The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-07-01
From The Philadelphia Saturday Courier
THE FATAL ADVICE.
A Tale of the Stage Coach.


said " | never drank any spirit till about
three years ago, Just after my youDses,
child was born"
She uttered this reply in suppressed
tone OF voice and with evident emotion.
You have been married, tLgnlp said
the English gentleman.
"les, sir, she replied )" was married
eight years since"
Is your husband iviugl' be inquired.
81 suppose he is, said she; al have not
seen him for more than two years, and do
not know that he will ever come back again. J"
At this moment the old Dutchman shock
his head and the woman bowed down her
face. Her bonnet concealed her features,
but tears were falling upon her cloak. AS
ter brief interval the Enghshman resum
ed the conversation.
al am fearful, said, be, "that YOU have
a bad, perhaps an in.empetale husband
His remark seemed to summon her 10 the
rescue; for wha, may be the nature Of the
domestic strife, foreign interference is sci.
dom welcome by either party.
No, sir" she replied, g! had as good
husband as ever lived, aud there never
was a more temperate man. lie was a
member Of the Temperance society. My
husband was q carpenter aud worked as
ha,d as any man, but be nerer took strong
drink of any kind and if could say the
same thing Of myself, we never should have
parted"
How did you first contract this habit p
said he.
AFTER my las! child was boru," she re.
piled, 81 had severe fever, and was
brought very low. II seemed as though
never should recover NY strength. Oar
doctor, who was a skillul old gentleman,
said nothing would raise me SO soon as a
qitlle brandy. Ny husband asked him il
nothing else would do as we'll, aud was op.
posed to my taking IT, Bus the doctor IN.
sisted upon il. # was not pleasant al first,
but l soon began 10 relish il vtih sug0T,
aud after a months trial, got myself into
such a state could not live without IL
My husband was greatly distressed about
II, aud said be would not have i, in the
house. | then got II privately, and the
habi, got so strong upon me thai used to
be awake very often, thinking how good II
sosld taste in the morning. | have often
said, and say so COW, that would give the
world, q Il were mine, TO be cured Of this
haukering after strong drink. At last my
poor children"
Poor leehl caildten :" c.ied the Dutch
man, as be brushed away tear from his
eye.
Ny poor children" continued the 40
man, began TO suffer, sud my husband
became desperate. AT one time, he would
coax me; and after had kept myself clear
Of il for week or so ne would make me a
present, though he could poorly afford 1t.
At another time when could hold out no
longer, and he returned and found nothing
ready for dinner or supper. aud the chil
dreu cry ing, and his wife untitled for every
thing, be would talk very harshly, and
threaten to leave me. deserved il all, .
said she weeping bitterly {" have thought,
il be should come back would try to do
better and leave it of, though an afraid
should not be ebIe 10. never thought he
you'd really 60 away. lie seemed, OF last,
10 be giving the matter uP. lie lei me 90
On pretty much as pleased. He used TO
take the TWO elder children upon Sunday,
to meeting, and leave me at home, for |
was ashamed to 20 there as folks had be
gan to take no nutice of me. A few DAYS
before be went of he said very little 10 me,
but seemed to be busy packing bis chest.
! thought this was done TO scare me so |
took no notice Of il. He finally put his
chest upon wheeIbarrow and wheeled IT
away. Goodbye, john said I, thinking
he was not IN earnest and was sure be
vas no. when | saw han coming back 10
about an hour, without il. | told hrm he
had made short voyage If Il. He said
nathlng-not a word but took the chi.
dren 90 his lap and kissed them and cried
over them as if his heart would break -
His silence, aud his taking on so worried
me more than all his threats. Next nor
nng he asked me take the three children
and 20 With him to see his mother, who
lived about a mile of. So 90. ready
We had an old dog that watched round the
house. My husband paued the dog
Good bye, Cesar, said he, and sobbed out
loud rs be said it. ! then began TO fear be
was going and, as | thought how kindly
he bad always used me and what msera.
bic wife ! had been to him, could not
help shedding tears. But said nothing,
for still thought be only wanted 70 try nc.
When we got 10 his mothers saw his
chest outside Of the gate. We went IN,
and the old woman began to shed tears, but
said not word. thought he meant 10
leave me. lie looked at the clock, aud
said !, was about time for the stage to come
and turning to me, he took nv hand, but
II was some time before he could speak,
Al last mastering his feelings, Faony 7
said he, there is but one way to convince
you that ! am in earnest, and that is TO
leave you. took you for better or for
worse, but J did not take you for drunk.
ard, aud | canno, live with you az SUCH
You have often said you YVES willing TO part
and could support yourself, if | would sup.