The Shasta courier., 1868-05-23
SHASTA COURIER.
THE FATAL DRAUGHT.

requests. Alas u ldEpt Pdte VI L
dntv i 70 comfort the bereaved and help the
living bu-y their dead. But this was
necniiar case. Poor man he looked young,
nrobably not more than thirty five years OF
age He was evidently in humble circum
stances. vet respectable in his person and
demeaDor.
His answer to a few general questions
which it was necessary Tor me To ask
revealed on his part desire to tell me some
of his history. felt it was an act OF benev,
olence to listen to his tale of sorrow and
now repeat it, not because it has a tragic
interest. but with the hope that it may
accomplish some good.
James Jones for so we will in this narra-
tive call him bad been married about a
year. He was industrious, his wife tidy.
both of them affectionate, and very pleasantly
did they live together. James had been
brought up religiously. His mother was a
pious woman, and very careful in training
her children. After marriage, he and his
wife regularly attended divine service upon
the Sabbath day, and frequently during the
week, and became very much interested in
the important subject of religion.
Rut there were demons at the door, and
one by one entered FRAUD, Poverty, Intem
perance, Anger, Death.
One who had profeSsed great friendship
young mechanic had bv industry and econ
omy saved, was torn from him. His position
in business was lost, and he and bis young
wife left penniless. This was both mortify-
ing AMI discouraging.
With weary heart James Jones left his
old place of residence, and came 20 the great
metropolis in quest of work. Comfortable
and respectable apartments were engaged,
and in a few days wife and furniture
brought to take possession of them The
rapacious landlord, thinking he could do
better, had violated his verbal contract, and
let the rooms to otLer parties. This com
PEELED the young codple to take temporary
residence in a tenement house in q wretched
part of the city,
But greatly as they were depressed by
this new trial. they rallied each other, hop
ing for better things, aud tried to be cheer
full.
"Come, Mary" said the husband. "we
are young, and strong, and hearty, and we'll
soon get over these troubles"
The first effort of the young mechanic was
to find work. He was a silver platter by
trade, and although only journeyman, had
often done what he called overwork. The
poisonous solutions used in his business he
usually had in his house, mixed and ready
for when demanded. AS there was no
children or domestics around. he not
afraid of any accident through them and
as for his wife, she knew all about the nature
of these solutions, for she had often seen
him prepare and use them. The very last
time he had perpared one of these solutions,
she ayfully asked him if a draught of the
poison would prove fatal. His reply was
that it certainly would produce very serious
injury, if not death, to any one who should
taste it.
The day following this conversation he
went out again to seek employment Weary
and unsuccessful. he returned in the after.
noon, and to his surprise and modification
found his wife partly intoxicated. How
happens this? They had both been strictly
temperate. They were not accustomed to
drink even the occasional glass How, then,
had this occurred?
The poor wife, although tipsy. was able to
tell the story herself An English woman
in the house had enticed her, and prevailed
on her to drink just mug of beer. Unac-
customed as she was to strong drink this
was enough, it made her tipsy and foolish,
and SO her husband, weary and unsuccess.
ful in his days travel, on his return home
found her.
Mary, how could you be thus intimate
with a stranger, and especially in such
that vile stuff which you knew would do
you no good, and might do you great deal
of injury ?"
So saying, the poor man, overcome with
trouble sat down and buried his face in his
hands.
The wife was very quick tempered. Slim.
ulated by the vile liquor she had lately
imbibed, and enraged with the words of he,
husband, so true and just, she ran to the
closet Quick as lightning she caught hold
of the cup of poison. A click was heard
and looking up, the husband saw his wife
with the empty cup in her hand. She had
drained the contents, and now Looked at him
and wildly exclaimed: There, James Jones
how do you Ike that for change ?"
1t was fatal draught: The husband
fled for physician, but before he returned
his wife was dead. The spark of life had
gone out She was the victim of anger and
intemperance. After telling me this tale o
distress the widowed husband said 'sOh
sir. | am wretched man. Pray for me and
come and speak few kind words at the
funeral of my poor wife"
1t would be but little satisfaction for you
reader, to accompany me to the house of
mourning, and join with few friends in
attending the funeral rites. But there are
lessons of instruction which we will do we'll
to heed and practice.
Who was the murderer Of that Young
woman? The landlord who for trifing
consideration deprived the young couple of
their home the seller. who sold and
drugged liquor which proved so in its con
sequences the stranger who enticed another
from the path of sobriety and safety and
che who, in intoxication and anger. drank
the poison all were guilty-guitv Of yioIat.
ing the sixth commandment -. Thou shalt
not kill
The subject of cause and effect is verv
extensive. Let us see to it, when the great
day of revelation appears and all intricacies
are unraveled, when treacherous memory
has revived, and truth in his variols bear.
ings and dates revealed, that we do not stand
among the throng who, by temptation and
for paltry gain, have brought ruin upon
their neighbor, and destroyed the soul and
body forever.
Observe that one mug of beer proved fatal,
for its immediate effect led to the draught of
poison. 1t was only beer. but one drink of
beer that did the terrible mischief. So in
every case, it is the first glass that accom-
plishes the evil This makes the drunkard.
This often leads the drunkard to the depths
OF crime as well as dissipation. If al would
avoid the one glass what different world