Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-03-30
SELECT TALE.
Appeal of a wife aud Mother.

Twenty -sovcn years ago was not what
am nov. My eyes were hen bright; my
check WAS the picture Of health; and my
heart was Ugh: and b,:hcsomc. l was
| then stranger to care. had then mover
experienced ono par. Of disappoin,mone
arising from hope deferred. The world
was to mo full of promise; and my inagi-
nation looked forward to many future
years of calm and tranquil happiness.
Twenty seven years ngo! How often
does memory carry mo back 10 that green
sunny spot in my existence. Twouty-
seven years ago! Thoro is moaning in
this word which brings 10 my mind full
recollection of that sweet and delightful
period. We'll do ! remember tho deicacy
with which | was reared tho unwearied
pains taken by my indulgent father, to
give mo education answcrablo TO my
birth and prospects. A nd woll do re-
member my numerous sultorS-my happy
bridal eve-my splendid dress-and my
brilliant wedding-whon | gave my hand
and my heart 10 him who is now my hus-
band.
! was then delighted happy wife. NV
husband was ono of the most promising
and intelligent young mon IN tho village.
He was to mo so kind and at,entve--so
full Of affection and tenderness. loved
him then: love him still. and trus. l
shall love him until die. Our prospects
then were tho most encouraging. Vol
do | remember tho beautiful mansion
which my father gave me. and tho splcn.
did furniture with which il was stored.
Tho costly sdeboard. VIZ the gli,,ering
tho elegan: decan,ers, sparkling so brill
i
in them. Oh that wine. that wine how
like tho serpent it stole into tho Eden Of
our bliss, and stamped a curse upon mo
aud mine, unuttorabIe and indescrbnble.
But was ,hon yourg and ,houghtless.
poured out Tho wine for my young COM
panons as they called upon me. laugh
inylv urged those who wero temperate to
drink only one glass. Like fool, | was
sporting with tho very temptation, tho most
fatal TO the peace and happiness Of fami-
lies. Experience, bitter, sad experience,
has laugh, mo this; and the agony Of
hear, and the tears Of anguish have shed
for this, my youthful folly, can only DO
seen NJ tiic Judgment.
Gao year after my marriage. gave
birth to my first born, fair and beautiful
bov. Oh how many hours of happiness
purc and unalloyed, have spent in sport
ing with and nursing that young immortal.
How fondly my heart was attached to that
child and yet how little did then feel for
lis truo interest; how little gratitude did
feel to my Maker. for his goodness to-
wards me; and how little did feel my
obligation to teach my son, in his carly
and tender years, his duty to God was
then blinded with my sins; and il was only
&c fo:J
hands upon me, that was led by the inf
nite love and mercy Of God to think Of my
obligations and duties.
We'll, tmo rolled on. Another, and
another, and another, woro added to my
family, and nino years after my marriage.
was the mother Of five children, all Of
them boys. Ny husband had, by his at
tention 10 business. secured handsome
fortune; and our worldly prospects were
most encouraging. He was TO me still
kindly afiectionate-all that husband
should be. | was still happy wife, and
a gratfed, delighted mother; no cloud
seemed resting over mo. But why need
dwell upon this fair side Of the picture
any longer? Ny tale Is tale of woe, Of
blightcd and crushed hopes and expccta-
,ions--and my appeal is the most painful
effort Of wife 5 and mothers heart. Yet
hear mc--hear me through, We rum-selling
gentry. Ye are they who make sport Of
tho happiness and peace Of the domestic
circle; yc nro they who, for tho sake of
gnin, are ready to destroy both body and
soul ye arc they who are scattering
flowers over hell, and smoothing tho path
way Of many wretchcd wanderer to-
wards j, with your stimulating drinks
Do talk too hnrdl Oh! road little fur
Their, and sec the havoc one Of your num-
Der has produced in my family; and then
say, if you can, that have no reason fos
my severity.
l well remember one bitter cold night
in December, that sat up long after my
usual hour, waiting for my husband to 70.
turn from his business. This was the
first time ne ever stayed out 50 late a. to
alarm me. There sat in my chair. oil
alone, anxiously awaiting the sound Of
every footstep upon the pavement. Ono,
two. three o'clock was sounded in my cars
by the faithful monitor before me. Still
he came not tired and cold laid myself
down upon my pillow, not to sleep, but to
wet /. with my tears. My heart was OPP
pressed with a certain feeling that all was
not right with my husband. A bout four
O'Clock heard several hurrying steps upon
the pavement, and strange loud voices a. It