The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1853-01-28
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era Young man that bad batJust entered into The
sIihen bonds OF maiFImony. His wife, a most
ffniablc Creature, had mortal hatred of liquor !;
and though Tom often INDUCED on the sly with
l'iS c'nyysi companions, he took always to
Pc :" rIgh' side up" on going home. He would
+ hot 3aYr his wife find him in SUCH state FOR all
lhe g"il III he universe; and yet nc could not
sign the Il' dye of total abstinence, from the fact
beng the vice president of club of Jolly fell.
lows all whora believed 10 grape juice. For at
least s!x months after his marriage 10 The presence
at his " Leer BALI" he was as straight as pin,
and she had set il down that blessing in the
shape ot a Strctly sober husband had fortunately
fallen 10 her lot.
'Tom," one morning. said she, lovingly, we
have now been welded couple half a yeas, and
never once have had the slightest occasion 10 re.
proach vuu"
OF course Tom was delighted to hear his dear
little wife talk so encouragingIy, and express hap
PneSs at his behaviour, and he repeated assurances
oi has determination always TO be an ateniiYe, So
Der husband.
Bat in the OCCASION of life how l.tle we can
foresce The breakers Of temptation. Tom had 10
dine that very evening with the &c Owls - Ghe or
astrological tile of his cub,) and he felt in adj
mirabie spirits, and his health was drank warmly
and frequently after the removal of the cloth :;
the consequence was, that by the time ahe COM
Pdny separated f;e was in happy state IF cleva-
ihings terrestrial
/" He, | really believe I'm drunk +" soIoQulz.
cd, Tom, posing himself his heels, with his
arm cIasped endearingly around lamp posi-
Nv hat the devils TO be done ? Am dream
ing or am d-runk-which Isl Will somebody
tell me 2"
y knot Of wags passing at the moment, hearing
hls voice. roared in combined tones-'.Y GU re
drunk-beastly drunk
here, now, it's out, and no more than sus-
pccted," continued Tom, mournfuIly, in a maudlin
voice. 3" What will Clara say, .'ugh Curse
that last IuleP, say feel as if had dozen
pair o: eyes; and for ton-tongucs, I've got
score all Vaughn away GoT dear life"
Tom here losing proper and important eQuilI-
brium, his heels suddenly flew higher in the air
than is necessary for every day cases Of pedes-
trlanis.n, and, per consequence, he the next
moment III most ungrac!ous position in The gut
Ter.
- Hc. hc, this is r-rich, | m-Lust say. 'Spose
Clara should s-sce now-'lwas only to-day
she P-Praised my in-Integrty. Tom, Tom, you'r re
b-b-yes you are, SO don't deny it-youre a
b-bcastn'
By dint Of a series Of vast efforts he succeeded
in gaining his feet, and proceeded towards home
reeling, and talking to hmseIfall the way. After
installing the house next door, the door front of
which was the same. for his own, he had an
decided search of at least hour for his latch key
4
slipped down his trouser leg through hole IN his
pocket.
Now IN the hall, he leaned up against the wall
and undertook cogilalion. He could sufficient
~ gather his senses to remember the clock in his
~lte's room was out OF repair, aud as she had
sired, she would not be able to tell the time he had
got in That n grand point gained
81 know what FtI do; I'll 90 to bed in the J
dark and then she won't notice my eyes" rum- |
mated Tom. But hold on--Pd like 10 forget it !
she'll smell my brcath-how can fix tha;?'' |
lie puzzled for few moments, and in the end |
concluded to seek the kitchen, and NEEDLE slight |
~ with The spice box. Down the stone stairs he !
went, aud after putting his hand into half dozen
various fluids e ling into row OF pans, jugs and
dishes at length he found handful Of cloves,
hich he thrust into his mouth if they had been
30 many sugar pluma.
"Tthey'er d.devlish hot" splundercd Tom,
with his face all glow, :" but they answer The pur-
nose. How wish Bob Stiles was here 10 tell me
whether the brandy is sufficiently disguised.
Satisfied that the fragance of the cloves had out
sGoured the scent Of the ardent" he mounted
the stairs, and, with the exception of a couple OF
sr.all slumb!es, gained his chamber in safety
Now he would have been happy had his vile not
been wide awake.
"Why, Thomas, how late you are" SAID she
'where's the candle 7"
sOh, never mind the candle" said he, in as
steady tone as he could assume ''Its not late"
81 should Judge it was very late said she,
dear me, | must have that clock fXed.'
~ .e.s, so we muse" said Tom, with miracu.
lous de!iberation, for solitary hccup would
would have betrayed him. AS TO the clocks un.
certain condition, it was phenomenon Of good
luck for him.
..Does il look like rain, dear ?' kindly inquired
Clara.
Now, if Tom had Been put upon his oath he
could no more have answered correctly, in regard
90 The appearance of the weather, than the man
al The moon, and not half so much, for it Is fair
to suppose that II there be mar in The moon, he
is not addicted to the practice at drinking, and,
therefore, keeps bright look out on things below
He replied guardcdly-"Pon word don't
know hat I'll look" and, feeling his way to the
window, he threw aside tho curtains, anu L1T
Of paie starlight threw itself immediately on his
wile's face. CLEAR crystal, you perceive dear,
and down went the certain again.
Clara was very thoughtful and afectonate and
suggested that il the curtain was kept up he could
see his way better about the room.
No, no, dear" replied Tom, very slowly, as
before, 81 have heard that starlight produce luna
cy afer"-midnight he was about to say, but
cough, himself dexterously, considering his stua-
ton, q and that's dreadful, you, know"
Tom made several s,umbies after this, and pre-
sently his wife cought Whit OF the cloves.
Good gracious, Tom, how long you are. AMI
low dreadful you smell of cloves 7"