American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-14

TTW, IITT
established. Egyptian is in moderate demand, and
very abundantly supplied at former prices.
A WIFE FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF HER
HUSBAND.
The following story, whether new or old, is
good enough to be read more than once; and
whether founded on fact or not, it illustrates
very forcibly what we have no doubt is true
that a drunkard would be alarmed to have
his wife and children initiate his example.
Thomas Smesdale is the name we shall as
sign to a very worthy, industrious, thriving
mechanic, who became burden to himself,
curse TO 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 propensity by
means which have cured others, but there was
one that proved to be successful
Though he had a wife and five beautiful
children, Tom seemed to be unconscious of the
fact. He neglected his work, squandered his
wages, which daily grew smaller, and spent
his time at the pot-house, till the near prostra-
ton of his faculties, or the distateful words,
''No more trust,' warned him to seek the shell
IcI vi HIS WIG > CdIS anu JIOtGCtiOH'
His children could not 90 TO school because
learning was dear and rum was cheap; the
landlord dunned for his rent, and Mrs. Smes-
dale was obliged to keep at home, as she had
no dress fit to appear abroadin, having pawned
the last to pay Il fine imposed upon her hus-
band by the police court. Misery, utter desti-
tuition and famine stared the unhappy family in
the face. 1t is impossible TO cxaggerate the
pir had lDcliua
Mrs. S. was 4 heroine, though not Of ro-
nance. She loved her worthless husband and
had borne his neglect, the tears Of her children,
the grippe of famine, and the railing Of the
drunhard, without repining.
Never had her eXertions slackened, never
had harsh word passed her lips.
At night, when she put her children to
sleep, she wcpt and watched for his coming;
and when he did come, drunk as usual, she un-
dressed and assisted him TO bed without re-
proach. At length, her courage we'll nigh ex-
hausted, she resolved on one last and desperate
effort.
At night, having disposed of her three ED
est children, she took the two youngest by the
hand, and bent her steps to the penthouse her
husband was accustomed to frequent.
She looked in at the window, and there he
sat, in the midst of boon companions, with his
pipe in his mouth and his glass in hand. He
was evidently excited though not drunk
G reat was the establishment of that bad COM
pany, and enormous Mr.. Smesdale's dismay
and confusion, when his wife, pale as marble,
and leading two tattered and barefoot babes,
called for three glasses of brandy and water,
and then sat down by his side.
"What in the world brings you here, Mary
said he, morosely.
at is very lonesome at home, and your bust
ness 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 a right to share your
pleasures as well as your Sorrows"
"But to come to such place as this" ex-
postulated Tom.
"No place can be improper where my hus-
band is" said poor Mary. "Whom God has
put together, let no man put asunder." She
took up the glass of spirits.
"Surely you are not going to drink that!''
asked Tom IN full astonishment.
"Why not? You say you drink to forget
sorrow, and il brandy has that effect, am sure
no living creature has so good an excuse Tor
drinking as l. Besides | have not eaten
mouthfnl to-day, and | really need something
to support my strength.
woman, woman, you are noC goIh9 W BiFo
the children such stuff as that'' cried Tom, as
she handed each the children glass of liquor.
"Why not Can children have better ex-
ample than their fathers; Is not what is good
for him good for them also? 1t will put them
to sleep, and they will forget that they are cold
and hungry. Drink, my children, this is lire,
and bed, and clothing. Drink, you can see
how much good it doas your father"
With seeming reluctance Mary suffered her
husband to lead her home, and that night he
prayed long and lervently, which he had not
done before for years. The next evening, as
he returned homeward, with steady step, he
saw his eldest boy run into the house, and heard
him excaim, 90, mother, here comes father,
and he is not drunk" Tears came down the
parents cheek, and from that hour he has not
tasted drink. He had never been vicious or
unfeeliug; and as soon as his emancipation from
the thraldom of debasing appetite became
known, friends, employment, and prosperity
returned to him. AS for Mrs. S., she is one of
the happiest of women, aud never thinks, with
out Joy and gratitude, of her first and last visit
to the pothouse.
DAILY REPUBLICAN. The name of the Rich
mond Star has been changed to the Daily Rich
mond Republican, and the paper considerably
enlarged and improved in its general appear
ance. William Maxwell, Esq, for many years
a member of the Norfolk Bar, is hereafter to be
! the editor.