The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-10-21
The Natural Drunlkard-A Sad
Story.

The Natural Drunkard-A saO
Story.
In one Of the New England States, says
a writer, know a lad, now about twelve or
thirteen years of age, whose condition is a
most remarkable demonstration Of the natu.
raj law, that, in every case, the child is q
very faithful copy of his parents The boy
is natural drunksrd. 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 proba-
bic, he has never swallowed drop Of ar
dent spirits in his life. Though in good
sound health, he has never been able to
walk without staggering. His head is al
ways upon his breast; and his speech is oil
that peculiar character which marks per.
son in very low stage of intoxication. H.
nevertheless, in the midst of his mutterings
and reelings something is said to him in
way to pass through the thick atmosphere OF
his intellectual being, and penetrate his
mind, he at once rouses, like common tip
pier, and gives proof enough that he is not
wanting in native talents, however his men
tai faculties are enshrouded. His disposi.
ton, also, seems to be extremely amiable.
He is kind to every one around him, and, l
may add, he is not only pitied for his misfor'
tune, but in spite of his lamentable condi-
ton, regarded with uncommon interest. He
is looked upon as a star of no mean magni-
tude, obscured and almost blotted out by the
mist in which he is doomed to dwell, till he
shall poss from the present state ofexistence
to another.
Now, as / understand the law OF heredita-
ry descent, there is nothing unnatural in this
boys case. Every individual ever born, if
governed by the same principle which caus'
ed him to be what he is. Prior to marriage
his father had been a secret but confirmed
: inebriate, and when the fact became known
to the gentle and sweet spirited being, who
7 n few months before, had become his wife
I the revelation was made suddenly, and in I
e way the most impressive and appalling
One night, when he was supposed to be tn
most unimpeachable Of husbands, he stag
gered home, broke through the door Of hi
sleeping apartment, and fell down on tb
floor in state OF wretched inebriation. Fo
!, weeks he wallowed in misery. During tn
:, next six or seven months, seeing his domes
! tic reputation had been forfeited, he kept u
! almost continuous scene of intoxicntion
When at the end of this period, it was tol
him that he was ssthe husband of mother,
he reeled and staggered on without muc
abatement. Months passed away; but ther
n occurred no change in the habits OF the pot
. inebriate. It was at once discovered, how
=. ever, that there was something singular
=, the appearance of the child. When it wi
- three months old, there began to be stran!
~ speculations respecting it among the pc
!; pie. At the age of six months, these spec
;, lations had settled down into very gener
-. opinion, but not word was said to the di
~ consulate woman, who had also begun
M
have her own forebodings. At last, as s
ho was one evening looking upon her chi
j.. and wondering what could be the reason
=. ~ its strange conduct, the terrible idea flash
20 20 upon her soul, "My child is natural drum
-: ~ ard !" She shrieked aloud; and her husbal
70 who happened to be within hearing, came
~ her. She fell upon his neck, and exclaim
.s "Dear husband, our little George is born
b;s -. She could proceed no further,
NJ swooned away in her husbands arms.
49, From that hour the father of the boy nj
N. er tasted drop of spirits. The sight Of
eyes and heuvings Of his heart entirely cul
10, him of his habit. He seldom looks upon
al unfortunate little George without sheddI
IL, tear over that sin which entailed upon h
h;s life Of obscurity and wretchedness.
md has lived, Irejoice to add, 80 as to rede
in his character; and he is now the father
h;s FIVE children, all of whom are bright,
nm beautiful, and lovely, excepting only
,or one whose destiny was thus blasted.