Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-18
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The DAUGHTER OF THE DRUNKEN FATHBR.
a. temperance meeting in New Bedford a
few days since, Mr.. Adams, who is connected
with the " House for the Fallen" related the
following narrative of his own daughter. 1t
may be worth the reading of many drinking
men who have daughters, as showing them
the influence they possess over erring parents:
few years ago there was severe eonfla-
grafton at Boston. He was sitting at the
time at the dinner table in company with his
wife and children, when the tone of the alarm
bells indicated that the FIRE was near his own
house. Soon the smoke and einders were
flying about in every direction, and the quick
tramp of hundreds was heard upon the pave
ments, hurrying onward to witness the raging
Of the devouring element Ny daughter, then
about thirteen years of age, as we supposed,
with the intention oil looking out of an upper
window, or to look upon the thousands who
were running by in the widest state of ex-
element, suddenly quilted the reom. In
about half an hour after the alarm was given,
the door-bell was loudly rung. and a little
girl very much excited informed MS that our
daughter had been run over by an engine.
remarked that such thing could hardly be
possible, and that she must be about the
house. We found that she was not at home.
Immediately went out, to inquire if the story
related by the little girl was true. In turn
ing out of the place in which 1 lived into Sa-
lem street saw quite large crowd. went
towards them, and there witnessed sight
that overcame me. My brain re eled, and 1
could only say, in broken accents, 6 Oh my
daughter :" Borne in the arms of two men
lay my only daughter, her hair dishevelled,
blood streaming from her mouth, nose, and
eyes; one OF the eyes was entirely closed, her
skull fractured, presenting a spectacle which,
to fathers heart, was painful in the
extreme. consultation of physicians was
held, and the result of their investga-
tons made known the fact that my daUgh-
tcr's wounds were of serious character, and
that her lie hung By a single thread. They
then concluded in consequence of her age
and excellent constitution, not to perform an
operation, but TO trust to nature and simple
remedies as her condition from time 10 time
might suggest. For few days she lay in an
unconscious state, the stiffness of the sick
room being only occasionally broken by the
deep heart-rending groans of the little suf-
terer Being in the room alone one night,
my soul bowed down in deep despair, my
heart crushed, panied, and tortured with the
most painful emotions at the thought that
my only daughter might soon enter the val
ley OF the shadow of DEATH and that the por-
tails of the tomb would soon be open to re-
oeive that dear girl on whom l had lavished
So much affection. thought of the sad hour
when l had seen her little heart beating,
breaking in wild emotions, as the soft bosom
of the silver lake is sometimes moved and
ruttied by the passing winds.
Not one year before. in that very room, the
child who lay suffering had been wounded
in spirit by the careless remark of school
mr. q ohTl
and found her in tears. l asked her tenderly
and affectionately what troubled her, but her
heart was too full too give utterance to sim
gle word. She left the room, and fastened
to her chamber, and gave vent to sobs which
she could not suppress. Calling up her moth
er, l enquired the cause of this deep grief
manifested by our daughter, and felt anxious
to lind out the person that had insulted my
child. Imagine my feelings when my wife
informed me that the occasion of her grief
was caused by playmate telling her that
she had a drunken father. l felt as though
l should have fallen upon the floor. 1t was
me who did that act. While engaged in this
reyerie, heard, for the first time since the
accident, weak and tremulous voice pro-
nounce the name of Father, the first dis
tinct name which she had uttered. l went
Immediately to her bedside, and she asked
me to take her hand, as she could not see me;
she wished to feel the warm pressure of the
hand. Oh what language poured forth
from those pure lips. They seemed to be
touched as with live coal from off the altar,
and the sweet, tremulous, silver words were
such as an angel might express, ''Father, l
feel that must die there is a terrible pres
sure on my brain. | fell down and hurt nv
head today. | am sick, father, but l am not
afraid to die. Father, when go away to the
spirit land, will you not think of me often p
Father, don't drink any more from the intox-
icating cup If you do, you will be left all
alone, with no one to love you, for mother
will die, and very soon, too, if you persist in
drinking, and what will become of dear Will
lie and sweet little Harry Her mind began
to wander, and she seemed to be converting
with dear little sister who had gone before
her as a messenger bird, to the spirit land.
She repeated a verse which she had learned
"rhst sister is angel now,
h T. -.