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


ness for all my cruel. brutal treatment
to you aud the children. know do
not deserve IL; Ian unworthy OF your
confidence or respect for my abuse TO
you. whom l have promised to love and
protect, said Holyday, with deep and
tender emotions.
freely and cheerfully forgive you,
my dear husband. l can forgive and
forget all-all the past. II you viii only
reform and be to me what you once
were.
Under the influence Of the excite
ment, and the harrassing thoughts of the
great evils he had brought upon his fam
Ily, he solemnly pledged.hlmself to her
that he would never taste again OF the
intoxicating bowl.
"Olivia," said he, after he made the
pledge" "l wish the Maine Law would
pass; then there could be no danger in
my case. But now l must be constant
ly on my guard. or shall be tempted,
overcome, and brought down again into
the ditch"
"The only way for you, my dear bus
band, to keep entirely away from the
pluces VIII ere ii Is sold. lfyou will stay
at home with and not 60 where II Is,
and not see any Of your associates, you
will be in no danger" said his wife, be-
traying much anxiety in the tones Of her
voice and expression Of he, countenance.
al clearly see hats my only woy Of
safety; and will remain here with you
and the children,and make one more ef-
fort TO reform and be man."
lie undoubtedly thought he would
make one more effort. and probably
thought il would be successful one; his
wife vas again inspired with hope that
she SHOULD once more be blessed with
an affectionate and temperate husband.
But how little they understood his weak
ness, the strength of his appetite, the
power Of the temptation by which he
was surrounded, and the influence OF his
wicked associates 10 allure and destroy
him.
For several months he continued So
bor, and appeared very penitent for his
cruelty aud abuse to his family, and
seemed anxious by his kindness to make
so far as he was able, amends for the
past.
One day, as he was az work in bis
garden, Sam Laraby come by with a
quart OF whisky which he had pur chased
at Parks's trvern. John, aint't you
dry asked Sam, holding up his bottle
between hepickets. Won't you have
a dram!
guess not. said John, walking to-
wards him.
You amt goin' to jine the radicals,
are ye ! asked Laraby, laughing hearth
ly at his own wit.
No; but don't need any; and as
long as don't need It, think il is
not worth while to drink IL.
Take hold. man; what's got In you
to act so You amt 'fraid I'll pizen
you, are youl
The temptation, together with the
appeal of his old cUmrade, were too
strong for him and he drank, which
again fired up his old appetite, the clam
orous demands OF which could not be
satisfied until he went TO Parks's and
drank to beastly intoxication. From
this time, he waxed worse and worse,
giving himself up fully to dissipation
and vice. His gross intemperance re-
duced bis family to pinching want and
the lowest depths OF poverty. His poor
family were obliged to abandon their
house, and take shelter in the attic of an
old dilapidated building, reached by two
fights Of crazy, creaking stairs on the
outside OF the building. Through the
openings in the roof, cracks In the sides
of the building, and broken glass, the
winds of winter and drenching storms
beat 'sfuriously upon the defenceless
heads OF Mrs. Holyday and her inno-
cent children. In this uncomfortable
dwelling she was obliged to live, and
earn with her needle the means Of SUBJ
sistance for her family. She was often
obliged to sit up all night in the winter
season without fire, while the snow was
sitting about her. to meet her engage
ments.
During very severe storm OF seve-
raj days continuance, Holyday had
spent his time at Parks's tavern, mani
testing no anxiety whatever for his des.
tiiue, suffering family at home. He
spent his time in bringing in wood and
keeping up fires iu the house, for which
Parks gave him his board aud what liq-
uor he could drink.
Scribner and Donaldson threw their
cloaks around them, and started out in
the storm to look after the poor, espec-
tally the poor and destitute families Of
tho inebriates. When they came to
the old red building they found no
beaten track, but mounted the steps and
ascended, and entered a narrow hall,
through which they passed into the room
occupied by Holyday's family. They
found Mrs Holydy setting on the floor,
leaning against the wall. She held in
her hand her needle on her lap was
lying beautiful piece of unfinished
and by her side stood little
Willie. saying, Mother, dear mother,
won't you give me some brerd ! But
she answered not; the frost of death
was in her eye.