The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-05-19
THE DRUNKARD FRIGHTENED BY
HIS OWN EXAMPLE

The following story. whether new mr. ola.
is good enough TO be read more than once
whether founded on facts or not.it illustrates.
very forclbly what we have no doubt is true
that a drunkard would be alarmed 10 have
his vile and children initiate his examine.
Thomas Smes6ale is the name we shall
assign 10 very worthy, industrious and
thriving mechanic, who became a burden 10
himself, curse 10 his family, and nuisance
TO society at large; in short, one of the most
shameful and abandoned drunkards that
ever took the measure OF an unmade grave.
he was not weaned from his degrading pro-
pehsity by means which have cured others,
put There was one that proved 70 be success
GuI
Though he had wife and five beautiful
children, Tom seemed 10 be uuconcious of
the fact. He neglected his work. sauan der
ed his wages, which daily grew smaller. and
spent his time al the penthouse, till near
prostration ofall the faculties. or the disinste-
ful words OF mo more trust" warned him
10 seek the shelter of his wiie's care and rro-
lection.
His children could not 90 10 school be-
cause learning was dear and rum was cheap;
the landlord dunned for bis rent, Mrs. Smes-
dale was obliged to keep al home. as she had
no dress fir TO appear abroad in, having
pawned The last 10 pay fine imposed upon
her husband by the police court. Misery.
utter desiiuiion and famine stared the nm
happy fnnlily in the face. 1t is imrossil lie TO
exaggeTate the picture even had we room or
inclination.
Mrs 5. was heroine, though not Of ro-
nance. She loved her worthless husband.
and had borne his neglect, the tears of her
children. the gripe oflamne, and the railing
OF crunkard, without repinino.
Never had her exerriOns sIackened, never
had harsh word passed her lips
Al night. when she put her children IN
sleep, she wept & watched for his coming; &
when he did come, drunk MS usual she nm
dressed and assisted him 10 bed without re-
proach. A length, her courage. well niuh
exhausted. she resolved on one last and dcs-
perate effort.
AT night having disposed other three eld-
est children, she took the three Youngest by
the hand and bent her steps TO The rot house
her husband was acus omed 10 frequent.
She looked in at The window ana there he
sat, in the midst of boon companions with
his pipe in his mouth and his glass in bla
hand. He was evidently excired.thonph not
drunk. Great was the nstonishment Of that
bad company, and enormous Mr. SmcsdaIe'a
dismay and confusion. when his wife. raIr
as marble.and leaCing two tatlerrd and hare
footed babes, called for three glasses of
brandy ard water: and then sat down by his
side.
What in the world brings you here.
Mary z" said he morosely.
sit is very lonesome Mt homo. ard vour
business seldom allows Won 10 be there" re-
piled the meek wife. "There is no company
like yours, and rs you cannot como To me. /
must come 10 you. have right To share
your pleasures as well rs your sorrows"
but TO come 10 such place us this" ex-
postulated Tom.
NO place can be improper where my hus-
band is" said poor Mary. Whom God hail,
put together, let no man Put asunder," She
took OPP the glass OF spirits.
Surely you are no going 10 drink that"
asked Tom in full astonishmcnt
why not? Yon say you drink 10 forget
sorrow. and il brandy has that effect. am
sure no living creature has got SO good an
excuse for drinking as !. Besides, have not
eaten n mourhiul to day. and really need
something 10 support my strength"
"Woman. woman your are not going 10
give the children such stuff as ihat?' cried
Tom, as she handed each of Inc children n
glass oi liquor.
"Why not? Can children have a better
example Than their fathers? Is NOT that
which is good for him good for them Il so?
II will pun them 10 sleep, and they will forget
that they are cold and hungry. Drink, MY
children, this is fire, and bed and clothing.
Drink you can see how much good it does
your father"
With seeming reluctance Mary surrrcd
her husband TO lead her home. and that he
prayed long and fervenIIy, which he had not
done before Tor years. The next evening,
rs he returned humeward with n steady step.
he saw his eldest boy run INTO the house. and
heard him exclaim: "Oh, mother, here
comes father and he's not drunk" Tears
came down the parents check, and from that
hour be has not tasted drink. He had never
been vicious or unleeIing; and as soon "a
his emancipation from the fhraldom Of "A de-
basing appetite became unknown. friends.
employment and posperily returned 10 him
As for Mrs. S. she is one of the happiest of
women, and never thinks, without Joy and
gratitude, Of her first and last visit TO The
pol-house.