Southern pioneer, and Carroll, Choctaw and Tallahatchie Counties advertiser. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-24
THE END OF THE DRUNKARD,

A New York Correspondent of the United
States Gazette, describing an evening on the
Battery concludes his letter with this affecting
incident.
A crowd had gathered near the gate at the
extremity of the Battery, and several voices
rose at the same moment upon the air, crying
for vengeance upon tattered form that reeled
into the enclosure in a beastly state of intox-
ication. He was apparently about fifty years
of age, and was followed by young beauti-
full and interesting girl, not out of her teens.
A moment before saw him, he had raised his
arm and struck this lovely being to the EARTH
For this crowd was pursuing him, and would
doubtless have committed some summary act
upon the inebriated wretch, hadnot the same
delicate form interposed to prevent the con-
summation of the deed. She approached tim
idly and fOndIy begged the monster to come
home. He swore by the living God he would
never return.
! Little did he think, as he uttered the oath,
that the vengeance of that God his sacrile-
gious lips had profaned, was at that moment
hanging over him, and that the angel of death
was waiting upon the waters to bear him with
all his sins upon his head into the presence of
the Greater he had Knocked.
He shook the fair girl from him with curse,
duu StdSSCIcu TIE N CIuSLCI VI
boats was at some distance from the shore,
and few voices were singing one OF Russels
songs. The drunkard contrived to Chamber
up on the uppermost rail, and having seated
himself, called to the singers to perform some
thing lively, or "d-n his eyes, he would come
out there and sing for himself' These were
the last words he uttered. In endeavoring to
change his position, his foot slipped, and ne
fell into the waters TO rise no more. Great
exertions were made by the boats 10 render
him assistance, and more than one daring tel
fow plunged into the sea; but all in yain-his
body has not yet been recovered The tide
was running strong at the time, and we may
hear of his body being washed upon the oppo
site shore in a few days.
The poor girl was almost frantic-she rush
ed to the waters edge, crying "Father father
dear father! for heavens sake save my father'
lit was indeed her father. He had once en-
joyed handsome property, but liquor ruine'
him. He sold his house for it and at last hi
, garments. His wife died from want, and hi
daughter had supported him and three broth
ers by the labor of her hands.
He swore he would never again enter he
: house because she would not give him liquor
/, he cursed her, and died while curse agains
' himself yet hung upon his lips. The daughte
, did not leave the spot before midnight, ant
her cries appalled, the stoutest hearts aroun'
her. Twenty dollars were raised among tn
spectators, but when handed to her, she ex
d claimed, "Nol no! give me my father'
al Poor girl, she called in vain. That fathe
: was in other presence. She was borne fror
!. the place by some friends, and when | left tn
: spot, the lightness of heart which had draw
J! me to the scene had departed. and | felt it a
r most sin to be happy amidst the wretchee
n ness man makes for himself.