Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-09-09
Inherited Peculiarities..A Sad
Story,

Inherited Peculiarities..A Sad
story.
In one of the New England States l
know a lad, now about twelve or thirteen
years of age, whose condition is most re-
markable demonstration of the natural law
that, in every case, the child is very faith
full copy of the parents.
The boy is natural drunkard. From
his birth day to the present moment, be
has given all the outward indications of be-
ing deeply drunk and yet, so far as know,
or think it probable, he has never swallow
ed drop Of ardent spirits in his life
Though in good, sound health he has
never been able to walk withuot stagger-
ing. His head is always upon his breast
and his speech is of that peculiar character
which marks persons in very low stage
of intoxication. If, nevertheless, in the
midst of his mutterings and reelings, some
thing is said to him in way to pass
through the thick atmosphere of his intel
lectual being. and penetrate his mind he
at once rouses, like a comon tippler, and
gives proof enough that be is not. wanting
in native talents, however his mental fac
lties are enshrouded. His disposition, also
seems to be extremely amiable. He is
kind to every one around him; aud, l may
add, he is not only pitied for his mlsfor-
tune, but in spite of his lamentable condi-
tion, regarded with uncommon interest,"
He is looked upon as star OF no mean
magnitude, obscured and almost blotted
out by the mist in which be is doomed to
dwell, till he shall pass from the present
state of existence to another.
Now. as understand the law of heredi-
tary decent, there is nothing unnatural in
this boys case. Every individual ever
born is governed by the same principle,
which caused them to be what ne is. Pror
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 few moments
before, had become his wife, the revelation
was made suddenly, and in one 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 wretched 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 intox-
icatiou. When, at the end of this period,
it was told him that he was "the husband
of mother" he reeled and staggered on
without abatement. Months passed away;
but there occurred no change in the hab-
its of the poor inebriate. 1t was at once
discovered, however, that there was some
thing singular in the appearance of the
child.
When it was three months old, there be-
gan to be some strange speculations respec-
ting it amoug the people. At the age of
six months, these speculations had settled
down into a very general opinion, but not
a word was said to the disconsolate woman,
who had begun to have her own forebo-
dings. AT last, as she was one evening
looking upon her child, and wondering
what could be the reason of its strange con-
duct. the terrible idea flashed upon her soul
-"My child is natural drunkard!" She
shrieked aloud; and her husband, who
happened to be within hearing, came to
her. She fell upon his neck, and exlaim-
ed, "Dear husband, our little George is
born g. She could proceed no fur
ther, but swooned away in her husbands
arms.
From that hour 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 sell
dom looks upon his unfortunate little boy
without shedding tear over that sin which
entailed upon him life of obscuritv and
wretchedness. He has lived, rejoice 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 destiny was
thus blasted.
This principle of inheriting traits and
characteristics, however, is susceptible OF
of an indefinite number of Illustrations
1t has become proverb, and it is sustain
ed by all history and observation, that the
ihidinous connections are uniformly mark
ed by strong tendency to improper pas
sions, while the subsequent sons AMI daugh-
tiers of the same parentage, where thorough
repentance has taken place, are in general
virtuous.
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