The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-07-11
CANTON MISSISSIPPI THURSDAY MORNING JULY II ss0

pledged word and assures me tina: he
never could think of Withdrawing for
he says he cannot see how any man Of
common sense can twist the pledge he
takes AS a Son of Temperance into such
shape as to ALLOW him the privilege Of
drinking under any circumstances. TAX
iug this view ofthe subject, / am bound
tothink thatthe man who withdrawsfrom
the Sous tfor drinkiug) has not the
fmoral courage to withstand the tempta-
ton, and takes this unmanly mode Of
lodging the pledge he has taken sim
ply because the Sons allow it and the
world winks at it. Mr.. Byrnham may
be an exception, it may be an except
Ition, it may have been a want of
thought with him but | must own 10
you dear Fanny he Wonld have stood
much higher 10 my estimation had he
never been Son, and higher still had
he stood firm after joining. Have you
never read the pledge, Fanny fyou
have NOT read ii carefully and I think
you will agree with me that a strictly
consclentiols.man would never drink
after once taking IT.
Fanny look quite serious and replied
IN a saddened tone. Thank you dear
Mary, for your kind solicitude, / bad
never viewed the matter IN this light:
You have convinced me that Beverly
acted without reflection; and | will talk
to him about IL when have the right
to do so, and try and persuade him 10
reJoin.
Do dear Fanny, urge him to join
again, | know he will not refuse your
request, if you will make 1t at a props
err time, and ina proper manner. Ah,
nv dear cousin you know not how
much happier feel, since you have
made me this promise. So now, good
bye; and do not forget to do so as soon
as you are Mrs. Byrnham.
Soma six weeks after the foregoing
conversation, Fanny and Mary
we're both married on the same day to
The chosen of their hearts. All things
looked bright about them;-and as the
marriages were IN what is called high
lite parry, followed party in rapid sues
cession. The sparkling wine flowed
bright and free, and Beverly Bymham
partook more than usual of the insid,
Hious poison.
Fanny, in the Joy of her heart, for
got her promise, and not only neg.
Rlected to expostuIate with her husband
bnt even encouraged him by partici
pating in the accursed vice. All, poor
girl, you know not what an abyss ofruin
you are nigh; an abyss ready to swal.
low up the brightness of your joy to
blight and 'wither the last lingering ray
ofhope and finally bring you with
crushing sorrow 10 an early grave, But
as We promised our sto y should be a
short one, let me hasten 10 Tie cofcld-
sion. Dartoh and Byrnham were
both doing a Furnishing business, as
merchants, and only for the difference
(of one being firm Son Of Temper>
ance, The other a dailyfwiie drfnker)
their prospects for success would have
been about eqnal.--Whfle Darlton
gave His undivided attention to- his
store and domestic affairs, Byrnham
divided his time between business aud
social wine parties. His fondness fof
parties and wine grew uPnu him to
such an extent that he daily neglec-
ted his business and was not unfre-
dnently absent from Fanny and his
6reside until late at night, and this, too,
before they had not been~marued more
than one short year. This opened
Fanny's eyes to the approaching storm
that was gathering thick and fast over
her head and she sopght to ward il of
by kind explanation, But alas! uhfor-
tunate woman; she delayed the exer-
else Of her influence too long; Byrn-
ham wocld only laugh at her. fears,
hcall her foolish little thing, and invite
her to take glass Divine assuring her
there was no danger ofhis ever be-
coming a drunkard, though he did
sometimes get little merry, Thus
things progressed from bad 70 worse
Etill at the expiration Of FIVE years, the
:, handsome, witty, fascinating, courted
Beverly Byrnhanh, sunk to the level Of
iEa brittle and was daily seen wallow-
,Eihg in the filth Of intoxication. His
wealth gradually faded away 90 that
when another year had passed, his tlne
store ana dwelling house 3Ifnilnre aiid
even to. his Wife's jewelry-all was sa'
cri6ced 70 his insatiate thirst for the
dark beverage Of hsh. Reader go
with me, if you please, 10 yon miserable
Ihovel in the suburbs Of the great city,
Epush open tbs half decayed door
What do you seeg' "A wretchcd female
cloth ed 10 the squallid rags Of poverty
sFwith an ehiaciktsd Infant clingihg 70
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