Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-03-30

cause Of Christ. lie would eX1ort the |
longest and loudcst Ia meetings, and with |
his hands still covered with tho poison |
which was sending death and desoiation |
around him. he would !ft them up IN holy /
PRAYER to God, " nat coasunna.c hvpo- I
crisy
SIX months rolled rapidly away, during
which iina nv husband sti!! con.inuat
kindly, alicctionaso and tonperatc. Ny
two sons had procured excellent situations
on board of one OF our merchant ships;
and were already many THOUSAND miles
of a, sea, on a long and distant voyage.
w mind had become sooored with many
long years acqlaintance with grief, and
although | found considerable comior,
from the consciousness tina, had always
done ny duty 10 my husband and family.
still there were hours il which cxPcr-
fenced deep md uncontrolIabl bio agony of
heart. had my fears of the strength of
my husbands mind TO resis. temptation
Like tho wave tossed, wcaricf and tron-
bed mariner. had vcn,urcd my MI Hnoa
The strength of an almost fonndorai b1rEi
and If this failed me. knew that my
earthly career would be shor. and sad. yot
| s!ldloislv concealed all my fsars f ON
nv husband. | met him with smile " CT
ever he camo homo. aud taskel all my
powers to render bis fireside happy. IL
treated mo with tho utmos, affection. rs i
10 atone for his many cruel n"gicc's; ana
his .milo was rs winning. md the tone Of
his voice AZ gentle. as they appeared IN
tho dav Of our early love.
Bu. oil Z, another cloai-jense. dark
and dreadful, camo over our peaceful fro
sidc.-Wcl do | romcmbor tho night.
o., YES, i. is stamped with fearful force
upon my memory forever. It was cold
aud windy Saturday night, November.
1929. The shutters wore closed and
good fro was burning upon the hearth;
and was seated beside i. with nv work
in hand, awaiting lha return Of my hts
band. lIo had gono TO our runl-s2ilng
Christians store, agalns. any advice. 70
buy q few groceries for family uso. Ten
o'clock had passed, Gre he returned. Ny
quick oyo detected an unstcadnoss III his
stop as he catered, and his whole appear
ance betrayed tho effect of his deadly
enemy | pissed Il s'eo0ess mighty
couch was literally we, with ,cara-nrd
in the agony Of my heart, wished tina, |
Ind never been born.
NV husbands descent was faarflly
rapid. Within few weeks he seen
lying at midday in tho streets. absolutely
helpless, the spor, of unfecllng boys. iIo
lost his situation and WIS again deserted
by Ill of his friends. In VAN | reasoned
with him. SO powerful had his thirst for
liquor become aroused, that for me- attempt
10 spcais to him. was sufficient 10 draw
upon mo tho most bitter Imprecatlons: yet
more, upon my knees, imploringly ho-
sought him to renouncc habit which
would forever ruin both soul and body.
| called also upon tho rum selling profess
sors and upon several other Pcrsons. two
of whnu ura-~ tho select .---~ Il
village, and entroated thcn not 10 SOL hum
liquor. plead with them, with AL the
eioqucnce that n wratchcd nni neglected
wife coull command. ! told them of my
carly hstory-ot my once peaceful fire.
sldo-of tho deadly biga, which had
como over lt-of tho many wrctched
hours | had passcl-of m1ny sloePess
nights AMI troubled days have oxperi-
encod--of tho many, many tears had
shed of tho cod neglect and harsh treat
ment of a once KIM. md still tcndor!y
beloved husband And what think you.
gen,,o reader. were the feeling answers /
received 10 nv appeal! The answer OF
tho wealthy rum selling Christian was,
Il have a family 10 provilo for and must
tako caro- of ,hem;" and then. when !
| mentioned his ability to support his family
wi.hou, selling rum 10 my husband, his
answer was, .slf don't sell him rum,
others VIII This was tho heartcss plea
Of all | called upon. Some OF thotn |
| mus, say. wore. however. SO conscientious,
that thoy said they would not sell 70 him
whom he was drunk; but if he camo 10
their store perfectly sober, and called for
liquor, no should have il. Many times
did call upon these individuals. and al
temp. to state my tao of WOO. nn1 des
cribe my feelings. The world. il It's
pride and holiness. feels bat little for the
suf1crings of n drunkard's wife. She is
compelIed to hear in silence and neglect
all tho ills which man. mad1enel BY m
unnatural thirs, for stimulating drink, can
inflict. | we'll remember one night when
nv husband came homo more deeply in
toxicated than usual. lie had boon fight
ing with some one Of his companions. and
had been badly bruised. My tears fell
fast as bound up severe wound on his
/ hcad. 4 few OF them fell upon his hand
| He looked me up in tho face. and s;ornly
| command me 10 stop mo tears bent
upon my knocs before him 10 supplicate
| his mercy and forgiveness. Oh, that blow,
| tina. blow. Il fell with fearful force
| upon nv dofonceIess head.
| Nearly four years have since passed,
| and am now the tenant OF poor house.