Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-02-01
srlerteil sflisrcllanp.
INHERITED pEcuuiRrrIEs.---A SAD STORY /.

In one Of the New England States
know lad, now about twelve or thirteen
years of age, whose condition Is most
| remarkable demonstration OF the natural
law, that IN every case, the child is a
very faithful copy of his parents.
The boy IS natural dr3ukard. From
ms birthday to the present moment, be
has given all the outward indications of
being deeply drunk: and yet so far as |
know, or think 1t probable, he has never
swallowed drop of ardent spirits in his
life. Although in good sound health, he
has never been able to walk without stag
gering. His head is always upon his
breast; and his speech IS Of that peculiar
character which marks a person in
very low state Of Intoxication. If never
theiess, IN the midst OF his mutterings
and reelings, something IS said 10 him IN
way 10 pass through the thick atmos-
phere Of has Intellectual being, and pene-
trate his mind, he at once rouses, like
common tipplers, and gives proof enough
that he IS not wanting IN native talent,
however his mental faculties are en-
shrouded. His disposition, also, seems
10 be extremely amiaUle. Il is kind TO
every one around him; and | may add,
he ls not only Pitied for his misfortune,
but IN spite of his lamentab!e condition,
regarded with uncommon interest He
IS looked upon as star Of no mean mag
ultu4e, obscuted and almost bloted out
by the INST il which he Is doomed to
dwell, all he snail pass from the present
stale o. existence tc another.
NOw, as | understand the law OF her
edItary descent, there IS nothing unnatu-
raj Ia the boys case. Every individual
ever born Is governed BY The same prln-
cIple which caused him 20 be what he 10
Prlor 10 marriage, his father had been a
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 MS bride. the
revelation was made suddenly, and in
way the most impressive and appalling
One night, when he was supposed 10 be
the most uhlmpeaca. Ole OF husbands. he
staggered home, broke through the door
Of his sleeping apartment, aud fell down
upon the floor IN state OF wretched IA
ebrlaIOn. For weeks he wal,OWed III
misery. During the next SIX or seven
months, seeing that bis domestic repua-
non had been forfeited, be kept Up al
most a continuous scene OF inloxicauon.
When al the end OF this period, Il WAS
told hIm that he was " the husband OF a
mother" be reeled and staggered on
without much abatement. Mouths passed,
away, luI there occurred no change IN
the habits Of the poor inebriate. 1t was
1t once discovered. however, that there
was something singular In the appearance
Of the child. When it was three months
Old, there began TO be strange specula-
lions respecting il among the people
At the age of SIX months, these specula-
tions had settled down INTO a very gener-
al opinion, but not a word was said to
the dlsconsolate woman, who had also be-
gun TO have her own forebodiugs. Al
last. as she was one evening looking up
on her child. and wondering what could
BE the reason Of rs strange conduct, the
terrible idea flashed upon her soul My
child IS a natural druuIard :" She shrieked
aloud, and her husband who happened
10 be within hearing, came to her. She
fell upon his neck, and exclaimed Dear
husband. our ut,le George 5 born a."
She could proceed no further, bu: swoOu-
81 away in her husi auu's arms.
From that hour the father of the boy
never tasted a drop OF spirits. The sight
of his eyes and the heavIDgs Of his heart
entirely cured him of his habit. He sel-
dom looks upon his unfortunate little
George without shedding a tear over
that sIl which entailed upon him a life
of obsturity and wretchednesS. He has
lived, l rejoice % say, s. as 10 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 lnheriuDr traits and
characteristics, however. Is susceptible of
an indefinite number of illustrations. Il
has become 4 proverb, ana Il IS sustained
by all history and observation, that the
offspring OF hbldlnOus connections are
uniformly marked as a strong tendency
70 improper passions, while The subse-
quent children Of the same parenJage,
where thorough repentance has taken
place, are n general vlriuous.
WINS TO WEAR INDIA RUBBERs.-
We have noticed that many persons wear
in3ia Rutber uyer>aoes in cold, dry woa-
t-Sl' ~ N't / --i~4t -SEt NNt4Ai' --'' =
an !ujudlc.els and evil pra@llce. India
rubber shoes are very comfortable and
convenient Tor covering The feet during
<rt ana sloppy weather, but they never
should lie worn on any other OCCASION;
their sole use should be to keep out the
water. They should. therefore be taken
oil whenever the wearer enters the house,
and Re worn rs liule As possible, because
they are alc-agat, and restrain tile per
spirauOn q tAe tee,. The ar canuo, b.
excluded from them. or anv portion of
the body, for any length of une. without
sensibly affecting the health Il IS our
opinion that no habit tends more 10 good
health than clean feet, and dry stockings.