The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-03-14
First and Last Visit to the Dram Shop.

dustrious mechanic of New York, who
was burthen to himself, curse to his
family, and nuisance to society at large :;
! In short one of the most shameless and
abandoned drunkards that ever took the
measure of an unmade grave in Gotham
gutter. He was not weaned from his
degrading propensity by the Temperance,
or the Tract, or any other society Their
logic was labor lost on Tim, who would
have uncorked the bottle amidst the
| quackiUgs and thunder of Mount Sinai
and drained it by the crater of exploding
Vesuyius
! 1t was woman's love that cured him,
and all women may get just idea of their
Importance in society from his story.
Though he had wife and FIVE bcauti
full children, Tim seemed to be un.
conscious of the fact. He neglected his
work, squandered his earnings, which
daily grew smaller, and spent his time at
the pot house, till the nigh prostraton of
all his faculties, or the distasteful words
mo more trust !" warned him to seek the
shelter of his wife's care and protection.
His children could not 60 to school be-
cause learning was dear and rum was
cheap; the landlord dunned for his rent,
aud Mrs. Truesdel was obliged to keep in
the house because she had no dress fit to
appear abroad in, having pawned the last
to pay the last fine imposed on her spouse
by the Police Court. Misery, utter
destitution, aud famine, stared the un-
happy family in the face. 1t is impossible
to exagerate the piture, even had we
room and inclination.
Mrs. T, was heroine, though not of
romance. She loved her worthless hus
band, and had borne his neglect, tears of
her children, the gripe of famine, and the
railing of the drunkard, without repin
ing. Never had her exertions sackened;
never had harsh word passed her lips
At night when she had put her children
to sleep, she wept and watched for his
coming, and when he did come drunk as
usual, she undressed and assisted him to
bed without murmur or reproach. At
last, her courage well nigh exhausted, she
resolved upon one last desperate effort.
At night, having disposed of her three
eldest children, she took her two youngest
by the hand and bent her steps to the
groggery her husband was accustomed to
frequent. She looked in at the window,
and there he sat. in the midst of his boon
companions, with his pipe in his mouth
and his glass in his hand He was
evidently excited, though not yet drunk.
Great was the astonishment Of that lad
company. and enormous Mr. Truesdell's
dismay and confusion, when his wife. pale
as marble and leading two tattered and
barefooted babes, stepped up to the bar,
called for three glasses of brandy toddy,
and then sat down by his side.
what brings you here, Mary p said he
morosely.
1T is very lonesome at home, and your
business seldom allows you to be there
replied the meek wife There is no com
pany like yours, and as you cannot come
to me, [ must to you. | have right to
share your pleaurcs as we'll as your sor-
rows
But to come to such place as this
expostulated Tim.
NO place can be improper where my
husband is said poor Mary. Whom
God hath joined together let no man put
asunder!! She took up the glass of
alchohol.
Surely you are not going to drink that?'
asked Tin in huge astoDishment.
why not ? Y You say that you drink
to forget sorrw, and if brandy has that
effect, | am sure 10 living creature has so
good an excuse for drinking as L. BE
sides, have not eaten a mouthful to day,
and | really need something to support
my strength.
Woman woman you are not going to
give the children such stuff as that =
cried Tim, as she handed each of the
children glass of liquor.
why not 2 Can children have bet
ter example than their fathers? Is not
what is good for him good for them also
1t will put them to sleep, and they will
forget that they are cold and hungry
Drink my children /; this is fire, and bed,
and food, and clothing. Drink you can
see how much good it does your father.
With seeming reluctance, Mary suffer
ed her husband to conduct her home, and
that night he prayed long and fervently,
which he had not done before for four
years.
The next evening as, O miracle he
returned homeward with as teady step,
he saw his oldest boy run into the house,
and heard him exclaim, % mother here
comes fathers and he is not drunk = Tears
coursed down the penitept's check, and,
from that hour, he has rot tasted strong
drink. He had never been vicious or
unieeling, and as soon as his emancipa-
tiou from the thralldom of debasing ap.
petite became known, friends, employ-
ment aud prosperity returned to him As
for Mrs Truesdell she is the happiest of
women, and never thinks without pride
Of her Grst aud last visit to the dram