Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-05-03
VOL. III.

sign Of making Anna rue what she had
said by deliberately intoxicating him
self, but judgment whispered in time
to restrain him-that this would only
be proving her opinion of him correct.
He resolved not to let her see him a
gain improperly excited by liquor,
while he at the same time purposed,by
studiously avoiding her. to show his in
dependence Of her esteem; and altho'
they met occasionally at parties and
balls, he adhered to both of his resolu-
tons, even while be felt piqucd that she
did not appear to notice his neglect;
but one evening he was standing near
her as the wine passed round, and OBJ
served that her eyes were upon him as
it approached, TO show his superiority
to her opinion, he took Il glass, and
reioiced that he had caught glance
of reproach as she turned away. The
determination, partially broken, ceases
to be restraint, and James drank
more freely than ever, until he was cx-
cessively intoxicated.
The next morning brought repent
ancc and regret, for the result OF the
indulgence of appetite, but could not
convince him that the appetite itself
was false, and that he should conquer
it. Once more he allowed himself to
mingle in scenes of conviviality, until
his prudeuce was overcome by the al
lurments around him, and reason was
bartcrcd for moments wild enjoy
mcnt.
One morning, as he was sobcrly re-
flecting over the folly of the preceding
night, and questioning the propriety of
continuing to use liquor, he received a
summons from his sister Alicia.
In mean and unfinished house, in
a poor and disreputable part of the
city, James found the sister who had
sent for him. She was in b. d, having
been beaten by her husband for remon-
strating with him az INST giving their
little boy,wlo was ,arely six years old,
whiskey. Tt mild was beside her on
the bed, inscnsible from drink. In
that abode everything looked wrctched
and miserable. The wife and hus
band had been educated in wealth and
afiluance, and in years past had enjoy
cd many ofthe elcgancics and comforts
Of life. One by one all these had been
wasted by his vice and heedlessncss.-
James could not see this without feel
ing the dangers that besct those who use
alcohol; and after he had done every
thing in his power TO make his sister
comfortable, he sat down for few mo.
merits TO review the past, whose pres
ent was developed in that ROOM
Eight years before his sister had mar
ried man who was in profitable
business, but he sometimes drank to ex-
cess. She had married knowing this,
and her husband had continued to in
dulge himself in liquor until he became
a habitual drunkard. He failed, and
had sunk down, gradually, to be com
pletc sot, without one redecming trait
in his character-brutal and insulting
when most sober, ard sacrificing eve
ry thing to obtain money for liquor.
"Anna was right" said James to
himself, as he rose from tie chair
"There can be no solid expectation of
happiness for any woman Nho marres
a man that uses liquor in any way. /
will join the Temperance Society. He
Immediately did so-and as he left the
hall fthe society, after, signing the
pledge, he walked to the residence Of
Anna. He found her alone, and was
kindly but coldly received.
After the first salutation, James laid
the Pledge upon the work table before
Anna, and said, "There, Anna now
ask you to reconsider the answer you
gave me one month ago, when | asked
you to be mine. / have long been
convinced that you were right, but my
pride revolted against admitting it. /
have however, seen to day, what forces
me to give up my pride to duty. Now
may not urge you to reconsider your
answerW
Anna bent low over The card, and
tears filled her eyes as she read; but
she looked smillingly up, "There is
nothing for me to reconsider, James
nothing to wiIhdraw-but you will let
me ask for brief proof Of your rcsolu-
tion?r
"Yes, dearest. if thou wilt be mine
Il