The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1872-03-05
Our Drunken Bridegroom.
BY PRESIDENT ruTrLE.


were on the Pacific Express, and rode
smoothly and swiftly. The prairies
were in their most attractive dless.
People talk about the beauty of the
lUld prairies, but Ionce saw these vely
ones when they were Wild but how IN.
ferior 10 the same acres covered with
corn and meadows, the greenness of
which is in fine contrast with yellow
wheat and oat fields visible in every
direction 1t was a delightful scene,
aud we felt satisfied with it.
Our train contained the usual assort- |
ment of people, rough and gentle, old
and young, intelligent aud not 50 very
intelligent. But for one fact these
commonplace statements would not
have been made. Two seats forward
of us were two young people and a
glance showed that they were "the in
evitable newly married couple" which,
as often said, never fails to adorn eve
ry train. The wife seemed too young
for such positiun, seventeen years
old, or at most eighteen. She was
dressed very neatly, and her bearing
was becoming. You felt at once that
such an one must have been an impor
tant member of her home, the very
one for her father to fondle and
brother to be proud Of To such a
place the young girl can find only one
superior, her own home where shall
preside a husband worthy of her. For
such home she had so [ thought rs
we rode along given up that in which
she had dwell since she was born.
What venture she runs who makes
such an exchange!
The young husband was asleep in
the seat before her, and | noticed that
she had to exhibit the tickets. he
had them in his pocket, but she had
TO get them. This was suspicious
circumstance. Ills face was red, and
when he awoke, his eyes heavy-so |
hoped with sleep. And vet | feared
the hope was not we'll founded. The
poor girl's face wnre an expression OF
anxiety and modification. 1t is true
her husband was well dressed, aud
that he had on his left little. finger IL
plain gold ring which matshed with IA
similar one ON her left fore finger.
But it seemed to me very plain that
the fact OF marriage, the good clothes
) and the plain rings did not make the
} young husband appear t. any greater
advantage, nor his young wife to ap
, pear any less anxious. Meanwhile our
magnificent train sped swiftly through
those acres.
D After while the young man gotup,
took from the lunch basket something
0 and in spite Of her gentle appeal ven
: into the forward car. suppose it was
u flask that he took, but whatever II
, was it did nothing to make the wife
i cheerful, or his face less red. Ina lit
l tie while he was back and seated with
his wife. 1t was distressing to see the
0 two, he drunk as lord" she think
: ing-I guess-of what she had lefi
aud what Il fate must De in store fol
: her. He was maudln, silly, and un
controllahle. Could she only have PM
= him to sleep again, and SO cover VI
the disgrace, she had felt less satisfied
but-in his own opinion--he was
smart, and grand, husband to b,
4 proud of! and his wife ought to b,
t proud of him! His own wide mouth
;. laughter seemed to himself amiahle
8 and his foolish inc oherences also. Nrv
n he ate, and now he laughed, now ht
f rep0sed on her shoulder, and thence
e staggered to the water-lank for drink
Y and there was no concealing it. Th'
d young girl, his wife, just on her wa,
r, TO his hnme, on the first day met thi
d fict, that her husband lnved drink $,
J.. we'll that even the fasciuations of th'
If young bride whem he had taken t
e the altar, could not restrain his appe
C tite.
}, And that was what we saw tha
3 morn .ug as we rode in the "Paciii'
e Expess' on the sc. b. d @. II. r.,
d that July morning when the prairie
Z, of Illinois were in their most gorgeuu
Ie apparel. Aud | wondered what woul'
20 be the feelings of the father aud broth
IS er Of the bride could they see what "
m did.
II do not hatter myself that thes
N words will warn any trusting girl no
he 20 trust lover who tipples, but fee
n- better for describing this new phase q
as the meanness Of habit that ha
,e bIighted So much that is lovely and a
$, good report. Approach it from whicl
" way you will, By II seatfold or "a brlda
n chamber, by bier or marriage altar
Il. and the habit is in all cases mean
Is with no compensation. A little fello'
an not far from me blacked boots for pee
u pie in the street to get money To pa
I'd his mothers rent, and the father stol
r. that money aad with it made himseI
re instantly drunk. In the same place
st woman supported her family by dali
IA work ut the wash tub and ironing IS
n bile. In this way she oblaiued brea
as even for Il lazy husband. One day thei
- a. l.