haze, and gazed
wistfuly round the room. Margaret he cried
IN tremulous voice, 'where are you? It's
growing so dark and dismal that cannot see -
hush, did any one call me?' mo, no, love, its
no one, sobbed the poor heart broken wife do
you want any thing? If you do, tell me. and,
Stop, then, and III tell you, interrupted he,'
and as he spoke he made convuIsivc effort to
raise himself up in the bed. Where is vour
hand Margaret ?-that: Do you remember how
fused to press it?-when used 10 breath INV
VOWS OF eternal consistency and love to you?-
when the nights bounded away from us. as we
sat locked in each others arms leaving ma in me-
constituent at how they vanished so quickly. eh,'
He had touched chord, tender one. which
hadn't been awoke for years. Samuel, INV own
Samuel answered she, in choaked accents as
she imprinted on his wan but once manly conn
tenance, kiss, 'for my sake lie down, and COM
pose yourself, and all will yet be well with the
help of God, all will yet be WE'LL sAh no Mar.
garet, that can never be- answered he; would
10 God had the opportunity would well profit
by It ;but,'-as he spoke his voice fatered. n few
short moments, and twill be over Where are
my little ones' Bring them to me. tbat | NAV
embrace the nnocents whom have starved and
robbed of their right They were accordingly
brought to him, and, after pressing 10 his bosom
and kissing them ole by one, he requested of his
wl'e to assist him in lying down. This done.
calm and tranquil stiffness rcigned throughout
the apartment, interrupted only by the sliHed
sobs OF the unhappy wife, and the low moaning
OF his children. Death was lowering near b;s
lamp bad burned down to It's socket. and was
hutlerlng. 'Mercy--O Heaven |! were his las,
words. smile played upon his features The
spirit ol life fiew-tlie wife stood "a widow. and
her children were orphans Ulster Missionary.