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


give up the use of liquor altogether (; and |
moved by her entreaties and ashamed of my
situation, promised to do so. But the love
of intoxicating liquors had grown much
stronger than | thought, and | did not find
it as easy to quit drinking as anticipated
and from that time began to drink moro
and more, and great portion of my time,
when not at work, was spent at the various
bar-rooms in which the city abounded. My
wife's tears and entreaties were of no avail |
I would frequently promise to stop drinking
and reform, bat at the first opportunity the
promise would be broken. Soon began to |
return home frequently in state of beastly |
intoxlcation, and - was sometimes necessary /
for some ofmy companions more sober than
myself to carry me home, else ! should have
occasionally slept in the gutter or the watch |
house. also began to neglect my business;
often spending whole days in the taverns and
barrooms, when should have been at work;
and when | did manage to get to work /
frequently left it to go TO the nearest public
house to get drink. Of course such state
of affairs did not suit my employer, and as a
natural consequence | was discharged
Others knowing my qualifications gave me
work, but as I continued in my evil practices
the same consequences followed. The result
was, that l very soon found myself out of
employment and unable to obtain any, all
being willing to employ me if would keep
at work and quit drinking, but knowing my
habits were afraid to trust me.
Having no other means of subsistence we
were now compelled to take the little savings
ofmy sober days, in order to procure the ne,
cessaries of life and to crafty my thirst for
liquor; but as they were small not very
long time elapsed before they were AL spent
o~1I IL. r.
My wife was now forced to take in sewing
we managed to live for considerable time :;
but finally, from close application to work,
her health began to fail, and this slender
prop was taken from us.
My wife's earnings had been entirely de-
voted to supplying the wants of the family,
and by doing little odd Jobs whenever could
get them, managed to obtain money enough
to furnish me with rum but as on account
of her ill.health she could now earn very
little, the small amount she did earn being
spent for food, and as | never done any work
at all OF any account, we soon began to get
in arrears for rent, and our landlord being
hard-hearted, mOney-loving man was dis
posed to show us no favors, and very soon we
were stripped of all our furniture, saving the
small quantity exempted by law, to satisfy
his demands, and were compelled to leave
the pleasant home where we had spent so
many happy days, and take up our abode in
cheaper and poorer quarters.
But will not trespass so far upon the
time and patience of my hearers, Mr.. Presi-
dent, as to relate every step in my downward
career. Those who have experienced the
same are but too well acquainted with all
would tell them, and those who have not
lu 70 III al
tion of the misery and degradation of fel
low being. Suffice it to say. that years pas
sed away, and every step took was still
downward, and l was drunkard of the low
est order. I cruelty neglected her whom
should have loved and protected, rarely eve1
speaking kind word to her, and at the sigh
of me, my child would fly to her arms fo
protection from its drunken father. Thos
who had formerly been my friends and pat
rons, having lost all hope ofmy reformation
refused to recognize me; landlords refused
me credit, often turned me out of doors, an,
l was forced to resort to any and ever
means to satisfy my craving appetite 70
liquor. My only associates were those in tn
same condition as myself, and my time wa
mostly spent in the lowest groggeries, neve
going home save at night, and only then whe
every bar-room and grog shop in the city wa
closed.
My wife and child managed to live in som
way God only knows how; for never tror
bled myself about them possibly by m
wife's own exertions, sick and feeble thoug
she was, and by charity. Yet notwithstant
ing all my ill-treatment towards her, sh
was still the same kind and gentle being st
had always been. l cannot recollect eve
receiving cross word from her, and the be-
she could do for me was freely and chez
fully done. She frequently begged and Ell
treated me with tears in her eyes, for my ow
sake for the sake of my child and for h,
sake, to turn from my evil ways and reform
and | know that was always remembers
in her prayers. But it was of no use.
paid no attention to her prayers or entreatie
and continued in my evil habits
Il will now relate the circumstances und
which | was led to reform. That which Il
tears and entreaties of my wife and the infr
ence Ct my former friends had failed to efec
was brought about by means of dream.
was always inclined to be superstitious, ar
was a firm believer in signs and dream
which may account for the great good resul
ing from the one am about to relate
4 returned home one night much earli
and in moro sober state than usual I h;
been lounging about the different bar-roon
and rum-shops all day, out of money, and
readiness to embrace any opportunity
which l could get drink but fortunate
unfortunately thought it was then-I W
very unsuccessful and had drank very lit
liquor that day. So at night, completely d
o couraged and not knowing what else to d
= l returned home. Ny wife appeared great
= surprised at my coming so early and in su
sober condition, but said nothing, and S
= before me what little she had left from su
J, per and bade me eat did so in silence, al
? when / had finished Immediately retired
!. bed and was soon asleep. But from sor
$ cause or other l could not sleep very sound
!, Perhaps it was that lacked the usual sti
v ulants and my system was in state of NJ
1f vous excitement IN consequence of hayi
q drank SO little liquor that day, and afte,
20 time awoke and found that nv wife a
rfJ child had retired, and that everything v
J. still. | again fell asleep and had the folio
b. ing dream:
y I dreamed it was night, and that y
~ In one OF the bar-rooms which was in
ne habit of frequenting. where large numl
I'D OF people were assembled, amongst whom
he recognised many of my boon companions
ed All seemed to be drinking very freely a
n laughing and talking in loud voices and :
tn great rate. None of the party appeared
re be much intoxicated, but all were quite m
lte ~, and several seemed to be pretty far 90
ut The party continued to drink, and to lar
set and jest with eaca other for some time. W.
ate hnally some person made testing rem
ca referring to another one present at which
person alluded to, being pretty well int
net cateu' TOOK o1enee and replied that it wa