The North-Carolina standard., 1843-05-31
From the Organ and Washingtonian
THE FEMALE DRUNKARD.


Passing along street in the upper part of ou
city, few evenings since, observed woman
gazing wishfully at row of decanters whicI
graced grocer's counter. A strong light cam,
through the window and shone upon her features
as passed-they seemed somewhat familiar tc
me- L turned back and looked at her again, ant
was panied to see that l had coniectured rightly
She Was one Mrs. T, but what a wreck
could 1t be possible that the bloated face and mis-
SiiaPen being before me was the gay and blithe
some creature who was the pride of all her ac
qualntance, but few years ago! 1t was ever
so. She was thinly clad, and the cold rain was
Pelrng upon her most pitiably. Desiring to
speak, and not wishing to be recognised by hel
just then, mutt1ed my face to my eyes and ask
cd her why she stood there exposed to the storm
ST. said she, 81 have no place to 90 to, and
want some liquor-will you please give me
three cents ?''
exPostulated, and inquired if she had fami-
~. This question, as | expected, at once touch
ed her tender feelings.
"Oh, yes,' she answered, 81 once had family.
a kind and loving husband, beautiful children and
happy homo. But now, wide rivers and high
mountains separate us, and there"-pointing to
inc brandy and rum-"there is the cause of all
that drove them from me, and now am an out
cast upon the world, with not even place to
lay my head -
Such was her tale of misery Methinks had
any rumseler been standing by in the little circle
around, he never could have dealt out another
glass OF the accursed poison without being severe
Iy t"lnged by an accusing conscience.
During the year Of 1s3S the writer became ac-
quainted with Mrs T. at that time Ellen
B; she was gay as the lark-had been
well educated-was accomplished, and indeed
Deautltul-eyes as blue and clear as the sky a.
ooVe' and cheeks that might vie with roses-the
oy OF her parents and delight of her friends Att
Ills 'line' Mr. j., young gentleman pos
'esslng sound principles and a generous heart, |
IND manly altogether in his department, became
ler suitor; they were two just such beings as
eemed designed for each other ;-parents and
rlends approved-and they were married No
me commenced life with more fattering prospects
nan did this pair. Little did any one suppose
nat she was fond of the wine-cup. In company
ne nad contracted taste for cordials and wines,
nd secretly she INDUCED in them while under
er parental care, and the taste was so firmly es-
iollshed, that after her marriage she continued
ne Pracnce. Her indulgent husband did not dis
over 1t for a long time and when he did, remon-
III E0Ilc LDdI nef
we for him, and her selfcontrol, &C., would
revent her from ever going to excess.
lime rolled on, and two lovely children had
cen given them-a boy and girl At this
me the appetite had gained such an overwhelm-
g sway, that the intoxicating draught must be I
dulged, and was, to the neglect of the family .
ntles. Then were the eyes of friends opened { {
len they plead and persuaded with her, for her ,
Vn sake, for her husband and children's sake, c
I'd for friends sake, to abstain,-she promised
do so, and tried but ah she could not with \
and the appalling demands of unsatisfed appe- {
e. and she again relapsed, worse than before,
one night her husband returned home and =
und her drunk! What blow was here for 8
his youthful and future prospects, and his joy il
IS antlciPations! Every effort was made to re- s.
aim her, but without effect. More than once =
tried living away from her awhile, when she g
ould endeavor to do better, and partially reforms
It flnding that she seemed bent on destruction, e
, with the advice of friends, deemed it best for
interest Of their little children to depart from
forever; which he accordingly did, although bi
tn broken heart, and is now beyond the Ale :.
anes, in the fertile valley of the Mississippi. tn
us were ended the bright hopes of this once be
'mising young family. She was left in kind
Ids, hut finally broke away from all restraint,