Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-10-06

TO be as old as Mathus'lar. you're so good,
said All, holding his pipe between his
thumb and finger.
The above conversation was in con-
sequence Of llolytay's brutal treatment
to his family the night before, while In a
state of inebtiatIon. lie came home
late, and because his wife had not h =
table spread, snd warm supper ready
for him, he flew into a rage. lie threw
the brands Of FIRE which were burnin 2
on the hearth on tho floor the candle
which was on tho stand he forced
through the window the chairs he
broke by striking them against the
jambs; the table he split to pieces with
the axe, aud hacked and split the lid OF
the piano. His wife pleaded aud expos
tulated with him, which only served TO
exasperatc any make him worse. ii G
seized chair round and prostrated hls
wife TO the floor the first blow. His
children crisd, and pleaded with him not
to kill their mother whereupon he fell
to kicking them. Tho little creatures
rushed out OF doors, and hid from his
presence.
The screams and cries Of Mrs. Holy.
day and her children startled the neigh
bors from their sumbers, and called
them 10 the scene Of excitement. When
they came into the house, they found
Mrs. Holyday lying on the floor in her
blood, which was running from deep
wound cut in her head by the blow she
received from the hand of her husband.
Doctor Finley was Immediately cali
ed. Mrs. Scribner. Mrs. Shelby, and
other kind ladies were sent for 10 wash
and bind up her wounds. and make her
comfortable. Nearly two hours elapsed
before she exhibited any signs Of con-
scicusness, when she raised her head
from her pillow, and said, o, where are
my dear children Are they dead -
o, do tell me; has their father killed
them
The friends who had collected there
had been 50 muLh taken up with efforts
TO resuscitate her they had not thought
OF her children. The house was
searched from chamber % cellar with
out success. They started out with lam
terms 10 search for them pnd while DR..
Finley passed near row of currani
bushes, he heard faint voice, evidently
suppressed by fear, "lie still. Willie,
father, Is coming; hewill kill US" As
tho doctar parted the bushes. he found
the dear creatures locked in each Others
embrace, trembling from fear as with an
ague fit.
Mrs. Holyday was so badly injured by
the blow she received on her head, and
the contusions on her body, that her
friends for several weeks despaired OF
lilc. Much OF the time for two weeks
she was wild and dclrious. and uttered
broken sentences about murderers, rob-
bers. and thieves; and frequently she
would shrek out, o my children F! God
save my children from the murderers
Holyduy's conduct was so disorderly
and brutal, John Scrihner thought he
could not let II pass without taking no.
tice OF itin away that would teach him
an instructive lesson. He entered
complaint, and had him arrested nd con-
fined in j.II. During the thirty days Of
his Imprisonment, his family and the
neighborhood had peace. and quiet rest
from his disorderly conduct and brutal
treatment.
During Mrs. Holyday's Hines, Lucy
Matthews, her sister-in-law, cam1 aud
took care Of her, and very deeply SYM
pathized with her in all her trials and
stiiictions. Her heart was vet tender
and in suitable frnme from the effects
of her own bereavement and the traei-
cal death Of her father.
Dear sister Lucy, said Mrs. Holyday.
ss Lucy came into her room with some
refreshments aud sat down on the foot
OF the bed, how dreadful are the evils OF
intempcrance
They are so great, sister Olivia, they
can never be measured in this word.
replied Lucy.
j have been thinking. since I have
been lying here, of the effects OF intem-
perance on our families. II mikes one
shudder TO think of il. II has killed nv
father. The doctors said it was inflama-
tion OIL the brain but that was done
to deceive the people. know, nv sis
ter, he died of delirium trenens for /
was with him, and kope may never
be permitted To witness another such n
death. And intemperance killed nv
brother John. Pardon me. sister Lucy,
for speaking so; for you, trust, arc
aware OF that. He was your husband.
il is true but there can be no harm in
speaking OF his faults, said Olivia, weep
ing.
lie is dead and gone, and DO not wish
to speak reproachiully Of him but no
one knows how much I suffered from
that mans brutal conduct when he was
intoxicated. No man was ever kinder
than be, when sober; but when rnder
the influence Of liquor, he conducted
like iiend
., dear, dear what work in.emper-
unce has made with my fathers family
0, the accursed wine it 'is mocker'!
see now, Lucy, where have missed IL.
| saw no harm in the moderate use Of
It. and so drank it freely. also urred
others to drink il +; aGd no doubt IN this
way have made a drunkard Of my hus-
band. o, may God forgive me for my
wickednessi exclaimed Mrs. Holydav.
trembling with excitement and weeping
bitterly.
Olivia Matthews, as the reader has
been informed, was an intelligent and
accomplished young lady when she first
came to the town Of Harwood. She
was well qualified TO ill sphere Of ex-
tenslve usefulness; but alas as is Of
zen the case, she set an example before
The yonng people ofHarwood which was
not calculated to elevate and improve
them. In social parties she always en-
couraged dancing, card playing. and r
free use Of wine. The reader, therefore
must not be surprised that the evils 10
which she has given her influence to cre-
ate and perpetuate have now overtaken
and are spending upon uer their fearful
power. Her intelligence and knowledge
OF human nature ought to have led he-
in different direction; but she chose
| to follow the QSaOps Of eocto,,. ...L:.L