Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-06-17
Inherited PeculiaritieS.---A Sad Story.

In one of the New England States !
know lad, now about twelve or thirteen
years of age, whose condition is a most
remarkable demonstration of the natural
law, that, in every case, the child is very
faithful copy of his parents.
The boy is natural drunkard. From
his birth day to the present moment, he
has given all tie outward indications of
being deeply drunk, and yet, so far as
know, or think it probable, he has never
swallowed a drop of ardent spirits in his
life. Though in good health, he has
never been able to walk without stagger-
ing.
His head is always upon his breast ;
and his speech is of that peculiar charac-
ter which marks a person in a very low
stage of intoxication. If nevertheless,
IN the midst of his mutterings and feelings
something is said to him in way to pass
through the thick atmosphere of his in
tellectual being, and penetrate his mind,
ne at once rouses, like a common tippler,
and gives proof enough that he is not
wanting in native talents, however his
mental faculties are enshrouded. His
disposition, also, seems to be extremely
amiable. He is kind to every one around
him and / may add, he is not only pit.
led for his misfortune, but in spite of his
lamentable condition, regarded with un.
common interest. He is looked upon a.
a star of no mean magnitude, obscured
and almost blotted out by the mist II
which he is doomed to dwell, till he sbal
pass from the present state Of existenc,
to another.
Now as l understand the law Of he
reditary decent, there is nothing unnatu
raj in this boys case. Every individua
ever born is governed by the same prin.
ciple, which caused them to be what h,
is. Prior to the marriage, his father ha,
been a secret but confirmed inebriate
and when the fact became known to th,
gentle and sweet spirited being, who, bu
few months before, had became his wife
the revelation was made suddenly, ani
in way the most impressive and appall
ing. One night, when he was supposei
to be the most unimpeachable Of bus
bands, be staggered home, broke through
the door of his sleeping apartment ani
fell down on the floor in a state Of wretch
ed inebriation. For weeks be wallowel
in misery. During the next six or sevei
months, seeing his domestic reputatio
had been forfeited, be kept up almost
continuous scene Of intoxication. Whe
at the end of this period, il was told hin
he was the husband Of a mother b
reeled and staggered on without muc
abatement Months passed away bu
there occurred no change 10 the habits {
the poor inebriate. Il was at once dis
covered, however, that there was some
/ thing singular in the appearance Of ia
child. When il was three months Oh
j. there began TO be strange speculations n
: speeting it among the people. Al th
0 age Of six months, these specuiations la
a settled down into very general opiniol
! but no, a word was said 10 the diseons,
: late woman, who bad also begun 70 has
f her own forebOdings. Al last, as she vi
D one evening looking upon Der child, an
wondering what could be tae reason
# its strange eonduct, the terrible ids
9 flashed upon her soul--% My child Is
y natural drnnkaFd {" She shrieke8 aioa