Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-06-19
FROM tbs eENTLEMAN's MAGAZINE.
THE YOUNG INERRIATE.

nusneu into profound Sience-no air dis
turbed even the pcnsile foliage, that from
many trees, and shrubs, and flowers, in rich
iuxurlance, environcd the house, situate in
one OF natures most beautiful vallies, in the
"Old Dominion"--a land, as well known.
OF traditional hospitality, of generous feel
ings, exalted talents, and Of bad habits.
The litIle wooden clock of mine host had
struck twelve before | retired 10 rest. but
not TO sleep. The monotonoUs ticking Of
my watch, suspended near my pillow. alone
reminded me that any thing with motion
existed 10 nature; all was in deep repose,
save my own thoughts, and these were fast
subsidized into those gentle halfsumbers
that must soon have ended in sleep, exhaust
ed as then was with my arduous days
journey. But tremendous Shrek from
the adjoining room, struck a momentary
horror through my Utmost heart. This was
instantly followed by a most unnatural
laugh--then by horrid impreca,ions--the
by cries of murder" fire" Landlord,
am dying, sinking into hell l"--"Oh, am
lost, water. water | am burning upl"
naturally supposed that the landlord would
have been instantly there-but he came not !;
and. as there was no ntermission TO the
shocking cries Of the unhappy being, | soon
appeared at his chamber door, but was much
astonished TO find it locked on the outside
with q paddock The p1roxsms. growing
still more intense and long, continued, and
finding no hope Of sleep that night, already
far advanced, i, seemed but reasonable
should have an associate in my anxious
vgils; and at length. resolved to seek
companionship with my maitre dhotei,
who had left on my mind very favorable
impression. during the balchour spent with
him before retiring to my chamber. The
moon kindly aided me through a few mar
row passages TO his door, which promptly
yielded TO my tap.
'Sir, can you solve this mystery for me q
you seem 10 have maniac in your house
strange allinnce, this. of hospital and no.
tei-have you 10 means OF slencing him.
so that may yet obtain little sleep p
Who, and what is hel'
II hoped Tor your sake az well as his, "
replied the landlord. "he would have been
silent his night bat poor youth, he cannot
last many nights more--this is the longest
and severest fit have yet known him 10
have; it has lasted, with but few iniermis-
sions, these four days and rs many nights
he is young gentleman Of our nei2hbor.
hood, Of education, wealth.. and high family
has not been from college more than two
years-his excellent and wretched parents
can do nothing with him; he is now under
my care and all this comes. sir from drink
His disease is called mania p0in. AS he
sep: SO little for some nights and days,
thought him so much exhausted before you
came, that he would have sunk 10 sleep
and not have disturbed you so judged i
better 10 say nothing TO you about him."
The noises sril mountaineering
that sckened the heart, shrieks that chilled
the blood. laughter Of no mortal sounds
oaths that demons alone could fashion, al
followed 10 quick succession. wearying n,
ears, and exhausting the feelings.
"The:e is 70 relief for him." said min'
host II dread 10 give him what he mos
craves-lquor il is but fuel to the fire.
that rage within him; water he asks for
but will none Of i,--and medicines can onlJ
be forced upon him. which now seems TO b,
cruel, as the doctor says be cannot live, ant
that his remedies have tailed
Poor human nature. or rather poor beast
ly nature" said !. angrily, following m.
remark moment after, with deep sigh
ana more luhl Hdti.dSluUtu, lou, luut ice
angry and use such word towards el
low being in state Of hopelessness. "Poo
unhappy YOUTH" added |, "would that
could bring thee one moment Of relief; ma
God who alone knowelh the cause OF tn
great nfrmily, find for thee door Of es
cape but. il that must no. be. have mere
on thee beyond the grave
"Oh. dear sir" rejoined the landlord. g
have known many persons far more wicke
than be; for may truly say he is yer
amiable, and charitable, and sensible, whe
sober--neary all his faults proceed from il
ioxicalion. He was 10 have been marie
before this time, to a lovely young woma
hardly; and could Mary Summers see hin
even now, she would break her heart viii
weeping; for she yet tenderly loves hin
He still wears locket of her hair, suspel
ded by black ribbon round his necl
which he would moi part with even for III
.uor; &yet il seems he would coin his body
soul. TOO. for dram, but not thai ocket !"
Some hours passed in these sympa,het
coloquies OH his melancholy condition
but wearied nature made them more stu
gish and forced, until, after having wrur
all the changes on the miseries Of Il
wretched inebriate. the vices and horrors
drunkenness. the mental agonies of h
amiabe parents, sisters. and brothers, al
the deep seated and inexhauslble love
Mary Summers. we were mutually siler
But the groans, and hyslerical laughs al
r.aa1c.l s..nr.cot.ono From Tbs. M "A IL N, n,