Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-03
The Drunkard's Funeral.
july Odd, 1853,

july 23d, 1853.
1t was q recent Sabbath morning that a GEN
tleman drove mp to my fathers door, and re-
quested him to attend the funeral of a man
who had died the day before of that terrible
disease which so often carries off tho drunkard,
and fills the beholder's heart with the deepest
sadness. The rain had been falling in torrents
during the night, and the travelling was any
thing but good. My father, however, consented
to go; and as he offered me a seat in the car
riage, l concluded to be present at the funaral
Of one slain by brandy.
After passing over some five miles Of the
worst travelling | had ever seen, we reached
the house which had been the dwelling of him
who had fallen a victim to intemperance. We
were soon conducted into the room where sat
the bereaved widow andher two small children.
the oldest about five years Of age. NV father
attempted to administer consolation to the af-
flicted, but what could he say? Could he bid
her look up to hat'house not made with hands
eternal in the heavens as the present abode of
her husband? No-God had said no drunk
ard shall enter there. The house was soon
filed with reople-the sermon preached-the
last look takeno Of the poor bloated body, and it.
was borne to the grave-a human sacrifice off
cred on the altar of the liquor traffic.
The youthful widow returned to her dwell
ing, made desOlate by the fell DESTROYER, while
tears of sadness and Of sorrow fell thick and
fast upon the little fatherless child rem by her
side. We entered our carriage, and common
ced our return, but often would the forms of
those helpless children, and the distressed and
afflicted mother, seem to rise up before me,
~unti!-young as | am, | resolved to attempt to
tell the story of their wrongs. Uool in1liry.
| ascertainel that the deceased was naturally
an amiablc man, Il good neighbor, an affec-
tion4te husband, and kind father-prudent and
Industrious. He had accumulated a little pro-
perty, and at his death left about one thousand
dollars, which had not flllcn into the hands of
the rum-sellers. BY what is CALLED moderate
drinking, he acquired an appetite for strong
drink, which he found it difficult TO control
Often did he resolve TO drink no more intoxi-
eating drinks, and for months would abstain
but as lIquor was sold in the neirhborhood to al
who wished to purchase, he sometimes fell into
the snare OF the tempter, which often Law in his
p1th. The first glass taken and he lost all con
troll over his appetite, and all his rood resolu
tons were swept away as with hurricane fury
and taking his bed, would lay drunk for severa
days lE succession.
Tnen zane sober hours, with tears of peni
tence, and weeks and months of reform. Agail
he would be taken in the tempter's snare, an
at last fell Il victim to the dreadful traffic i
Intoxicating drinks. And who was the caus
ofhis death? Was it the rumseller, or was
our last Legislature who refused to listen t
the prayers OF the suffering ones1 | envy nc
the man his feelings, who voted against tb
Memorial when he reflects that his vote has a
ded IN keeping open those fountains of miser,
which are promoting the spread of intempel
ance, causing tears to flow from woman eve
and making many afemale's existence on ear
an awful curse. am not a sWoman's Right
glrl, IN the omnon aeceptation of that ten
bat ! think woman and her HELPLESS oR,nyin
; have 4 right 70 ask protection; AMI hard mu
; Dc that heart, and unworthy Of woman's lo7