The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-28

affections and her hand to man who had takenth
firststeps in intemperance She had left her home
full Of buoyant thopes--hopes neverto be realized
to spend life Of misery with sot Broken
hearted cast out from the society Of her former
lfrends-frowned upon BY the "good society" hu
mane-spoken of. us the miserable wife of mis-
erabe drunkard-no hand to help, no heart to pity
--sheivery soon became tippler and a drunkard
herself. @'2 ~ VI r
This remark drew all the children around The
mother aud the dying child. The father was sit
ting upon what was intended for bedstead, with.
out bat, shoes or coat, with his hands thrust into
his pockets, apparently Indifferent to all that was
passing around him. His head was resting upon
his breast and his blurred eyes were fastened up.
on the Hooras if he were afraid to look up at the
sorrowing group, who were watching the coun-
tenance of the dying infant. ,apt
There was moment of silence. Not sound
was heard, Even the sobs of the little girl had
ceased Death was crossing the novels threshold
The very respiration of the household seemed sus-
pended; when slight shiverng of the limbs oi
mother, told that the vital spark had fled.
For the first time the father moved Slowly
advancing to where his wife was seated with quiv-
erIng lips, he whspered-''Is Willy dead"--
"Yes, James, the babe Is deadr' was the choking
reply of the mother, who sat as first gazing upon
the face of her little one.
Without uttering another word, the long brutal
lied father left the house, muttcring as he went,
"My God, how long'" =
AT this moment kind hearted lady came in,
who had heard buta few moments ago of the dam
gerous illness OF the child. She had brought with
her some medicine; but her angel visit was too
late The gentle spirit of the babe had fled, and
there remained for her but to comfort the living.
This she did, while we followed the father. We
related to him the circumstances which had led us
to his house, and briefly spoke Of the misery which
inevitably follows in the wake of intemperaDce.
"Iknow it, SIR said he. 81 have long known
it. ] have not always been what you now see me.
Alcohol and my appetite have brought me to this
depth of degradation.
"Why notmaster that appetite' You have the
power. Thousands have proved it,
'Sir, believe IT. know others as far reduced
as myself, restored & made happy; butyou are the
first who ever spoke to me upon the subject and
l had too strong passion for liquor to think of a
reformation myself"
"We, will you not now make the effort''
81 will. 1t has occupied my thoughts during
the whole morning; and now in the presence of
Almighty God, swear never again to touch the
accursed thing which has ruined me and made beg
gars of my family"
Happy enough 10 hear this manly resolution,
we returned TO the house with HMM due time
we made the fact known to the wife-and produc-
ing pledge, the whole family signed it upon the
table which held the body OF their dead child!
The scene was an affecting one.
Two years was passed when the incident was
recalled to our mind by shake of the hand from
gentleman who was returning west with stock
of goods which he had just purchased in New
York. 1t was the man who signed the temper
ance pledge by the side ofthe dead child.