Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-06-23

inS anu ScIiip. utn, tNt') DdIydi
was ratified by the sociT glass. Ia
those days every side board groancc
under the weight of decanters of spark.
ling drinks, which, like the tabled ser
Pent, fascinated, only 10 destroy. Tn
accustomed, as Alberon had been, to
tho use Of strong drink, IN his less excl.
ting business, il now had II powerful ef
foct OH his brain and nerved him to.dsr.
ing, and even reckless deeds. Many OF
his good bargains, he attributed TO the
exhiliraiing glass but lille did he think
OF the consequences that would follow
indulgence. Sooner would he have
been hurled in poverty, than have drank
one glass, bad he thought it possible he
could have become "a DRU n kAllD
But the downward road oi ruin is often
times descended by rapid strides, and
vortex which has proved Aiaelstrom to
countless host.
Amanda sat one evening, with painful
anxiety, watching the short and lcverish
breaihings of her youngest child, and
listening To every iancied foot fall, for
the return of her husband, ill the clock
told the hour Of midnight. lie was sur
prised To find Amanda up, on his return,
and seeing by her counlenance that she
had been distressed by his long absence, b,
the blush of shame mantled his cheek
lie imprinted kiss on the frverish lips
OF his infant, and said soothingly to his
wife, that he had been detained long er
than he expected, by some friends, but
hoped they had not suffered by his nb-
sence. After some little cordial had
been administered TO their child, which
cansed II To sleep more quietly, the alarm
that the mother felt when alone, subsided
and alter lifting up her soul in silent
gratitude To her God, she retired to that
repose which is sweet TO the innocent
Not SO Alberton Conscience, that in
war6 monitor, was at work IN his breas:
rs the lamp threw its dim light over the
face Of hiJ lovely wife, aud he thought
with what entire confidence she recei-
we'd his slight apology for absence, with
out one 9strustiul look and with what
care and anxiety she had watched their
sweet child, while he was drinking deep
OF The intoxicating bow and joining in
the bacchaDalian revel. Bu., on the
morrow, the noise aud hustle OF busincs IS
banlshed these thoughts from his mind. -
To-day, with him, was as yesterday re-
turned aud his destructive practices con.
tnuod. He sought again the haunts Of
di sipa,ion, and drank yet deeper and
RUM over-mastered his reas, n and con-
science was lulled by the stupifyin
draugbt. The frequent absence, and
late hours Of Alberton, gave Amanda
much unhappiness but her confidence
IN him was so unbounded, that it was not
ill the unsteady step and altered counie-
nance became visible, that the truth
flashed upon her mind and like the
lightning s sudden bolt, struck her to the
earth. But now troubles fell thick and
Isl upon her. Yet she ose, in devoted
woman's energy, and in the true spirit Of
selt-sacrliice, she nerved her soul tor the
trials that awaited her, aud stood erect,
and alone, to bear her burden, and The
burden of him who should have been her
Alberton's career soon incapactatrd
HIM Tor business he made foolish bar
< Rams, und his property, which he had SO
rapidly accumulated, was morigaged To
'niIsiy his dlslrustlul and clamorous cred
tors, some Of whom were instrumental
n his ruin. His family were driven
rom their comiortable-yea, even cle.
,ant housc-to take up their residence
II cold and iorbidding tenement, in n
ack and dirty street ! Yes, Amanda
nd hei little ones, wretchcd and helpless,
lripped oi every comfort, were driven
Iom home where ease, afllucnce and
ontenl had surrounded them, to encoun-
cr hourly distress, and TO experience the
com snd sneers Of an unleeling world.
'ut not word ol reDroach escaped her. /
ho same kind look aud kind Offices she |
estowed upon her husband, that it was ,
vcr her wont to besow in their palmy
ays OF prosperity. But her cup of Bit
'rness was not yet full. Her babe, u /
weet little nursing, had suffered much 7
IT'S mothers neglect of herself, by i
'ng fasting, improper food, and intense Il
nxIety. ., the anguish of the suffering C
olher, as she bcheld disease wasting It's
lie frame, while she was destitute off is
'ory thing that would make it comloIta- o
e, but her unceasing watching.
1 he once high souIed the noble spirited r,
ibenon, a short time since, would have \
ougat the winds. OF heaven too rude to H
81 loo roughly Oh the brow of his love- u,
wIle; & cherished her us tender vine, w
hose ieDdrils OF affection, IN manly pride eo
had delighted to know, were cling ing Nj
HIM Tor support and protection, when ca
nger or apprehc nsion appeared. But az
W he was so stupified with strong drink, hss
At every finer feeling Of his soul had vi
come petrIfed, and he could, without %
morse, leave the beloved wife of his 81,
som, who had been rocked in the lap CO
indulgence from youth up, alone, one &C
the coldest nights in dwlnter, in a er
Id and cherries room, TO watch the m
Il throes, aud close the eyes Of her vi
ing child without fire to warm or ar
ID TO sustain her And while all her al
wers were extended TO impar warmth te
her child, the dews of death frosted on he
golden locks his lileblood had chill 81
al the fountain, and ceased to flow. - he
$ pulse was still. Death had done its no
I'll aud u..,,,I ,,.... Al A.. II -