The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-01-29
MISCELLANY Y.
For THE RECORD.
II DRUNKARD'S DREAM;
OR
CHA LES Exams, row.
BY A GOOD TEMPLAR.

Near the village of s., in this State, there
resided family consisting of a man, his wife
and one child These we will call Charles
Evans, his wife Cora, and their infant son,
aged one year, whom they called Charlie, after
his father. Charles Evans was a man respect
ed by all who knew him. He was kind and
generous, of an amiable disposition, naturally
free-hearted, and upright and just in his deal
ings with his fellow-men. His wife (whom
he had married about two years previous to
the opening of our story was indeed model
woman, one of whom any man might well be
proud She had early in life joined the NJ. L.
Church in the village, and had endeavored to
live an upright and Christian life. Mr.. Evans
mostly spent his evenings at home,- in the
enjoyment of his family, for he was a kind
father and a loving husband. Only when some
errand called him to the village would he be
absent from his family in the evening, and
then he always returned home early. His
Sundays also We're spent at home. He usually
kept the child while its mother attended the
village church.
This was the character of Charles Evans at
the time we introduce him to your readers,
early in the spring of 1S--. His home was a
paradise, his wife happy and content, with her
little boy capering and growing around her.
Everything looked cheerful and prosperous
around him; and here we will leave Charles
Evans and his family for the present and look
in upon other scenes.
In the village tavern, seated around low
table ION which was an old and much worn
set of dominoes), were three men, and by their
low conversation we would judge they were
brooding evil to some one for after conversing
thus privately for some time, one of them said
aloud, eyes, that is our PLAZA debating
school-and then all is easy enough, for he
will swallow the bait eagerly. We must do
it, for have sworn to be revenged on Cora
Evans. She shall yet rue the day she married
Charles Evans" The man who spoke was
evidently ina passion, for as if to give force
to his words he brought his cenched fist down
on the table with a bang. He was a rough
character, shabby and repulsive in appearance,
and an inveterate drinker. His companions
were of the same class, and well versed in all
kinds of villainy These were known by the
names of Duke, Shorty and Captain links
The last-named was the one on whom they
looked as a kind of leader and was the one
who had sworn to be revenged.
just here, / suppose the reader would like
to know what Cora Evans had ever done to
this unprincipled man to incur his dispeasure.
This man had at one time asked of her her
hand in marriage. She had Indignantly re-
fused to hear him, telling him he was not
worthy Of any woman's love, and that she was
the affianced bride of Charles Evans, a re-
spectacle and sober man. He left her, taking
again to strong drink, and swore he would
be revenged. Accordingly, we find him form
ing hellish plot against Charles Evans, that
his poor wife's heart.
Now let us again look in upon the once
happy home of Charles Evans. How changed
the-scen His young wife looks pale and
haggard; his little son, once his pride, is al
most naked everything around his home looks
forlorn. And how sudden the change Only
one short year since peace and happiness
reigned in that household and the mention
of just one word will explain the whole
Drink - Yes, the accursed cup has done
it ALL Some of your readers will, perhaps,
say that the half that is said on this subject is
not true This circumstance is only one of
the many which is being daily enacted around
us. 1t transpired in this State. Yes, and in
this county, and we cannot shut our eyes to
the truth. But am leaving the subject of
my story.
AS great as was the change in Charles Evans
household, he was himself as greatly changed,
for instead of spending his evenings at home,
we find him constant visitor at the tavern
and the gaming table. And this change did
not take place in day nor a week, but las in
all such cases. there was starting point. No
one ever plunged headlong into the very depths
of intemperance, but from the first glass they
gradually sink lower and lower, till at last
they become confirmed drunkards. Young
men, beware of the first glass
The starting point with Mr. Evans was at