Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-10-27
TIM TRuEsDELLs WIFE, MARY.

Timothy Treusdall is the name we shall
assign to very worthy, thriving and in
Gusirious mechanic of New York, who
was a burthcn to himself, curse to his ia
mily, and nuisance to society at large, IN
short, one Of the most shameless and aban-
doned drunkards that ever took the meas
ure of an unmade grave in Gotham gut
ter He was not weaned from his degra-
ding propensity by the Temperance Tract,
or any otker, society. Their logic was
labor lost on Tim, who would have I'M
corked the bottle amidst the quakIngs and
thunderngs Of Mount Sinai, and drained it
by the crater Of exploding Vesuvius. 1t
was a woman's love that cured him, and
all woman may get just idea of their own
Importance in society from his history.
Though he had a wife and five beauti
full children, Tim seemed to be unconcious
Of the fact. He neglected his work, squan-
dered his earnings, which daily grew small
er, and smaller, and spent his time at the
pot house, till the nigh prostration of all
his faculties, or the detestlul words, " No
more trust!" warned him TO seek the shell
ter Of his wife's care and protection. His
learning was dear and rum was cheap; the
landlord dunned for his rent, and Mrs.
Truesdell was obliged TO keep the house,
because she had no dress fit to appear
abroad in, having pawned the last TO pay
the last fine imposed on her spouse by the
Police Court. Misery, utter destruction
and famine started the unhappy family in
the face. 1t is impossible to exaggerate
the picture, even had VIC room and incliua-
ton.
Mrs. I. was heroine, though not of
band, and had borne his neglect, the tears
Of her children, the grippe OF famine, and
the railing Of the drunkard, without repi-
ming. Never had her exertions slackcned;
never had harsh word passed her lips.
At night, when she put her children to
sleep, she wept and watched for his CO.
ming, and when he did come, drunk, as
usual, she undrosscd and assisted him TO
bed without a murmer Of reproach. AT
last her courage well nigh exhausted, she
resolved upon one last desperate effort.
At night, having disposed Of her three
oldest children, she took her two youngest
by the hand and bent her steps to the grog-
gerry her husband was accustomed TO fire.
qucnt. She looked into the window and
there he sat, in the midst Of his boon com
panions, with his pipe in his mouth and
glass in his hand. He was evidently eX-
cited though not yet drunk. Great was
the establishment Of that bad company, and
enormous Mr.. Truesdel's dismay and con-
fusion, when his wife, pale as marble, and
leading two tattered and barcEooed babes,
stepped Up to the bar, called for three glass
es of brandy toddy, and sat down by his
side.
"What the devil brings you here, Ma
ryW said he, morosely.
1t is very lonesome at home, and your
business seldom allows you to be there"
replied the meek wife. There is no COM
pany like yours, and as you cannot come
TO me, must come to you. have a right
to share your pleasures as well as your
SORROWS"
"But, to como to such place as this!"
expostulated Tim.
"No place can be improper where my
husband Isl" said poor Mary. "Whom
God hath joined together, let no man put
hol.
"Surely you are not going to drink
that!" asked Tim, in huge establishments
"Why notl You say that you drink
TO forget sorrow, and if brandy has that
effect, am sure no living creature has so
good an excuse for drinking as /. Besides
have not eaten mouthful to-day, and
really need something TO support my
strength"
Woman! woman! you arc not going
to give the children such stuff as that -
cried Tim, as she handed each Of the chill
dren glass of liquor.
"Why not? Can the children have bet
ter example than their (ather's2 Is not
what is good for him good for them also?
will put them to sleep and they will for
gel that they are cold and hungry. Drink,
my children; this is G"e and bed, and
food, and clothing. Drink-you can see
how much good it does your father.
With seeming reluctance, Mary suffered
her husband to conduct her home, and tina!
night he prayed long and fervently, which
ne had not done before for many years
The next evening as, O Miraciel he &C.
turned homeward with steady step, he
saw his oldest boy run into the house, and
heard him eXclam, 80 mother! here
comes father, and he is not drunk Tears
coursed down the penitent's cheek, and
from that hour he has not tasted strong
drink. He had never been vicious or I'M
feeling, and as soon as his emancipation
from the thraldom Of a debasng appetite
became known, friends, employment and
prosperity returned TO him. AS for Mrs.
Trucsdall, she is the happ:est Of woman,