The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-02-02
WESTERLY, r. l., THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 1854

+ Promise me one thing, Edward
Her voice faltered, and the mounting
blood crimsoned her forehead.
" Promise what :" The young man
partly turned his face away.
"It is Thanksgiving, you know
Don't stop at Blacks. Promise me-
Nonsense, Sarah !" Edward spoke
lightly.
80, Edward don't 90 there" plead
the wife. Remember how it was witt
you on last Thanksgiving. Think o.
your mother, Edward. For her sake
if not for mine, keep yourself sober to-
day. She had wet eyes last year. This
time let them be full Of joy"
"Don't worry yourself, child" an
swered Edward playfully, and he broke
from her. "rm not going to Blacks.
Get the children and yourself ready
against l return. will be gone only
little while"
The tavern kept by Black was directly
on the way to Wilson's. Perkins was
in earnest about not stopping there. He
remembered the unhappiness he had
caused on the former Thanksgiving, and
his purpose was to abstain from drink
wholly, on the present occasion. Alas !!
for his good resolutions. No sooner
rested his eyes on the White Swan that
graced the swinging sign Of the tavern
keeper, than he felt IN almost irresisti-
bic desire to taste his liquor. But he
said to himself:
"I'm not going in there to-day. My
mothers Thanksgiving shall not be as
it was last year, fearful one. Her
eyes were wet all the time. That re-
member too well.
Even while he spoke thus to himself,
a friend met him with the words,
/" All, good morning, Edward-good
morning! Come, let's have drink -
Poor Edward Perkins How in
stantly were his great resolutions forgot
ten. He did not even make a show of
resistance, but yielded at once to the
invitation. Not till two glasses of liquor
were swallowed did he leave the bar
room. These were enough to drown
all good purposes.
On his way back from Wilson's, he
stopped of his own accord and took
another glass. AS usual with half in
toxicated men, he fancied that no one
could detect his lapse from sobriety.
To deceive his wife he attempted an un-
usual degree of cheerfulness on meeting
her. But he betrayed at once the sad
detection. Her eyes were too well
skilled in the signs of inebriety. IN
happy woman Strength seemed in
stantly withdrawn from her. Her knees
trembled-she sank into chair, weak
in body, and hopeless in spirit.
"Why, bless US, Sarah What's
the natter you look half scared to
DEATH" exclaimed Perkins, affecting not
to comprehend the sudden change in his
wife's manner.
40, Edward! Edward !" was her
only response, made in so sad tone,
that even his feelings were, for an in
slant, reached.
Twice, while on their way to his
fathers, did Edward make an excuse to
stop at public houses, and on each occa-
sion, another glass of liquor was taken
so that, by the time they reached the
elder Mr.. Perkins, he was so much in
liquor that even a child could detect it
Does the reader wonder, that the eyes
Of his mother were wet all through that
Thanksgiving dinner 1t i, a greater
wonder that the hot tears did not over
aow her eyelids and gisten on her
cheeks; for Edward was quite talkative
md oficious, betraying his condition at
every word. No one at the table could
make remark without his voice coming
n promptly, and always with confused
'r laundering utterance.
AT last, his father became so fretted
by all this, that in moment Of angry
mpatience, he said, looking steruly at
lis son as be spoke
"Don't make a fool Of yourself any
opger, Edward You might hold your
jongue, at least J"
Poor Sarah Her face crimsoned
instantly. She looked mortified and