Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-05-11

ing near sundown, | was on fire with
the drunkard's thirst. The consuming
heat seemed to reach and scorch up
every fibre Of body and soul. | gasp
ed for drink; prayed for it; cursed
God that | could not get it, heaping
the tiercest, vilest abuse upon my wife
because she could not furnish me.
'Snatching my hat | staggered to
the door, when my wife whispered my
name. hesitated, and impressed by
some irresistible influence turned to
where she was lying upon the bed.
God forgive me! [ can see her pale
sad face now.
Jenny laid her hand upon my arm,
as gently as a falling leaf, yet in
spite of my ill-temper she drew me
down to her and kissed me tenderly
again and again. as she whispered my
name. There were tears on her
checks, and her eyes had the very look
of heaven, so soft and forgiving.'
will you not hurry and call Dr..
Hildrcth, Halbert p
Honestly before God, | thought to
do so, and weeping like child, | hur-
ried to the village.
George Roth ifyou know anything
of this hot, devilish burning of the
drunkard's appetite-its remorseless
craving-heaven pity you. All the
dreams of earth and heaven arc dust
in the balance against it. Wealth,
friends, loved ones, body and soul are
but ashes in its consuming heat. ID
gndaos here noa0," yelled Morris as he
sprang from his seat and struck his
clenched hands upon his bosom, and
| walk and sleep on the verge of an
open, burning, consuming hell !
But for the hells at every corner OF
the streets, continued Morris, thou
sands Of men would die sober, who
are now tempted to their death.
In turning up the street where DR..
Hildreth lived, | had to pass a place
of popular resort, known as the May.
flower The lights, like the lights OF
hell fell around my feet, and glowed
on my face. At the same moment
the door opened, and the scent of the
flowing liquors awakened my thirst
to fever heat.
4 did not mean to get drunk, Roth
but thought would 90 quietly in, take
drink and leave on my GRAND
Fool that | was | remember NJ
more until the next day i'll the after
noon. when awoke on a pile of straw
in back building. But it was a ter
rible awakening. for the wrong | haC
done bIrst upon me with nameles
horror
Was Jenny alive? The cold drop
of perspiration seemed to burst from
every pore, Notwithstanding the cold
as | hurried unsteadily towards tn
Bluffs. Iopened the door gently, wit
a fearful sickness at the heart, for n
smoke curled from the pipe in the roo
The snow lay thickly on the roug
hearth, and in ridges across the floor
1t was several moments before dare
to look upon the bed calling my wife
name gently several times as | trie
% busy myself about the dcsolat
room
Il could not resist was draw
+ towards the bed. The face, thoue
strangely ghaStly, wore so sweet
smile. that | was deceived, the partia
, ly closed eyes appearing much as
J. had seen them before in her poor turn
Guilty, trembling, and inward!y wis
:; ing for death, stopped and kisse
u the parted lips.
e The agony of that long night c;
have no language, George Roth.
4 went mad--litcrally mad-and fl
several days begged little deIicaci
d of old friends for sick Jenny
Is The neighhOrs finally ascertain
5; the state of the case. Jenny and t
Il little waif in her frozen arms we
Il kindly buried, and myself watch
over by a Good Samaritan. Oft
n over that grave, winter and summer
call on God to help me abs ain frc
IL all that can intoxicate. A thOusaI
le times | have wished were by t
20 side OF that injured wife. And |,
VI er long-for the time when the gre
arms o f mother earth shall kline
lie wrap me to slumber and to rest, a
T. | be safe from this ever gnawing apI
y tite, and the lures of class of m
a. !. who rob the helpless wife and childr
IL and kill body and soul.'-IViscons
re Chief.