Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-07-26

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! Jacob Bradley was one Of tho mioss
thriving mechanics of thriving city. lie
had but one Neutrality-suspicious.. This
he had contracted while an apprentice. by
associating with drinking club. who met
every Sabbath evening. to indulge in riot.
song and carousal; from whose terrific
orgies, few Of It's members returned home
sober. This vile habit had chung TO him
with the tenacity Of the plague, even after
he had established himself in trade, and
united himself with the widows beautiful
daughter. Nothing could break him OIL
from this fatal propensity OH the Sabbath;
which he commenced desecrating in the
morning. and ended by late so]ourn at
the tavern at night; whence he returned
mad with intoxic alton. and raving with FITS
"f jealousy. OF late, he had INDUCED In
his vile propensity more than ever. not
having patience to wait for his Sabbath
carousal-which always found his meek
and pious wife at her religious duties.-
like all who long continue the habit OF
hard drinking. at short intervals. his health
had began to fail. his limbs to falter. and
his brain to behold ''thick coming fancics' -
Of evil agents, monsters, fiends. rivals
enemies and prosecutors. Ills wife, too
timid TO expostulate. and in fear OF her
life. submitted in silent resignation. taking
refuge in the gentle and fond affection Of
her only daughter. while each revolving
day added fuel to the raging volcano that
was rapidly consuming the reason and
overwhelming the health Of her infatuated
partner.
With mingled hope. apprehension and
terror did his saint-like wife awaited the
approach Of the next Sabbath after her re-
covery, to test the temporary reformation
and penitence Of her husband. At length.
the eventful day arrived. With what holy
fcrvor did she pray for him that morning.
as the first rays Of the sun broke on her
prisons and cheered her by its cleaning.
"Oh! if he would only abstain that day.
all might be wcll!'' So thought that poor
martyr.
I Alas for the inEatuation Of the incbriatc!
He returned from his usual tavern resort,
highly excited. An icy shudder ran
through the heart of poor Hannah Bradley!
Could she suppress sigh! Impossible !!
Her heart would burst unless nature re-
licvcd her swelling bosom. Ycs-she
sighed heavily! and her husband cursed
her! "Always gloomy! always discomfort
ed!' cried the poor besotted wretch. who
was relapsing into his old vice! "Never
satisfied! always black looks and tears,
and sobs and sighs. He seized his hat.
! and dashed the door open, which he Slam
med with terrific violence after him. and
betook himself to his usual haunts; NUT
teriny to himself as he went along
..da,nn them, will. l sciH drink-but no.
thing but beer. They can say nothing
them
That was fatal night to Jacob Bradley.
Fortified lily his resolution, which he re.
ligiously kept. Of drinking no brandy, gin,
spirits. or Whiskey-hc INDUCED without
restraint in his lbations of beer; which,
added 10 the drains lie had taken in tile
morning. predicted state Of stupid yet
fcrocious intoxication, Of the most danger
Gus and tor,ncntiig kind.-Frensy rolled
: from his blOodshOt eyes. Maddened by
irritation. he with great difficulty escaped
a serious quarrel with the landlord Of the
tavern, and reached home cursing all man
kind, and Boosting that he had drank no.
thing but beer.
! Scarcely recovered from the late brutal
treatment received at the hands Of heI
deludcd husband, Hannah. the delicate
tmid, and shrinking wife. had returned
from meeting with her daughter, feverish
with dread in relation to the condition in
which he might return home, whose name
she scarcely dared 20 breathe. and whose
Keeling image haunted her sensitive ina
gination, in despite of al! her efforts, to
concentrate her mind wholly upon God
Jane looked thousand feelings of SYM
pathy with her mother, but said nothing
and at the urgent eldest Of her paren,
retired to bed in order to be up with the
, dawn 10 get her morning lessons fol
school, What changes between nigh,
and morning!
Left alone the fragile daughter of the
poor widow cast herself upon her knees
in prayer to God; seeking in the insensity
Of her devotions to escape from the soul
narrowing thoughts that come like infect
ed phantoms to torture her poor heart
Let us pause to gaze on her for a momen
. meek, beautiful; resigned, sorrowing
her fair head bowed down on her hands
, while tears trickled through her fingers
and fell like drops Of pious dew distilled
from heaven on the open bible before he
that bible, Which in veal or NO, she hat
never forgotten-and whence she neve
failed to draw the precious balm Of conso
lation. Here was, indeed, a heart to feel
and spirit to worship!
Man-insensate--b !--deliriou
. man !-Gaze on this picture, and say, Cal
:. being in whom there throbs q soul, hon
;, or that fragile image of pious beauty
J.. Can we call the Monster . man, VIII
could strike down, abuse, crush, terrif
and bleed, that innocent lamb, who wit
timid glances looks up to him for protec
= ton! Every feature aud gesture Of who's
beauteous face cries in audible Voice
}" ''Save me!'' "Protect me!'' "Shelte
mel" IL am helpless. You are stron
=. and powerful. Have mercy. Twill d
r your bidding. l will love and obey. b,
n oh! save me! God is love. Oh! let US liv
IS in love together.
n Can such . wretch find an equal in an
re criminal, ever doomed to expiate his deco