Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-04-23
An Original Skettg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE DRUNKARD'S HOME.
BY Ivy.

Not many years ago, after an agreeable
soiourn amid the pleasant scenes and assocla-
tions of home, we started early one morning
to return to College duties. We had not
proceeded far on our journey, until we felt
chilling sensation creeping over us, the
SYMPTOMS and nature of which we were but
too we'll acquainted with-we were taking a
chill. Our younger brother who accompanl-
ed us, advised return, as we were at best
in very feeble health and had rather long
and rough days travel before US: However
with that rashness which belongs to youth,
and more especially to the Student, we de-
termined to proceed en- route untll-lf pos
sible-we arrived at our destination. No
doubt, too, we were buoyed up with an eager
desire to meet old College-mates; to grasp
the hand of youthful friendship-and to re-
count the adventures of a somewhat lengthy
vacation. We imagined-under the spur OF
the bright scenes and anticipations ahead
that we would be enabled to bluff off, or at
least to bear up under our chill; but at each
stage of our journey the ominous sensation
increased until the shaking became so vlo-
lent that it was with difficulty we maintained
our seat in the buggy. TO proceed farther
became impossible, and accordingly our COM
rade determined to call at the first house.
He soon drew up in front of a very dilaplda-
ted and antique looking residence, which to
all appearance, had experienced the peltlngs
of many pitiless storm, and had wlthstood
the surgiug pillows of many winters chill
ling blast Without ceremony, we entered
shivering and exhausted from ten miles
ride and nearly two hours chill or ague.-
A group of three ladies were the only occu-
pants that met my gaze-thc eldest ofwhom,
quite an aged lady handed me large old
fashioned rocking chair, (Which we suppose
from its very ancient appearance to have
been an heirloom handed down from her
forefathers) saying very kindly, "sit down,
you seem to be almost fainting." We sunk
into the profered chair, facing large bla-
zing fire, in spacious old chimney, and ere
long a reaction taking place, our fever be-
gan to rise. Hdd riSc-aud that to an alarm
Inc height. The brain throbbed and reelcd
reason tottered-in common parlance we
were ait of our head! The old lady kind
ly led us to an adjoining room, where we
found comfortable bed. We were sick,
sick, sick, and the room was so small and
close that we almost suHocatet; we knew not
where we were, or what we wcrc--every
thing seemed in a perfect whirl and uproar,
Oh my brain was suffering the most intense
agony. Just at this moment sound i
shall never forget it--camc from an adJa-
cent room and fell upon my ears. l started
alarmed and bewildcrcd! What. thought
we--is this the huHdcriugs of an awful des'
tiny. But bark louder and louder still--we
caught the sound more distinctly such ours.
es, such awful oaths. Our inmost soul
shuddered and trembled-my heart sunk
within me- My God is this the mutterins
curses of the damned-is this the bowling
wall of the lost writhing in endless agony? We
at length could catch the words, ''water .
Oh some water, waterw and then would
follow another vollcy of oaths and curses,
which would make even the hair on the head
stand erect. Soon we heard the soft, sooth-
ing tones of female voice cndeavoring to
quiet the miserable sufferer then We caught
Gone more dram-please. Oh! shall die
only one more drop" and then another
volley Of curscs-"a deeper groan !-For
nearly three hours our fever lasted, and the
scene in the adjoining room was enacted over
and over. We thought, amid our wild imag'