Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1858-09-09
INHERITED PECULIARITIEs.

INHERITED PECULIARITIES.
In one of the New England States
know 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 a very faith
full copy of his parents
The boy is natural drunkard From
his birthday to the present moment, he has
given all the outward indications of being
deeply drunk; and yet, so far as I know
Or think probable, he has never tasted a
drop of ardent liquor in his life, Though
in good sound health, he has never been
able to walk without staggering. His head
is always on his breast; and his speech is
of that peculiar character, which marks
person in very low stage of intoxication.
If nevertheless, in the midst of his mutter-
ings and reelings something is said to him
in way to pass through the thick atmos-
trate his mind, he at once rouses, like
common tipler, and gives proof enough,
that he is not wanting in native talents,
however his mental faculties are enshroud-
ed. His disposition, also, seems to be ex-
tremely 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 lamentablc condition, regarded with
uncommon interest. He is looked upon
as a star of no mean magnitude, obscured
and almost blotted out by the mist in which
he is doomed to dwell, until he shall have
passed from the present state Of existence
to another.
Now as I understand the laws Of heredi-
tary descent, there is nothing unnatural in
this boy case. Every individual ever born
is governed by the same principle which
caused him to be what he is. Prior to
marriage his father had been a secret but
confirmed inebriate, and when the fact be-
came known to the gentle and sweet spirited
? being who but a few months before had be.
come his wife, the revelation was made
suddenly, and in way the most impres
sive and appalling. One night, when he
was supposed to be the most unimpeachablt
of husbands, he staggered home, broke
through The door of his sleeping apartment
. and fell down on the floor, in state 0
wretched inebriation. For weeks he wal
lowed in misery. During the next six o
, seven months, seeing his domestic reputa
Q ton had been forfeited, he kept up almos
acontinuous scene of intoxication. Whel
f at the end of this period, it was told hin
] that he was the " husband Of mother,
! he reeled and staggered on without mucl
: abatement Months passed away; bu
: there occurred no change in the habits Q
@ the poor inebriate 1t was at once dlscov
}. cred, however, that there was somethin
! singular in the appearance of that chilC
4 When it was three months old, there bega
to be strange speculations regarding
d among the people At the age of 81
7 months, these speculations had settled dow
n into very general opinion, but not wor
J. was said to the disconsolatc woman WI
e had also begun to have her own foreboding
" At last, as she was one evening lOokln
h upon her child, and wondering what coul
,r be the reason of its strange conduct, tt
re terrible idea flashed upon her soul" NJ
N child is a natural drunkardw- shrieke
f. aloud; and her husband who happened
a be within hearing, came to her, She te
w upon his neck, and exclaimed, Dear hu
Sc band, our little George is born "a 81
II could proceed no further, but swooned avs
of in her husbands arms.
IN From that hour the father OF the bt
1e never tasted a drop of spirits. The slg
a of his eyes and the heavings of his heal
be entirely cured him of his habits. He 81
at domlooks upon his unfortunate little Geor
ut without shedding tear over that sin whl'
4 entailed upon him life of obscurlty al
-. wretchedness. He has lived, rejoice
,os add. so as to redeem his character he
in now the father of Eve children, all of who
RI are bright, beautiful and lovely, exec
ing only the one whose destiny was tn
IN, blasted.
Of This principle of inheriting traits
IDS characteristics, is susceptible of an ind
to mite number of illustrations. 1t has beco
a proverb, and is sustained by all hist'
,ur and observation, the offspring of libidin'