Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-02
From The Spectator,
Cost Of Drunkenness.

Where is Squire : said a fine able-bodiod
mechanic to one OF The recruits ho few weeks
ago might he seen loungng around one oi Oh,
tJyerns. Before the other had time to answer.
had taken the first speaker by the arm, and
he was walking somewhat reluctantly with me
from the liC, j..
He was an excellent workman. possessed of
many good abilities and one IN whose welfare
felt deep interest.
Well, John, said |, what do you. want with
Squire Moon
No matter what. ! want to sec him, said
he as he came partly to a halt.
But what do You intend
] intend to enlist--to 90 TO Mexico.
And leave your family
I've tried long enough to support them, they
must do for themselves awhile.
And SO YOU pill leave your wife and your
two children Ia starve!
They will not starye---but / ve told you
cannot support them. have been long enough
making a slave OF myself for nothing today
have been warned to leave my house I've
been dunned for my grocer bill and have
been refused credit for hundred Of flour. A
poor man cannot live through such times with
such wages as get.
How much do you get
! Only dollar day.
! And is not that enough to support you
You once told me Yourself that your wife could
herself maintain your whole family.
! She did 50 the first year we Were married,
but now she has enough to do to tend her chli-
drcn; besides every thing is so nnreasonabiy
dear.
| But are not some of your expenses unnec'
essary' For example, what do you spend III
drink
4 oh. t,a, is nothing, do not commonly spent
more than sXpence day.
I Even if that were all, sixpence day amount:
: 10 upwards of twenty-five dollars a year. Blu
besides tina, you often neglect your work io
the sake OF spree and thus you lose grea
deal of time.
Not great deal-no, more than two days
in the month.
\ Still that is twcntv-four days in the year
and then how many days are you sick or unable
to work each month in consequence OF drinking
Il Wen, may be two more.
i Here, then. is the secret of your poverty -
W, who works in the shop with you
supports his family well.
Il But W has ten snillings per day.
But why does he get two shillings day
more than vou Is he better workman
4 No, nor so good one.
4 Why, then, is he better paid
/ Well--l suppose he is one Of your.----tce
totalcrs A. saws he won't give me Sc
much because he cant depend on me.
But would you not &c, as much if you tool
the pledge!
Il iwould.
And your quarrcls, when drinking, cost 20,
as much as would keep you in clothing.
Il Why, said he, emphalcally, had only two
scrapcs last year.
/ And they cost how much!
|. About forty dollars.
II by this time we were opposite my house
! invited John in, and as soon as he was seated
| made out the following bill for him
Drink, 3G5 days, a, 6 IL cents per day,
I Sa2 81
Loss of twcn,y-four days sprecing at
81 per day, 81 90
Loss of twenty -four days sickness at
| 81 per day, "a 90
Loss Of twenty-five cents on $50 days
1 work, IS 90
[ Expenses Of two scrapes, 40 90
Total cost OF drunkenness, $lS5,Sl
John eyed the bill long and seriously. A.
length he broke out with, /" one hundred and
egh,v-fyc dollars, y ! feel that have lost each
wear more than that. But | will take the
pledge at once.
lie did so gave up the idea ofenlis,ing and
now he has ten shl'ngs per day, and one OF
the happiest families in town. When ! last
1 met him he greeted me with, You taught me
the cost Of drunkenness, and now know the
value OF TEMPERANCE.'