Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-04-27
CHAPTER III.

Jim Scroggins recovered from his debauch !;
but the first thing he saw, when he came into
the kitchen, in the morning, was the two da-
guerreotypes, which lay open on the table.
He picked up one of them, and started
back in confusion, when he recognized his
own distorted features.
He examined the other. 1t was the coun-
terpart of the first, with the eyes open, and
looking ten times more Lideous than the sleep
ing picture.
ssGood gracious !" exclaimed he "did /
ever look so infarnal homely as that!" and
he proceeded to scrutinize the pictures a Sec
ond time.
SOUS NE if / thought ever looked SO
GUESSED mean as that, I'd 60 down and jump
into the river.
"I'ye seen men though, that looked just
like that are,' continued he /; "but them was
drunkards, now, amt drunkard, though l
sometimes get little sni1zled. / never lit
my pipe at the pump, though. Howsomever,
them was took for me, though when or where,
I've no kind O. notion. There's the old hat,
and that's the old coat--no mistake"
The footsteps Of his wife caused him to
drop the pictures, and he fastened out of the
house to avoid the tempest which he thought
bis wickedness would call down upon his
head.
1t is 4 notable fact that he omitted his
morning dram on this occasion, and bis wife
took courage. Like a prudent woman as she
was, she did not say word about the occur
rences of yesterday, and permitted him to eat
his breakfast in peace.
He got through that day without drinking
drop, but on the following day the old APP
petite clamorcd for the usual dram, and in the
afternoon, while his wife was iii the sitting
room, he went to the closet, where he kept
the bottle.
But the first thing that met his gaze was
the two daguerreotypes, resting against the
black bottle. There was Jim Scroggins,
drunk--asleep, and Jim Scroggins drunk
awake.
"Them cu'ssed dogertypes muttered he
starting back in confusion at the miserable
looking object they 50 faithfully Swallowed to
him.
Jim stopped to think. He fully resolved
never again TO be the loathsome being they
represented him to be. Taking the black
bottle, he went to the door with it, and with
right good will, hurled it on the door-stone,
where it was smashed into thousand frag-
ments, and the delectable stuff irretrievably
lost.
"Hallo. what are you about I" said a
young man, entering the yard
"Smashing my rum-bottle," replied Jim,
with admirable Goodness.
"Bravo. commend your resolution" re-
piled the young man.
"You are the Dogertypc man, amt you -
said Jim.
al am"
"Walk in, if you please" and Jim usher
ed Mr.. Shadow into the sitting-room where
his wife and daughter we're.
"Wife," said he, "you had them pictures
taken?v
81 did James,
"I've broke the bottle--and as to looking
like them creturs, never viii again.
"Thank God James; l hope you never
WILL
"Here is the pledge" said Mr.. Shadow,
who was Temperance man in practice as
well as principle.
"I'll sign it, by Mighty and Jim did sign
it.
Snow, wife, viii you rub them things out. -
"Certainly, James !" and Mrs. Scroggins
went for the pictures.
"And now, Mr.. Scroggins, if you will walk
over to my saloon, l shall be happy to take
the real man, as God made him."
sI'll do it; and Betsey you shall come too
and Suscy."
Susey went with her father and mother,
though her picture had been taken. On the
way, Mr.. Shadow walked BY her side, and
said a great many silly things, with which |
will not trouble the reader