Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-08-05


they determined to give me the next best
thing they could-a good education. 30 at
an early age l was sent to school and re-
mained until l became sixteen years DID,
Arriving at that age, was considered old
enough to start out into the world and earn
my living by my own exertions; and acting
upon that consideration, my parents brought
me to this city and bound me Ps an appren-
tice at the carpenters trade. To boys of six
teen who have been brought up in the coun-
try, the city always presents q great many
attractions and temptatiops; some OF them
Of a very dangerous kind; and boy OF an
easy, Welding disposition. unless controlled !
by some good inagopce. is readily led astray.
My employer was very kind and lndul-
gent to his apprentices, of whom he had sew
eral besides myself; and after seeing that they |
did his work and providing them with food |
and clothing he considered that his duty to-
wards them was performed, and never trou-
bled himself rs to where and how they spent |
their leisure hours. Thus left free to follow |
the lead of my fellow apprentices who had
lived in the city all their lives, and were
perfectly familiar with all the places of any
notoriety either good or bad, but more par
ticularly the bad, it is not surprising that
my nights were spent in visiting with them
the theatres, bowling saloons and bar-rooms
of course, at irst merely to see the sights
and for the sake of company. But bad COM
pany is worse than none at all; and the
good boek tells US that EVIL communications
corrupt good Manners which to my sorrow
found to be too true, as by degrees l soon
learned to participate in all the amusements
in which my companions indulged.
My parents were strictly temperate per-
sons, who considered the use of Alcoholic
| I.
brought me up to look upon the subject in
the same manner; and therefore for long
time all the persuasions of rsy companions
could not induce me to partake with them
Of ardent spirits, not even to take pop OF
q Lemonade which was generally asked
when stronger drinks were declined. But
perseverance will accomplish almost any
thing, and l was finally induced to join them
in social glass; as they termed it, and
thus took the first step in the path of intem-
perauce. The ice once broken, no further
persuasion was necessary; and L never al
forwards failed to join them in drink when
invited to do so, and in turn frequently asked
them to drink with me.
Time passed on. My apprenticeship ex
pired, and with sundry presents as tokens of
, my employers esteem, and his best wishes
for my success through future life, l started
out into manhood possessed of good trade,
and with fair prospects ahead of me. No
} evil effects from my indulgence in strong
} drinks had as yet manifested themselves and
could take glass whenever pleased and
not be any worse off in consequence.
During my apprenticeship had formed
the acquaintance of several young ladies
whose circumstances in life were about the
same as nv own, and having attained my
r IoroD 70 fbipG cnrinus1v of mar
riage. With this view set about selecting
{ from amongst my fair acquaintances one
whom | thought we'll qualified to assume the
Y duties and responsibilities of wife, and
: make happy home for man IN humble
r circumstances.
: This pleasing task was soon performed,
n and found more easily than l anticipate d
n one whom | was confident possessed the re,
g ouisite qualifications, and whom l knew
s loved W ith all the fervor Of an ardent nature
= She was about eighteen years of age, IN the
,t bloom of maidenhood, with fair, rosy com
L. plexion handsome features and form tina
il a sculptor would have envied for model
r. She was poor girl, having like myself beer
q raised in the country, and was at the time
- formed her acquaintance milliner's appren
e, tice, earning her subsistence by her needle
q We were married. She brought me no dowr.
le but q loving heart, a kind and amiable dis
to position and willingness to do whatever
n laid in her power to render me happy and
make our humble home paradise on earth
Of With such q companion to stand by my sid
ed and cheer me on through Gfe's weary jour
ce ney, what more was wanting to render m
ly perfectlv contented and happy? Alas tn
as sequel will show that all these inducement
as did not prevent ME from walking the slipper
as and dangerous path of intemperance. Blu
"a | anticipate.
'y For long time after our marriage every
lg thing went on smoothly. had constant en-
or ployment at good wages; my wite's needl
re was seldom idle, and possessed of pleasar
nj and cheerful home l had no occasion to Wis
u the places which were formerly my night
"a, resorts, and was always to be found whe
% my DAYS work was over, at my own fresld
OF reading some entertaining book or papt
d. aloud, whilst my wife's nimbIe fingers busil
'r- piled the needle. 1t is true all this time
to had not given up drinking because l di
I'd not think | was in any danger from til;
ut source and | therefore indulged whenevt
'st had an inclination to do SO. A year pass
ss ed away, and in all that time do not b
en- lieve had spent q single evening away fro
hu home except in company with my WIFE,
About this time another attraction was a.
10 ded to the many our humble home alTead
ars boasted, in the person of smiling infan
ice which loved with all the fondness Of fat
ho er's heart; and every spare moment Of n
ore time was devoted to it and home. l had no
Ioh every comfort that heart could wish a chez
'Hs full home, to which, after the busy toll of Il
'el, day had ceased, could repair and rest n
'hd weary limbs; devoted wife to make n
.t ~ home happy one and to cheer me wi
'Ie soothing words of comfort when beset
lon sickness or the troubles of life, and q smili
. sS's babe to welcome me with its infant pratt
'ne Yet in spite of all these blessings and CO.
P1n forts the demon alcohol claimed me for |
A'u- own and | fell beneath the level Of the bru
=. 1T was about a year and q half after 1
thlS marriage, that, at the solicitation of some
nay my fellow workmen, l attended one nigh
Ihat political meeting. An election for memb
'ery of Congress was to take place in a sh
may time; party spirit ran high and the entl
en- sasm Of both parties was excited to the hi,
pro- est degree. Every means were employed
and either party to secure a triumph MOI
una was spent freely, suppers were given by
sons rival candidates and liquors of every K
the flowed like water. As said, attended
may meeting, and its close, completely carr
vel; away by the exciting proceedings of the ev
ana ing and urged by my friends, i adjourned v
tore' the crowd to neighboring bar-room wh
y Se refreshments were provided by the candiC
stop of the party. Having no soruples alb
their drinking, partook freely of what was
elate before us, and the result was that at a
hour Of the night returned home into1
ongst ted!
rents 4 shall not attempt to portray the {