Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-22
! iiatsd .peculiarihss- A SAD story.

Inione Of the New England States I
know lad, now about twelve or thirteen
years of age, whose condition is a most re-
markable demonstration ofthe natural law
that the child is very faithful copy of the
parents.
The boy is natural druukard. From
his birthday to the present moment, he has
given all the outward indications of being
deeply drunk and yet, so far as know,
or think it probable, he has never swallow
cd drop Of ardent spirits in his life.-
Though in good, sound health, he has nev-
cr been able to walk without staggering.
His head is always upon his breast, and
his speech is of that peculiar character
which marks persons in very low stage
of intoxcation. II, nevertheless, in the
midst cf his mutterings and reelings. some
thing is said Ito him in way to pass through
the thick atmosphere of his intellectual be-
ing, and penetrate his nina, he at once
rouses, like common tippler, and gives
proof enough that he is not wanting in Ia
tive talents, hover his mental faculties are
enShrouded. His disposition, also, seems
to be extremely amiable. He is kind to
every one around him, and may add, he
is not only pitied for his misfortune. but
in spite of his lamentable condition. reear
ded with uncommon interest He is look
ed upon as star Of no mean mag, itude.
obscured and almost blotted out by the
mist in which he is doomed to dwell, till
he shall pass from the present state of ex-
istence to another.
Now, as understand the law of heredi-
tary descent, there is nothing unnatural in
this boys case. Every individual ever
born is governed by the same principle,
which caused them to be what he is. Prior
to marriage, his father had been secret
but confirmed inebriate; and when the
fact became known to the gentle and sweet
spirited being, who but a few months
before, had become his wife, the revelation
was made suddenly, and in a way the most
impressive and appalling. One night,
when he was supposed to be the most un-
impeachable of husbands, he staggered
home, broke through the door of his Sleep
ing apartment, and fell down on the floor
in state of wrethed inebriation. For
weeks he wallowed in misery. During the
next six or seven months, seeing that his
domestic reputation had been forfeited, he
kept up almost continuous scene of in
toxication. When, at the end of this pc
riod, it was told him that he was "the hus-
band of a mother" he reeled and stagger-
ed on without abatement. Months passed
away but there occurred no change in
the habits Of the poor inebriate. 1t was at
once discovered, however, that there was
something singular in the appearance of
the child.
When it was three months old, there
began to be some strange spcculations res
pecting it ameng the people. At the age
ofsix months, these speculations had settled
down into very general opinion, but not
word was said to the dsconsola:e wo-
man, who had also begun to have her own
forebodings. At last, as she was one eve
ming looking upon her child, and wonder
ing what could be the reason of It's strange
conduct, the terrible idea flashed upon her
soul, My child is natural drunkar,l ~
She shrieked aloud and her husband, who
happened TO be within hearing, came to
HcT. one IeA upon MS neck, enu eAclaln-
ed, f" Dear husband, our little George Is
born "a" She could proceed no further,
but swooned in her husbands arms.
From that honr the father Of the boy
never tasted drop of spirits The sight
of his eyes and the heavings of his heart
entirely cured him of his habit He seldom
looks upon his unfortunate little George
without shedding tear over that sih
which entailed upon him life of obscurity
and of wrctchedness. He has lived, re-
joice to add, so as to redeem his character;
and he is now the father of FIVE children,
all of whom are bright, and beautiful, and
lovely, excepting only the one whose des-
tiny was thus blasted.
The principle Of inheriting traits and
characteristics, however, is susceptible Of
an indefinite number of illustrations. II
has become psoverb, and it is sustained
by all history and observation, that libidi-
nous connections are uniformly marked by
a strong tendency to improper passions,
while the subsequent sons and daughters
of the same parentage, where thorough re-
pentance has taken place, arc in general
virtu0us.