Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-09-01
da antsrl':stilla. GaIe.
THE NElY ! EARS GIFT.
wRirTES. FOR TIE OHIO FARMER, BY lRs.
...Ef =. FRANCES D. GAGE. rs-e.e---

One OF the boarders Of the "Hotel du
Commune" which was ..our own hired
house" during our sojourn ON the island Of
ST. Domingo, was we'll educated English
man. or rather Hsyten, born Of English
parents. who had received coiiegiste
course in Eng land aad France-had travel
ed Almost The world over, and returned 70
shstisland to spend his days. (wiiat remain
ed of them) in The saddest and most wretch
ed msaner possible. This gentleman, Of
polished and courtly manners, was con.
firmed'drunkard. For several days after
our entrance at the hotel, we observed th al
at each meal time, plate of food was pre-
pared at the table and carried away, and
ahst frequently the servants returned. max
ing demands, as il some ones wants were
unsupplied.
We often noticed that smile of derision
psssed over the features Of the landlord and
his Spanish guests, who understood al! that
was said; and by-and-by it became wonder
Tor whom those viands were prepared. We
used also to hear snatches of songs. across
the court, on the other side OF the building,
and occasionally see dark locking face
peering through the heavy ironed blinds.
which, like-the door of prison shut out all
light, when closed, from the thick walled
rooms. -
All these things somewhat excited our
curiosity. We were, of course, ignorant of
the facts related above at that time One
evening, my good landlady, who could no,
speak word of English, beckoned me to
come into the reception room of The hotel
large. long safoon-at one end of which
she and her children were sitting, in the
brilliant moonlight. near the balcony. Il
complied with her requst, and gathered up
her little cherub daughter in my vrns. who
was as guiltless of clothing as the cupid on
a book bill. (except pair of gold ear-rihgs,)
and was talking my Yankee baby talk. when
happened to say, in kind OF half sulilo-
guy. MS she laughed and crowed upon my
knee
.Oh. wish you could understand me,
you lntle darling"
"She will soon learn" said q voice at my
tlbow; and looking up, described the
strange face that We had SO often seen at
the window, which we were about making
np cur minds belonged luna,c. and that
the closed room was his CELL But here he \
etood. well dressed gentleman, talking my
native language. OF course, we soon fell
into chat.
1t was not long however, before | discov-
erred that he as in'oxica,ed; and as soon
ss civi.iiy would allow reireated, leaving
him talking in The middle of the room with
great vehemence, in Spanish, to Spanish
gentleman. / noticed fha: he made frequent
calls at The bar. aEd each time grew more
iyud and boisterous Late at night heard
-lse same voice, laughing. Shouting and
singing; but the next morning. the safne
demand came for his breakfast, the same
PaIid face peering through the window, and
Ebegan 10 suspect, what aiterward | found
WIS a tact. tligt be " as d uretched inylri.
Ete,, that drank every eight Till he was help
less. and remained utl day in the shade of
his room. o,'ly, cpniing out at. evening to
reduce himself again TO the same bestiai
state. a.. :. 5a
a'k few evenings after, he ventured into
ipe Psrler, and touk his seat on the sofa,
,sear my brother and myself, and commenced
a conversation, which soon chained me TO
the spot by lis intense interest. well
Eead man, and trhve er, his brain scem"d
sstorehouse of facts. which he reuted with
graphic power. Something, ] know not
,shht; led him tn speak of his family history
This father ald brother. and last OF all, his
mother; ther. iwretch as he was he trem
oied, and the great tears started from his
eyes and rolled down his cheeks. Among
the many anecdotes be related, was the fol-
lowing:
."Yuu see before you, )" said he ,"tbe wreck
OF. man. For months, have no: been
SOBER try-i resolve-I swear, even, by
ths memory oi ny sainted mother, tha,
will never drink another drop; hut. madam,
j, was born crub my father was, If
possible. worse than |. at the time of my
birth; and in the days of my boyhood, in-
sstead of shame, it was credit to msn
TO be drunkard. anc to glory in his
own madness. Twas born on New Years
day; and on the eve Of the anniversary of
my fifteenth birth day, my father said to my
mother
'''Eugeue, what shall bring you to-
morrow, as azbirth-day gif1!'
81 want noihingl said my mother, sadly 1.
"'Ah. my Eugene, you are unhappy -
You know howl love you--6et,er to day
iban when led. you TO the alter, wenty
years ego. Tel tle, love, what will make
you happy; AMI swear to you, though it