Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1842-06-09

stock for it, and farming utensils, while she fur
nished three rooms with every necessary article,
to which were added few uXuries; but they
had sound constitutions, with habits of industry
and irugaty, the best of all capital in our Tree
and luXuriant country, where wealth flows III eve
nv channel. They were united in their affections,
and strong in mutual confidence. James con-
suited his wife in all the transactions of his farm,
while she was ingenious and diligent i'll applying
every thing for the comfort and happiness Of her
much cherished family. The first streak Of dawn
reused them from their light slumbers, and the
earliest star Of evening lit them TO repose, the
sweet rest of well spent day. No couple
were more constant at church, nor made better
appearancey sthey were sociable and kind to their
ncghbors participating in all the little enoyments
Of life. And how could ruin find an entrance TO
so sequestered aud happy a spot, where every
want was supplied, aud every desire was grath-
ed for their wants were few, and their desires
simple where pleasure, like the early flower of
spring, bloomed from behind every hedge, sprung
up and down in the valley, and shed its bright
face on every hill side. But seed had been sown
from which they were to reap the whrlwlnd.
Mary Duflil was greved that her husband had
returned to the shop for his daily glass of spirit;
but she remembered his many good qualities,
which, in every thing else, led him to do right.
IF he finds it Injuries him he will likely leave it
off HIMSELF thought this coniding woman In
process OF time another son and daughter were
added to the family Mary Duflil found her tolls
greatly increased and her cares pressing heavily
The current of life had strangely lost its smooth
ness nothing prospered it used to; troubles
thickened all around and yet she perceived they
neither dropped from the skies, did they
spring from the earth; the heavens bent over
them as benigny as ever the sun poured his
light aud warmth, the rains descended, the dew
fell and lertllized all their ground; the crops
sprung up g. ripened in rich abundance; health
bloomed in the family g. yet there was something
within that was continually thwarting all these
blessed influences. 1T is that spirit shop that
does it ALL thought Mary Dull, as she looked
upon her altered husband, whose temper was
once as sweet as summer, ever so prompt to act
that he made the rough places all smooth, but
now so slack in all his business that moehs
grew into mountains; his footsteps now were like
one ploughing through bog; life had become
full of little vexatons the fence was broken
down. the sheep strayed away, and one after an
other was found dead; the cows were lost thro'
the same broken fence, aud days were lost in
looking for them; the swine broke from the pens
and rooted up the corn; be was churllsh to the
children, and they were glad when he was gone
away.
With rolling tears, did she entreat her husband
to abandon that shop, never, never TO 90 there a.
gain it would ruin him and bring disgrace and
misery upon his family. James bent like a cul-
prit before the sorrows of his wife; he acknowl-
edged that it was all true, and he feared that the
shop had ruihed him. he had often, he said tr.
ed to break away, but never could get resolution
his tears fell fast to her grieved for he still
Al, | al, 1
amidst all his failing to others ii was ever plea
ure to do any thing for her; he made many pro-
misses but they were like the burnt flax. Too
plainly to doubt was it revealed to her agonizeC
heart, that her husbands locks had been shorn
and that band of iron had been fastened arount
him, which she could never break she had los
her opportunity; once, had she persevered She
might have saved him. All their affairs grew
/, worse and worse The property wasted away lik'
the snow before the blazing sun the crops were
seized for debt on the ground the stock was al
= taken; this poor woman could scarcely get. TIN
necessaries for her little dependent family; tin
farming utensils went one after another, the pillow
and then the harrow, the spade, and then tn
hoe. The beson Of destruction had swept owe
all the premises, the fences were fallen down, tn
5 neighborng cattle strayed in and destroyed wha
= had been left the barn was falling to pieces, tn
mousse leaked III every part OF II, tne WINDOW
t were broken, that it afforded not shelter fror
$ the winds. James Dutlil now became terror t
s his family; he seemed as regardless of their live
b, as of any of the household furniture, which h
= had nearly all destroyed by his violence, an
: their only security at night was for the childre
h to climb into the loft, where his unsteady ste
h could not 90, and his wife, with the younge,
II child, to flee to the barn.
a Mary Dufi now felt herself poor, lone We
S man in the world Few said she to hersel
n will even pity me- every one will say brougl
y all our sulerings upon ourselves yet they woul
/ pity me if they knew all, for what sorrows al
,, like my sorrows; TO live in constant fear Of n
a life to see my poor children so treated that tic
h quake with fear when they even think their fat
s er is coming to see Them so blighted in the
1t youth; they would be happy even if they had n
n any thing, if they were only kindly spoken TO :
and worst of ALL TO see my poor husband, whC
i | remember what he once was, every eye tn
At saw him loved him. now poor degraded o
s. cast; even the children scorn him. 1t seems
IN if my heart would break
id The winter was now approaching; drea
I'd season to those who have no household comfort
e. and it seemed to this poor woman that her fami
so must perish but suddenly she formed the resol
Z to al,oo off, ,bo