Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-03-28

there be with those who seek to influence
men to the use Of that which has caused so
much misery in the world.) His first was a
fatal glass; from that time his love for me
seemed 10 grow cold, be was always from
home until late at night, and then be seemed
to have no enjoyment with bis family. From
it be formed the habit of moderate drinking !;
be visited now Gas he had never done before
the dramshop, and the card table. | saw
that be was a ruined man unless he could be
checked in his wild course, and to do this,
/ begged, with tears in my eyes, that be
would forsake these places, and stay more
with me and bis family. But it did no good.
/ endeavOred to show him the danger to
which be was exposed, of running himself and
bringing disgrace upon his wife and chill
dren but he would always fly into a pass
ion, and ask me if l did not think be had too
much sense to become a drunkard. Thus
Be continued frsquenting the drinking hoHs-
es, staying later each night, until. finally, he
came not at all for two or three days at a
time, and when he zane it would only be to
heap his curses and abuses upon me. By
continuing in this course. bis business was
thrown into q confused state, and the dis
e0yery madethat hewas becoming insolvent,
which caused his creditors to commence
pressing him for their money. This seemed
to iTtitate him, and as his wife, l bad all
the insults Of a drunken man to contend
with. Whenever an opportunity offered, l
would endeavoT to awaken his sympathies
toward ne and bis children, whom he was
80 rapidly bringing into a state Of misery
and degradation /; but all alike failed. He
was always restless when at home, and could
make Thousand excuses to get away.
IL was not long befnre his property had to
BE- sold To satisfy debts contracted while drink
inR and a. cards. Thus went the property
which my father had given Us. Still he kep;
"a, oiill I plead with him, but 10 no purpose.
until Al last we were stripped Of every thing.
with moi even a shelter left 10 cover our heads.
10 this candiiion he left me entirely, to provide
6g The wants Of three little children. o! who
en- deserve the anguish Of that day, when pow
e1iy and misery were our only friends7 had
nolhing, | could get nothing, only what re-
esivsf through charity. NJ husband left me
and went ! know not where. |, with my lit
Dc children, went from place 10 place, asking
relief Il the hands If those who might take pity
upon one % wreiched. o my God, who can
tall the feelings Of one thus cast of ono that
had been raised ia perfect ease by a feeling par
en-. Ny situation, when | reflected on it. was
was more than my poor head could bear ; still
believed that Gnd in his mercy would provide
for me and my little babes. And in this | hav'
not been disappointed. ! wandered until ] cam
% this place, here | rented a small but cumfor
table h0Hse and tried TO support myself AM
children BY taking sewing and washing. and il
this, ihFongh the mercy Of Gud, | was success
fl. IcOnlinned at this for more than a year
when ] determined To commence this business
I'll could meet with any encouragement.
wealthy gentleman Of this place, knowing m,
situation, supplied me with the required amoun
q capital TO commence with, demanding no in
tsrest. have been qnile successful in this
and am now clear Of debt. heard nothing Il
ny husband in the mean time, out supposed b
was dead. Although he had thus treated me
felt | could forgiye him if he would return 1
ne. o! GOd, thu knowest how / have praye
that he might repent that he might yet be I'll
sane Henry. And | feel that my prayers hav
hesn answered. Il has been Just two month
to-day since my husband came To this place, i
aesSch IL his family. was sitting where yo
are, when I heard a football on the hoOr. |
yuae az usual 10 wait on a customer, and weI
into the Store. As | entered, / did not OhserS
the face Of the persou, but merely bowed as
cid TO you. He spoke and o ! that voice
suuudod On natural. gazed on him ; his ey,
Cell 10 the aouf, and | saw the tears tracing eat
other down his CHEEKS. knew him, it W
Henry; bot how changed Not drunk. u
drinking, bat the same serious Henry Of hal
pier days. He did not speak | could not
was TOO full TO speak. At last he fell on b
knees and said with an imploring luuk tn
wnuld have melted the heart Of a heGthen !:
Virginia. can you forget the past ; will y
forRive TO what heart could have refused
penitsni ~ humble 2 / Eorgave him who won
n1t2 He had gone on drinking from the tin
II our misfortune until just hefore that tim
when he was Induced To hear Mr.. White leciG
on Temperance, and thank Heaven for the
sult. He Is now a SIN Of Temperance, ant
feel no fears whatever that lie will ever dri
again. ! am happier nuw than when surrour
Cd with wealth. and ! awe my happiness To
Sons Of Temperance.
Al this mnment her husband came in wi
he saw me he smiled and came toward me "
hls hand extended. retreated a step or q
for I did not know it was her husband but
allowed and took my hand in his. Shakin
cordially, he said: saw you once, but in be
days 1 know you, ] have thought Of YOU off
when In adversely /; when starving; when nj
not even dogs, would keep ny company. I
has scourged me severely for my ingratitr
but il is over now. Virginia has told you
stood ii the door and heard it. until it seer
my heart would burst with praise tn God for
mercy. am happy now 10 that my Virg
e 90 / owe it TO the Suns Of Temperance,
especially 10 Mr.. White. If you are not a
Of Temperance be one that you may not 81
e i, Henry L., have done.
AMERICUS
Federal Point, March the 9Th, 1851.
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