The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-08-25
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THE TWO DAGUERREO7YPES.
CHAPTER /.

Jim Scroggins, though in the main an
honest, peaceabe, quiet, harmless fellow,
had beastly habit oil getting drunk
whenever fit opportunity presented it.
self; and unfortunately, because where
there's will there's way the oppor.
tunities were both fit and frequent.
Jim owned comfortable homestead
that he had almost paid for. Mrs. Crog.
gins was real worker, and no doubt did
her iull share in buying the homestead
She was endowed with great deal OF en-.
ergy, good judgment, and people were so
malicious as to say she was the smartest
man of the twain.
Be this as it may, Mrs. Scroggins was
an industrious woman, and took a good
deal Of pride in tie little place which had
been bought by their mutual industry
and the thought oi having it wrested from
them by cold.hearted creditor was in
the highest degree disagreeable; but 10
such calamity her husbands in6rmity,
as the good minister Of the village called
it, seemed 10 point. N~~
The habit grew upon him, as it almost
always does upon those who are in the
habit OF imblbing too freely. The mise
ries of the drunkard's vile had been too
often presented TO the good woman's un.
derstanding. TO be regarded as simply
creations OF Imagination, and she looked
forward with alarm to the prospect oil en-.
during them, and losing the iue place.
But what could be done ? She had ex-
hausted her eloquence upon the infatuated
man, without producing anything but
temporary effect. She pointed out to him,
kindly, the inevitable effect of his indul.
gence, and lin promised TO do better;
but alas for The vanity OF human expec.
Iations! he got tipsy the very next day.
Then she appealed to his love of mon.
ey-to his satisfaction in being the own.
er of cottage and ten acres OF land, and
warming up with the importance Of the
subject, declared that she would not en-
slave herself any longer 10 pay for the
place, and then have it taken away from
them to pay rum bill.
Jim listened patiently the good DANES
eloquence, and, as usual, promised TO do
better; but, also, as usual, he came into
the house the very next day, as tight as a
fiddle string.
Mrs. Scroggins was in despair; what
TO do she didn't know as she expressed
it to Psrson Allwise, who was sympalhi.
zing with her in distress. She had en-
treated, she had scoided, she had threat.
ened, and all to no purpose. What
could body DOT
Parson AlIwise himself, though he made
it point not to interfere in the domestic
affairs Of his parishioners. was at last
moved to try his powers OF persuasion on
the poor fellow.
But jim, unfortunately for the success
of his appeal, had bat poor opinion Of
ministers in general, and Of parson All.
wise in particular, and he told the worthy
pastor that he had better mind his own
business. ..-.
Mrs. Scroggins was shocked at the
boldness OF her spouse in answering
minister OF the gospel in such pointed
manner, and was led 10 believe that the
case was now hopeless indeed,
But woman's wits are equal to almost
any emergency; and though she had con-
fessedly given Jim over TO the tender mer'
cies OF tie devil, she could not help think
ing il would be good thing if he could
only be saved from himself
One day, circumstances seemed to con-
spire in favor OF an experiment, which
had suggested itself to her fertile brain.
and she Immediately carried il into effect
with the most hsPpy success, as the Sc
quel will show.