Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-07-17

~OhO uPOb Suut uOuoo' WY
should Alice weep? All, for :he same
reason that thousands of our fairest
daughters weep. For the same reason
that hot tears are ever crying out their
silent appeals Of mercy-tears that run
until they make flood that fairly shrieks
as it rolls over our land.
Malcom Warren had high social ma.
ture, his society was priced BY all who
could secure it; and he had been indul.
ging in the false smiles Of the wine. cup
for the last year; he had been allowing
his appetite TO gain strength. At first il
was only an occasional glass;" then "a
glass CT so once'in while." and then
tone or two glasses day." But lately
he had gone so far as 10 spend his earn.
ings from home, and for nearly two
monthslp past he had spent all his money
with his jovial companions. Alice saw
all this, and she knew full we'll where
it would end il it was moi stopped. She
knew her husbands nature, and she knew
how surely he was fallen. She had whis.
pered to him her fears, and he had tried
to laugh them off as idle whims. She
had prayed 10 him 10 stop the fatal ca.
reer while he had yet strength, but he had
been offended because she should think
that he would ever become a drunkard.
So Alice was afraid 10 speak all her
fears. Yet she saw with clear eye all
that was coming. She saw the broad
road upon which her beloved was trav.
elling, and her heart was aching. She
knew that even now want was staring
them in the face. 1t was autumn, and
she had asked Malcom for money to buy
warmer clothes for herself and children,
and he had none to give her. Only a
day before he had brought home bucket
full Of flour instead Of sending home a
barrel as he used to do. He earned
money, and where was it? Alas! poor
Alice knew too we'll Malcom's face, and
she saw that its manly beauty was slowly
but surely eaten away. The large blue
eyes were growing dim, bleared and
bloodshot, the once fair cheeks were be.
coming swollen and bloated, and the
lips looked dry and cracked. No won.
der she knelt down by her bedside and
prayed.
1t was now Saturday evening, and Nal.
com was going out. He was to meet
some friends, and Alice knew he was to
meet them at the tavern. He had work
ed only three days the past week, and
he had the pay for these three day'swork
ia his pocket. That money was needed
at home, but where would it be on the
morrow!
"Malcom, o do not wholly forget
your fond, loving Alico when you are
gone"
But Malcom did not answer. He kiss.
ed her not as he used 10 do, but kissed
her merely because sho asked him to-
and then left his cottage. After he had
gone, Alice sat down AMI wept. She
could not he'll it. Her darling boy crep
by her side, and placed his arms abou
her neck. He asked no questions, bu
he asked her not to cry. His little mint
seemed to have some idea Of the coming
of calamity. 1t must have been vague
but it was clear enough to prevent hin
from forcingthe dread thoughts upon hi
mother. Once meses he asked her not tt
cry and then his little heart burst, an'
mo.her and child wept together. Thi
was another drop in the poor wife's cul
Of aflliction. Oh, how palpable must b
the husbands danger! But she coul'
only clasp her hands and pray more fer
vently. And the little boy when hi
. mother had done praying, said, "Amen.
1t was a clear cool evening, and a
Malcom Warren stepped out into tn
street he seemed to shake himself a
though he would shake off the inauenc
Of the dear place he was leaving. Bl
he could not wholly do it. He coul
not drive from his mind the fearful cour
tenance Of his fond and loving wife, M
could he forget the look Of earnest, sin
!. pie anguish he had noticed on the fac
of his child. Yet he tried to crush tn
e thoughts that were thus springing in'
: life. "Pooh!" said he, as the image
| his wife forced itself upon him, at
only little fun and irolic. Who's
r business is it? Get out with your nor
d sense"
s And thus speaking, the young husban
o and father closed his hands as though
is would hold upon the feelings he had tt
ed to repress. and then he fastened o
: A, length he reached the tavern, and he
'f he found his companions. The lau
q and the joke commenced, and ere lo
Malcom forgot all about his home.
9, sat in the bar.room, and his sharp '
made food for much merriment.
is "Who says there's danger in the bowl
IN cried young man, as he raised the gl'
n to his lips.
le sits the ravens croak," said anoth
I'd Of his companions. Heres confu 81
he to the idea."
n. "Good!" exclaimed Malcom War;
at posing his glass. "Poison in the bc
vo nonsense! Look at old Uncle Ada
ler he's used it all his li(e.ti and here h
ith the oldest man in town. Come, here's
nd Uncle Adam!'
lat The psrson to whom Malcom had Il
lot alluded was an old, white.haired M
who stood at the bar with glass Of 7
OF. in his hand. His name was Adam St
aid ford, and almost ninety years had rol
80, over his forest head. His form was b
the and his limbs trembled, but still he
ire. | al md his mind was vat clasr He hs