The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-16
From the New York Sun.

| oSSiSh w Il NCiN WOItuNs
and industrious mechanic of New York,
who was burthen TO himself, curse to
his family, and nuisance to society al
large; in short, one of the most shame
less and abandoned drunkards that ever
took the measure of an unmade grave in
Gotham gutter. He was not weaned
from his degrading propensity by the
temperance, or the tract, or any other So
ciety. Their logic was labor lost on
Tim, who would have uncorked the bot.
tie amidst the quakings and thunders OF
Mount Sitnai, and drained it by the era
ter of exploding Vesuvius. 1t was wo-
mans love that cured him, and all women
may get just idea of their own impor-
tanoU in sovioty Gon his stvry.
Though he had a wife and five beauti-
full children, Tim seemed to be uncon-
scious of the fact. He neglected his work,
squandered his earnings, which daily
grew smaller and smaller, and spent his
time at The pot house, till the high pros
tration of his faculties, or the distasteful
word, "No more trust !" warned him to
seek the shelter of his wfe's care and
protection. His children could not 90 to
school, because learning was dear aud
rum was cheap the landlord dunned for
the rent, and Mrs. Truesdell was obliged
to keep the house, because she had no
dress to appear abroad in, having pawned
the last for fine imposed on her spouse
by the police court. Misery, under dcs-
titulion and famine, stared the unhappy
family in the face. 1t is impossible to
exaggeratc the picture, even had we room
and inclination.
Mrs. II. was heroine though not of
romance. She loved her worthless hus-
band, and had borne his neglect, the
tears of his children, the grippe Of famine,
and the railing of the drunkard, without
repining. Never had her exerlions slack.
cned: never had harsh word passed her
lips. At night, when she put her chill
dren to sleep, she wept and watched for
his coming, and when he did come,
drunk, as usual, she undressed and assis-
ted him to bed without murmur of re-
proach.--At last her courage well nigh
exhausted, and she resolved upon one
last desperate effort.
At night, having disposed of her three
oldest children, she took her two young
est by the hand and bent her steps to the
groggery her husband was accustomed TO
frequent. She looked into the window,
and there he sat, in the midst of his boon
companions, with his pipe in his mouth
and his glass in his hand. lie was eyi-
IDENTIFY excited, though not yet drunk
Great was the establishment of that bad
company, and enormous Mr.. Truesdel S
dismay and confusion, when his wife,
pale as marble, and Leading two ,attered
and barelooted babes, stepped up to the
bar, called for three glasses of brandy
toddy and then set down by his side.
"What the devil brings you here, Ma
2" said he morosely.
at is very lonesome at home, and your
business seldom allows YOU to be there
replied the wife. "There is no compa.
ny like yours, and as YOU cannot come tc
me | must come to you. ! have right
to share your pleasures as well as YOU
sorrows"
"But to come to such place as this y
exposinlatod Tim.
"No place can be improper where my
husband is," said poor Mary. "Whon
God hath Joined together let not man pu
asunder" She took up the glass of al
f cohol.
, "Surely, you are not going 10 drinl
, that :" asked Tim in huge astonish
ment.
e "Why not you say that you drink L
e forget sorrow, and il brandy has that ct
: feet, am sure no living creature has S
: good an excuse for drinking as |. b.
n sides, have not eaten mouthiul TO-DAY
and really need something to suppo
S my strength"
4 woman, woman you are not golr
Il TO give the children such stuff as that
= cried Tim as she handed each Of Il
c childrea a glass of liquor.
k why not! can children have a bctt,
d example than their fathers Is no, VIII
G is good for him good for them also!
IS will put them to sleep, and they will 10
!. get that .Eey are cold aud hungry. Drin
e my children: this is fire and bed, Al