The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-10-17
An AFFECTING STORY.

| AN AFFEUIIAu OIVAI.
Two gentlemen and female travelling in
coach together, the latter in answer to question
that had been proposed 10 her said:
81 never drank any spirits ill about three years
ago, jns' alter my youngest child was born"
She uttered this reply in suppressed tone OF
voice, and with evident emotion.
s.Yon have been married then" said the Eng
| lish gentleman.
..Yes sir" she replied, Il was married eight
years since.''
SIS your husband living!'' be inquired.
81 suppose he is'' said she; II have not seen
him for more than two years, aud do not know
| that he will ever come back az ain"
At this moment the old Dutchman shook his
head and he woman bowed down her face
Her bonnet concealed her features, but tears were
| falling upon her cloak. Alter brief interval,
the Englisl,man resumed his conversation.
81 am FEARFUL" said he, Hihat you have bad
perhaps iniemperate lusband.n
His remark seemed 10 summon her TO the res
cns; for whatever may be the nature Of domestic
STRIFE, foreign interferences is seldom welcomed
by either party.
..No sr, ~ she replied, 81 had as good husband
as ever lis,d, and he was always very tenn
perate man. He was member Of the temper.
ance society. My husband was carpenter, and
work ed as hard as any man, but he never took
strong drink Of any kind, aad II could say the
same thths VI myseH3 We e"o'e' 'A"o'" ~ -
ed"
.sHow did you first contract this habitp' said
lie.
! aAftcr nv last child was born,' she replied, II
1 lad a severe fever. and was brought very low
/ IA seemed as though ! never should recover my
strength Oar doc or, who was skilhui o'd
gentleman, said nothing would raise me so soon
as a little brandy. My husband asked II nothing
else would do as well, and was opposed 10 my
taking il. II was not pleasant at first; out soon
tesan to relish IL ,oith sugar. and after month's
trial. cot myself into such state, that could
not live without it, My husband was greatly dis
tressed about it, and said he would not have It IN
his house. then got it privately, and the habit
got SO strong upon me, that used 10 lie awake
very often thinking how good It would 'as.e 10
the morning. have often said, and say now,
that would give the world, ii were mine, to
be cured OF this hankering after strong dr'nk.-
AT last my poor children
i oPoor Iee,le children! :" cried the Dutchman as
he brushed away tear from bis eye.
.My poor ehildren,' continued the woman "oe-
gan TO suffer, aud my husband became desperate;
At one time he would coax me, and, a'ter nao
kent myself clear Of il for week or 50, ne wouid
make a present, though he could poorly afford u.
| Atanotber time, when could hold out no longer,
and ne returned and found nothing ready Tor din.
ner. or supper. and the children crying, and ms
wife untitled for every thing, he would talk very
harshiy and threaten to leave me. deserved
ALP said she weeping bitterly; sand ! nave
thought If he should come back, would Iy M y
do better and leave of, though, am afraid should
not be able TO- never thought he would really
90 away. lie seemed at last, TO be giving the
matter up. lie let me 60 on pretty much as
nleased. He used to take the two elder children
unon Sunday, to meeting, and leave me At home
Tor wac ashamed 10 go there. as folks mad oe-
run to take notice Of me. A few days before ne
went of, he said very little 10 me, but seemed te
be busy packing his chest. l though! a.. .G,' y.
He finally nut his chest upon wheel-barrow
and wheeled il away "Cood bye John," said
think ing he was not in earnest; and l am sure o.
was not when / saw him coming back in abou
an hour without it. I told him he had made
) short voyage of it, He said nothing-not wore
but he took the children on his lap ana kissee
them and cried over them as i his near. woa's
me more than all his threats. Next morning ~
ask ed me TO take the children and 60 with him e
see his mother, who lived about a mile on. 80
cot ready. We had an old dog that watcnet
round the house. My husband patted the doe
-sGood bye CBsar,' said he, and sobbed aionf
as he said il. then began to fear ne was gong
and as thought how kindly he had always used
me, and what miserable wife had beento him
/ could not help shedding tears. But ! saio
nothing, for I still thought he only wanted &C
try me. When he got to his mothers saw o..
chest outside the gale. We went in, and the o..
woman began 10 shed tears, but said not WORD
thought he meant to leave me. He looked =
the clock, and said it about time for the stags
10 come; and turning TO me, he took my hand
but it was some time before ne could speak. a.
last, mastering his feelings, Fanny? SAID ne
.,here il hut one way 10 convince you that ON
in earnest. and that is 10 leave you. took yot
for better or for worse, but did not take you fo'
!. drunkard. and cannot live with you as such
Youhay. often said you was willing to part and