Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-08-04
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
AN INCIDENT,

A Temperance lecturer, not long since,
told the following story. We have no. seen
it in print, though it may be familiar to
others,
"a poor infatuated drunkard," said he,
"after spending all the money in his pock-
ct, at the bar Of a cod-hearted wretch,
was turned out Of his tavern one dark rainy
night? too much intoxicated to be able 10
find his way home. The canal was only a
few rods from the grCgeery, and into this
the poor victim fell, and was drowned.
On the next morning, his body was discov-
cred floating on the surface OF the water.
The heart stricken wife, without money or
friends, went III despair to the tavern-keep-
er, at whose bar her husband had spent
nearly all of his earnings, and begged Of
him TO help her, IN her dreadful eXtermity,
to give decent burial to the body of her
dead companion.
""Go away! Clear out from here, eX.
claimed the tavern-keeper as soon as he
heard her fearful request. q want moth
ing more to DO with you oryour miserable
husband. I've had trouble enough with him
already
"Weeping bitterly, the poor creature
went out from that den Of corruption and
inlamy, met her leading ragged child
by the hand, and on asking the cause of
her distress, soon comprehend the whole
matter. am somewhat fertile in eXpedi-
entS. One suggested itself now, and was
promptly executed.
"'How many children have your en-
quired.
" Three little ones was answered.
"'Win you bring them here in one
hour from this timer asked.
"She promised TO do so.
"'Be sure and come urged at parting
with her, 'and bring them just as they are
in their rags and wretchedness.
"During the hour that intervened, pas
ssd along the canal, and into many shops
and stores, inviting all met to assemble
in front of the groggery, from which the
dead man had been thrust on the previous
night. A goodIy number were there at the
lime appointed, curious TO know tor what
purpose had assembled them, The wi
dow and her three orphans were also on
the spot, and already objects of sympathy.
"JustIn front of the groggery stood and
old dray. On this placed the woman and
her children, called to them the attention oi
the crowd, and in plain but strong language
told nv story Of the husbands fall from So
briefly, how he had wasted his earning at
The bar Of this grog-seIler; and how, when
he had nothing left, he had been thrust forth
in the night and storm, TO drown in the
waters he had no concious power to avoid.
Then pictured, in the most vivid Ian
puare could command, the weeping wife
imploring the hard-hearted man for aid to
bury the husband lie had murdered; and de-
scribed how he thrust her forth with insult
and violence.
81 miscaculated the power OF what
was doing. A storm of passion was rails
ed that for q time threatened to sweep past
ali opposition on my part. First arose
murmur of Indignation against the grog.
seller. Then low, angry threats passed
from one to another, and then two OF the
most reckless rushed in TO the bar-room,
and seizing the murderer as they called
him, dragged him forth. crying, ITO the
canal. Drown hiul Drown hml lie Is
not fit to liver Promt action was neces
sary. | threw myself into the midst of the
angry mob, and catching hold of the trem-
bling wretch, implored the excited men a.
round me To do him no violence. Better
destroy his rum bottles,' said |, In hopes OF
diverting their minds from the person OF the
tayern-keeper. Ny words had the desired