The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-03-03
NEWS.
Eriday, MARCH 8, 1s7I.
DISSIPATION AND ITS RESULTS.
CnIcAeo. Feb. Is. ISL.

CHICAGO, Feb. ID, 1871.
DEAR News KNOWING that you
have many classes of readers to interest,
and that these wonderful stories found
in the daily papers have become so
sterotyped and so seldom believed by
the majority of your readers, 1 ven
ture the recital of case which has fall
en- partly under my own observation.
Not long since was invited by friend,
experienced in caring for the poor, to
visit a family living on Faust avenue.
Suffice it to say, L found the mother in
the first stage of consumption and bur-
dened with the care and support of five
children, and more than widowed, as
her husband roams the streets drunk
en- vagabond, seldom coming home ex-
cept to abuse the woman who was once
the idol of his heart.
During frequent visits since, have
learned her sad story, and haye made
sufficient inquiry to substantiate all 1
have heard.
Twenty-Five years ago there lived
within the charmed precincts of Glas-
gov, beautiful girl, educated to the
standard of the times, and surrounded
by all the Iuxuries wealth could bestow.
Her father, British officer, took her to
London, where under the supervision
of a relative her education received its
finishing touches, and she entered socie-
ty with apparently happy life before
her. She soon after married talented
young lawyer from BrOckens, South
Wales. Several years passed amid the
gay scenes in London, when he was
sent on important business to Canada,
his young wife accompanied him. Dur
ing this visit he first yielded to the
temptation which scattered his wealth
and ruined his usefulness. Several Wis
its were made to the United States,
where money was freely spent in travel
and all kinds of dissipation. He prac-
ticed law in some of our largest cities,
and was always successful as long as he
could control his appetite for drink
For some time he was collector of the
Niagara district, and was finally ap'
pointed auditor of the American eX-
press company in this city. He was re-
peatedly discharged and reinstated on
the promise of reform. When discharg
ed the last time and given a less impor
tant situation, he felt the disgrace sc
skeenly that he deserted his family anC
entered the army, where he became
more dissipated; and since that time h'
has only contributed twelve dollars
toward the support of his family, some
81, Il o1F 10 OF ,
time.
How could his wife, delicate woman
untitled by foolish education, anC
with but little knowledge of American
life, support the children? just here
comes the strongest part of her story
While living in London, near one of the
largest fur establishments, (after theiI
repeated misfortunes had obliged then
to seek n less fashionable home,) She
watched daily for two years, the opera.
tions of the workmen, never dreaming
that in future years, the knowledge o.
this business would save her from star
walton. The workmen humored hel
odd fancy, and fought her the mysteries
of their work, and with her own deli
cate hands, she laughingly drove many
of the tacks and cut the fur into strips
After her husbands desertion, she
pawned first the family jewels, then ont
thing after another until all was gone
except a few articles which are still il
her possession. Too ignorant to work
and too proud too beg, she suffered
much from poverty, until accident re
vealed her own resources. She made
the first skating cap made in the United
States for Bessie Williams, then thu
belle of Chicago. While sewing the fur
bought at extravanant prices, the ques
ton arose, "Why can not L prepare thi
fur for use?" She found the dealer
obEging; they furnished her patterns
and skins at a reasonable price, and she
succeeded in supporting her family, il
comfort, when not suffering too mucl
from the effects of a foolish education
or drunken husbands blows.
Mothers, 1 appeal to you, what nigh
this woman not have accomplished will
her strength if will, had she been prop
erly educated? She is a christian, blu
is obliged to battle with ignorance ant
physical weakness.
Young men, who love the social gem
of cards and glass now and then, wha
position of influence might this mar
not have occupied, q temperance pledg,
observed, and a firm trust in God?
Yours, &C., DALTA.