Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-08-31
AZ I s. q u u u A N Y o
From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
IF MY HUSBAND WERE TO DO SO.
A DOMESTIC INCIDENT.

A DOMESTIC INCIDENf.
'Poor woman! What thousand pities il
is for herp said Mrs. Grimes, with feeling. 4
wonder how she stands it. If my husband
were TO act so, il would kfll me-
q could never stand it in tue world added
Mrs. Pitts. cit is dreadful situation for a
woman to be placed in. Mr.. Larkin used 10
be one of the best of men, and took the best
possible care of his family. For years there
was not happier weman in TOWN than his
wife. But now it makes ones heart ache to
look at her. Oh! it must be one Of the mos,
heart-breaking things in the World to have a
drunken husband
'Well, all I've got to say spoke up Mrs
Peters, with Warmth, IS that don't pity her
much.'
why Mrs Peters, How can YOU talk so ;,
well, don't! Any woman who will live
with drunken husband, don't deserve pity.
Why don't she leave him p
THAT is easter said than done, Mrs Peters,
should think 1t a great deal easier THAN TO
live with drunken brute, and have her life
tormented out of her. If my husband were
to do SO, reckon him and would part before
twenty-four hours
Now Mrs. Peters husband was a most ek-
cellent maH-and sober man, withal. And
his wife was tenderly attached to him. In
regard to his ever becoming driniard she
had as little fear as OF his running off and
leaving her. Still, when she made the last
remark, she looked towards him, (for he was
presently with stern and significant EXPIRES
sion ON her conntenahce. This was not real
~ meant for him, but for the imaginary indi-
vidual she had supposed as bearing the rela-
fg,Nt, f.Nsx lie H.. -. 4 L
You would, would YOU y Mr. Peters repli-
ed TO the warmly expressed resolution uttered
by his wife.
Yes, that wouldp half laughingly and
half seriously retorted Mrs Peters.
You don't know what you are talking a.
bout spoke up Mrs. Grimes.
'Indeed, then, do! ] consider anv woman
a fool who will live with drunken husband.
For my part, have not spark of sympathy
for the wives of drtnkards-I mean those
who live with the men who beggar and abuse
them. Mere disgusting brutes-the very sight
OF whom ought to turn womah's stomach.'
y on were never placed in such si,itaion.
and therefore are not competent to decide
how far woman who continues to live with
a drunken husband is or is hot 10 blame. For
my part am inclined TO think that. in most
circumstances, is the least of two evils.'
This was said by Mrs. Pitts.
Il think you are right there remark e,l
Mr.. Peters. "a woman feels towards her
own husband, the father of her children. and
the man who in life's spring time won her
best and purest affections, very differently to
what she does toward another man. She
knows all his good qualities, and remembers
bnc l.. \
still would love her but for The had infatlia-
ton from which he feels it almost impossible
to break away. The hope that he will re-
form never leaves her. When she looks at
her children, even though abused and neg
lected, she cannot but hope tina, their father
will yet be TO them true father. And this
hope keeps her up
'All NONSENSE Mrs. Peters replied warmly.
ANY woman is. fool TO feed herself up with
such fancres. There is only one true remedy.
and that is separation. That's what I'd do.
and what every woman of sense ought To do
Don't tell me about the hope of reforming
lbs all nonsense: YOU wouldn't catch me
breaking my heart after That fashion Ior any
man. Not ! y
The more Mrs. Grimes and Mrs. Pitts, and
others present argued their side of the ques,
ton, the more pertinaciohsiy did she maintain
the position she had assumed, Until Mr. Peters
could not help feeling somewhat vexed and
some little hurt. He being her husband, and
the only one who could possibly hold the re.
lation towards her of drunken husband; Int
must be the mai towards whoin all her ifHip.
natioh was directed-under the imagined pos
sibiity Of his becoming tipler.
After while the subject was dropped
and DIT the close Of the social evening the
friends separated, and #eiit to their OWL
homes.
1t was, perhaps, Two Months froH, the pc
Rod at which this CONVERSATION 6ccurrgd, tba
Mr.. Peters left his home early in the evening
to attend political meeting-politics at tht
time running high, and hard cider hoWing d
freely as water. lie was in ihs habit Of at
tending such meetings, and of paraking of hi
portion of cider, and at times Of somethin!
stronger; but as he was sober man, and
man, too, Of strong good sense and firm prin
ciples, the thought Of his ever pattaking to-
| freely never crossed the mind Of his wife
Regular in his habits, he was rarely on
| after ooCfock. nm any C,ccasibn p,tt tl,i