The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-15

Of course, her husband, who was of a
directly opposite temperament, was rem
dered miserable. also. Mrs. Butler seem.
ed so welded to her woe, that every effort
on his part to alleviate it, was promptly
repulsed. He had grown disguised. His
wife was always complaining. He never
came into the house without being assail-
ed by relation of her woes. He cursed
his stars-blamed himself for ever becom-
ing husband.
But then, poor fellow. what could he do?
Mary was gentle aud pleasant a maiden
before her marriage as one often finds.
She had never been placed in position
to try her character: lie might have heard
her fret over new dress that did not fit.
or something of that sort; but he never
dreamed that tempest could ever blow
out Of such little cloud. 1t was only
when she felt the cold touch Of life's reali.
ties, that she showed out exactly what she
was.
1t was too late now; the mischief had
the mother of little, Bobby. He loved her
still, though his affections had been terri
bly, shocked by her thoughtless grumbling.
| Mary had promised TO do better; but,
alas for the vanity Of human promises,
they were words written in sand. The
habit had become deep-rooted. Thomas
was in despair, He, had tried by threats
and by persuasions to make her reasona-
BILE, but all in vain. His house was a hell
Ito him. II she had scolded at him, been
negligent Of her household duties. a gad-
der. in the. street. a, gossip anything but
a grumbler, he felt that he could have en-
|dured it, loved her, and continued to be
j happy. =. 49,
i But it, was an ever present leaf Of woe
her countenance presented to him., and
when home had ceased to be q pleasant
place. he gradually absented himself. and
t the still loving but incorrigible wife smell
} the rum in his breath. when he returned
from his evening amusements. ss,..s
One night, about two months after the
1 conversation we have narrated, as the
! clock was striking the midnight hour, hi
was brought home, .help'essly drunk, ir
/. the arms Of two watchmen, who had pick
h ed himsup in the street. "a
: What sight for a young and lovin,
wife to behold the father of her child drunk
They placed him in bed, and she spent
sleepless night in weeping over his sense
! less, embruted form. @, the agony Of tha
d bitter time! Her husband a drunkard
/. she, drunkard's wife!. Earth has it
u miseries, but none like those Of the inebri
IS ate's wife. sss;s. st., s., Rss
4 Wants shame, the poer-house, .the. conl
and the prison rose before her with terribl
), viyidness. a train Of woes--real woes
e $50 long she codld not see the end Of j
marched in solemn procession before hel
There was her child in rags. her husbant
/; a homeless, idle. degraded sot. TheI
10 was the gaunt form OF hunger. the glarin
d eyes Of the demons crime-there was e,
erything there from which the heart {
woman would instinciively shrink.
,e Thomas rose the next morning, and 9,
n his breakfast in silence-the silence whic
shame seemed to impose upon him. Il
n. was about to leave the house for his wol
" shop, when Mary spoke. @
m Thomas said she. in the subdued tone
o of anguish, while a food Of tears raine
al down her wan cheek.
He looked at her, as though he had a
ready OWNED what she meant to say.
Thomas, you cant think how unhapE
he was last night when you were-whe
n. you came home
ed well, what's the matter now?' answe
of ed Thomas, sulleniy.
OF SfsOh, Thomas, last night
Of We'll, what of it2'
he Mary was amazed that no appearan
of contrition mitigated his hagrant erre
Ie- .You don't come home in the evenii
ad now @ .i3a,3, ei :.
he Mo- ~ slseS5I asa
on .But you will come tonight. Thoma.
nd = perhaps Twill
,ot| may, you ,cill?' - RA's
N what for?' a.3t 20 g ~
ip .Come for my sake, Thomas $ i2st
lie your sake! Well, that IS a good on
nd replied he, coarsely. 14A '4es a2t
all - Mary was shocked. '@.s9' e
IDS LAST night, you were - were-' 8
could say no more.
tie Yes. ,cds.
the sYou WERE II. /! lag5s.
nld Drunk! Out with it, 7.a1
not .Oh, ThomasP eil3 saa asa
zen iWell.s 20 .71selae I>5ilest 10
her What misery is in store for usP e
III. Cant help it aw 5stdas
to May, Thomss, promise that you
lks not, q aaae laa ~ n
she Sect drunk. laughed Thomas. =
as do not again. gzao
md sCant PROMISE aqi.
sOh. God! has it come to thisP
lgh sFactl' asi a ai} a
ore Mary threw herself into chair a
sat wept as though her heart would bre
rri. The sight seemed to move the husbal
rm. who was not yet lost in traEsgression.
Fri tear stole into his eye, and he bent o
she her, and took her hand. .t
ub. MARY, l have sinned.' aag 81
ssYou will not againl' said she. eager
.zy; But, Mary, is there no fault on y
n a fpart?' baaft.A4 esaS
the my part?' I ga i
,ere my home is hateful to me-. Even
up presence of that sleeping, innocent CT
was removes not the curse which seems to HI
ime over it, ISL p As sisa asA.as
,are sls.Why. Thomas. what do you meana
ubt. you know what / mean. Have l.
i. r.. ->o.@o Al ,,;tl. vou1s .,,tsg,g - =.