Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-03-26
FIRST AND LAST VISIT TO A DRAN
SHOP


Timothy Truesdell is the name we shall assign
TO very worthy, industrious mechanic of n York,
who became a burthen to himself, curse to his
family, and nuisance to society at large in short
one of the most shameless and abandoned drunk
ards, that ever took the measure of an unmade
grave in Gotham gutter. He was not weaned
from his degraded propensity by the temperance or
the tract or any other society. Their logic was
lost on him. who would have uncorked the bottle
amid the quakings and thunders of Mount Sinai,
and drained it by the crater of exploding Vesuvi-
u.s. 1t was womans love that cured him, and all
women may get just idea of their own importance
in society, from his story.
Though he had wife and five children. Tim
seemed unconscious of the fact. lie neglected his
work, squandered his earnings, which daily grew
smaller, and spent his time in pot-house till the
nigh prostraton of all his faculties, or the dstaste-
iul words, " no more trusw warned him to seek the
shelter Of his wfes care and protection Her chill
dren could not 90 to school, because learning was
dear and rum was cheap; the landlord dunned for
his rent, and Mrs. Il. was obliged to keep at home,
as she had no dress fit to appear abroad in, having
pawned the last to pay fine imposed upon her
spouse by the police court Misery utter destitu-
ton and famine stared the unhappy family in the
face. 1t is impossible to exaggerate the picture,
had we room or inclination. She loved her worth
less husband, and had borne his neglect the tears
OF her children, the grippe of famine and the rail-
! ing of the drunkard, without repnng. Never had
her eXertons slackened- had harsh word
passed her lips. AZ night, when she put her chill
dren to Sleep she wept and watched for his COM
ing, and when he did come, drunk, as usual she
undressed and assisted him to bed, without MUIR
muir OF reproach. At1ength, her courage well nigh
exhausted, she resolved upon one last desperate eff
fort.
At night, having disposed of her three oldest
children she took the two youngest by the hand
and bent her steps to the grocery her husband was
accustomed to frequent She looked into the win
dow and there he sat in the midst of his boon COM
panions, with his pipe in his mouth and his glass
IN his hand. Great was the establishment of that
bad company, and enormous Mr.. Trusdell's dismay
and conuslon when his wife, pale as marble, and
leading two tattered and bare footed babes stepped
up to the bar, called for three glasses OF brandy
toddy, and then set down by his side.
"What the devil brings you here, Mary said
he morosely.
T." 1t is very lonesome at home, and your business
seldom allows you TO be there" replied the meek
wife. "There is no company like yours, and as
you cannot come to me, must come to YOU have
right to share your pleasures well as your sor-
rows"
But to come to such a place as this ~ exposu
lated Tim.
mo place can be improper where my HUSBAND
is" said poor Mary. "Whom God hath Joined to
gether let no man put asunder." She took up thu
glass of spirits
Surely you are not going to drink that 7" asket
Tim, in huge establishment
y "Why not You say you drink to forget sor
Il row, and, If brandy has that effect. am sure NJ
!, living creature has good an excuse fer drinking
y as |. Besides, have not eaten monlhfull to-day
Il and really need something to support my strength
"Woman! woman you are not going to Civ
u the children such stuff that'-cried Tim, as sh
y handed each of the children glass of liquor
e "Why not? can children have better exampl
II than their fathers! Is not what is good for hiI
~ good for them also? 1t will put them to sleep, an
n they will forget that they are cold and hungry
/ Drink, my children, this is fire and bed, and foo
and clothing. Drlnk-you can see how much goc
y II does your father"
With seeming reluctance, Mary suffered her hu
70 band to conduct her home, and that night he pray
e ed long and fervently, which he had not done
~ fore for years.
en The next evening as he returned homeward wi
VI steady step, he saw his oldest boy run into Il
i.s house and heard him exclam, "Oh mother he
vi comes father, and he is not drunk" Tears pour
down the parents cheek, and from that hour he h
nu not tasted strong drink. He had never been
WI cious or unieeng, and soon as his emancipat
80 from the thraldom of debasing appetite becaI
W. known, friends and employment soon returned
e, him. As for Mrs. Truesdell, she is the happest
women, and never thinks without JOY and gratitu
ey of her first and last visit TO the dram shop.
VI NJ y Sun