Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-11-25

I ali pdtU iOf- anu us PROVISIONS GlQ not aY-
erage over four dollars week at the far
thest, and yet his wife and child actually
suffered. at times, for the want of cloth
ing. Not that they were ever ragged, or
even short of decent wearing apparel
but there were many little things that
would have really conduced to their com.
fort and happiness, which they were oblig-
ed to do without and then, when the
wife did obtain some trihing article of
dress, the money with which to pay for it
game so hard and ungraciously. that she
would almost rather have gone without it
There was another thing that added to
/ her weight of sorrows. For a long time
her husband had passed his evenings away
/ from home, even remaining away till mid
night, and often later, and that at such
times he made frequent use of alcoholic
/ beverages but against this she had new
er made any decided remenstrance, for he
had never returned to his home in a state
/ of intoxieation, and she had no idea that
what little he drank could make much diff
/ ference in peeuniary point of view. Yet
! Sarah Ellery was not without her fears
and as night after night passed, and found
| her husband absent so late from his home
she could not but tremble for the future
| That night little Lucy returned from
school wet and cold and with mothers
4 fond care, Mrs. Ellery changed her gar
ments and placed her by a warm fire but
3 cold shiver seemed to have taken pos
session of the child, which no outward
warmth could overcome. and her mother,
justly feared that her daughter would be
/ sick. Charles came home to his supper,
and as the events of the morning bad
passed from his mind, be was compare
lively happy and cheerful but still he
could not help noticing that his little
child was not as sprightly as usual and
that his wife was sad and thoughtful =
I Then the thought came over him that this
was the effect of the mornings scene. and
he became moody and taciturn, and at
length he took his hat to 60 out.
Charles" said his wife. in kind, i'm
ploring manner, couldn't you stay with
me this evening? I'm afraid Lucy is 60
lag to be sick, and it is 80 dark and stOr-
my, that L really feel lonesome. You
used to spend your evenings with your
wife"
90, I'll be back in good season, Sarah
I'm just going out to see what's going on.
Lucy'll do well enough, guess"
Then you will be at home early, won't
you ?"
"Ycs, returned Mr. Ellery, in a sort
of hesitating, undecided manner; and
without further remark he left the house
Now, as Charles Ellery walked along
away from bis home. be made up his mind
that he would return early-he would
look in at one or two places where his
companions were in the habit of congre-
eating. smoke cigar, have a little chat
and then return. The first place he came
to was an oyster saloon, kept by one OF
his old friends, and as he entered. he was
greeted by hearty welcome from all
hands.
"Come, boys" said one of the party,
shortly after Charles had entered, lets
shake for the drinks"
Charles Ellery might have resisted a
direct invitation to drink, for his appetite
did not crave it but the accompanying
amusement was so entertaining, so socsat,
that he could not say no, and so he joined
with the rest in the sport. The dice-box
was prepared, and the party, eight IN all,
commenced the game. Round and round
went the dice-One after another OF the
party were freed from the treat" and at
length Charles Ellery was decided the
loser Hot brandy punches were called
Cor, and Charles paid the bill-ifty cents
but that was nothing twas mere sport !
and without thought save OF pleasure,
he threw three dollar bill upon the bar,
from WHICH to have the expense of the
punches" taken. The sport was so eX-
citing that the dice-box was called for
again, and though Charles got clear of
the bill, vet be drank with the rest, aud
then third time was the game played,
and a third time did Charles Ellery drink
All hands were now ready for amuse-
ment One thing after another was pro
posed, until ii was at length agreed to
havea cosy game Of billiards. HadCharles
been asked half an hour previously to
have gone on such a nights entertainment.
he might have said no - but now. with
three glasses of brandy punch sending its
fumes up into his brain, be almost unhes-
itatlngly said yeS," and so to the billiard
room they went. and it was not till the
city bell struck the hour of midnight that
the party broke up.
When Charles Ellery left his jolly COM
panions, he found that he had spent just
three dollars but the fumes Of pleasing
liquor still made him feel happy, and he
thought it mere trife when compared
to the amount of social pleasure he had
received from. it. With a light easy step
he started towards his home, but ere be
had been long on the way, his step grew
heavier, for he happened to remember
that he had promised his wife that he
would be at home in good season, and
when he entered his dwelling, it was not
without a sort of misgiving that he was
not doing exactly as ne ought to do. He
found his wife with thick shawl drawn
closely over her shoulders, sitting over
the fire and as the gentle Sarah cast her
eyes towards him, he could not fail to OBJ
serve that they were red and swollen with
:. weeping.
aWbv Sarah vrhat are voT mn for at