New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-05
The Drunkard's Death.

but constant process OF cruelty by which drunken
clergyman had murdered his wife-whiie the son,
Young man, was at school. In the NOV. number II
is concluded. The clergyman Persuades bis daugh'
ter TO bring home her brother TO attend the fune-
raj, soIemnly promising 10 abstain from all harsh
or irritating language. She consents-vlsits her
brother. 6nds tina he too, has become the victim
of the wine-cup, and returns 10 her home. Inc
sad tale then proceeds
The morning for my mothers funeral arrived.
NV pen falters, and refuses TO trace the nai "'.e
which it sickens me to recall. Ana yes :. .'-ls
be told / have brought you to the Climax ., ., hu.
man wre,chedness Read and beileYe. Dt you
that the strange tale is true-hoifipie WV, ., A
it is-and yet have survived II. NY 80 49,.
its authenticity Let him carry ~ ~ III. uiunN
.rd,s bah;rs,ion. and call around hiHa lrst the
.a;.e..hl. ,,;s and then the sobbipg children, and
1a. ~, ss,onnd their ears with the history that is
-. a,,r Ola think not for an instant that ex-
.aaer,,;on deforms the uasightly picture The
,,e;ns.. surpasses not the truth Would that both
cemld strike the conscience of one domestic mur
d,rer with efectual sorrow and remorse The
roorninp Of the funeral had come. Ten o'clock
had struck, and my brother had hot yet appeared.
He had arrived from school late on the preceding
evening, and had retired Immediately to rest. L
had received him. for my father had gone to his
bed some hours before. told Kim that our break.
fast hour was nine o'clock, and he promised to
meet his father at the breakfast-able. did not
sleep that night. How could II walked rest
lsssiy about my room, longing for the morning to
come, dreadng its approach, and growing more
and more anxious and alarmed as the clock warned
me at intervals Of its advance. At six o'clock |
rose Another sleeper in the house had been die
turbed before me, and was already moving. This
was my father found him in his library. He
looked pale and wenred, and his usual tremor un-
hinged his whole frame. When opened the
door of the apartment, he started from his seat,
and was frightened.
"Ah-yes," said he, recovering himself, it
is you BE seated, Emma. He has come, of
course 7"
ale has, answered
"Well-and he is wel-disposed, is tranquil as
he should be Oh the sad occasion 7"
"He has said little" replied. " He has not
vet risen. II was late last night when he reached
home"
to.morrow2" 2"
"Itis bis intention
"Good. He will be soon provided for. have
provided for him an appointment in lndlo. ell
him So It is better that he should pass the little
time that he will remain in England away from
home. 1t may save a breach. l cannot brook
contradiction. do not wish to gall and irritate
him. He is overhasty, have heard. But ne
seems pcaceable and disposed to keep SO, think
you said 2"
Early as it was, the wine bottle was already on
the table.
Father" said l, pointing to it, what is
that ~
"Net another drop" he exclaimed impress
lively; "not sup, as am living man. should
have shaken to pieces had | not appeased the
nerves with one draught But have swallowed
it, and am quiet. shall taste no more take |
It away" At the very moment that he made this
request, and as approached the table to comply
with it, he raised the decanter mechanically, and
poured from its contents another glass-full. With
out word or sign, and as if unconscious OF the
act, he drank it off. To such an extent was he
the slave of habit that am satisfied he was igno-
rant of having transgressed the rule which ne had
laid down for himself the very second before.
"Father," said /, for Heavens sake be eau
tious Who shall answer for the effects Of a sim
gle dram? Cease to be master of yourself, and
foresee the consequences. AS sure as am speak
ing there will be mischief that can be for
gotten or repaired. Be warned in time, and avoid
to.night the furious insensibility, from which you
will wake tomorrow to imprecate yourself, and
loathe the very light in which you walk. For
your own sake be advised, and fee, for this one
day at least from the horrible temptation"
"Oh, trust me!' answered my father, made un-
easy by the terms in which l had ventured to ad-
dress him, Crust mel will be wise. here
take the key of the cellar. Let one bottle OF wine
remain for dinner. Produce no more. Ii ask
for more, refuse it. You have me in your keep
ing. Its for you to prevent the mischief that
you dread"
secured the key with eagerness, and taking
him at his word, placed beyond his reach every
means of gratifying the Unsuitable lust. Break
fast wa. announced, and Frederick still was ab-
sent. I could not eat. Food had never been &C
eeptable to my father so early in the day. We
sat in silence, and the cloth removed nn-
touched by either of US. Shortly afterward, a rust
ling and moving about were heard directly over
head, and subdued talking the stairs. A chill
shot through me. The men had come to prepare
the body for IT'S last short journey. 1wept, and
nv father sat over the fire, looking into it, and
thinking, it may be, on the eternity into which he
had hurried the uncompaining sufferer. What an
eternity for him IL left his presence. and stole
TO the busiest chamber in the house, desirous of
another leaye-taking. The coffin was already
closed One person only was in the room, and
tina. was poor Frederick, weeping at the coffin s
foot, with the uncomfortable fullness of heart
broken child. walked to his side, and placed
my hand in his. He closed me in his arms, and
we had not word TO say, until the heart had
wrung its las, tear through his drowned and quiv-
ering eye.
: "Did not,n he said at length tell me,
Eu,ma--did not obey her7"
.'You did, I answered. e You never disobeyed
her."
But did not offer hundred times to come
to her rescue7 Did she not forbid it Z"
"You have done your duty Frederick She