The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-05-15


with him. So keenly, indeed, did he feel
this aversion that he made several attempts
TO break himself of his habit, and at last 20
lar succeeded that he would frequently keep
sober tor fortnight or three weeks tOgetl e.
And then again would come over him the
irresistible temptation to return to his old
habit, and in it he would indulge for nearly
:he same space of time he had remained
sober.
He possessed another noteworthy feature
frequently to be detected in these occasional
drunkards, that when sober a more amiabIe
or gentlemanly man it would have been
difficult to meet with, or a greater rufian
and blackguard when in a drunken fit. His
Violence would then, however, be restrained
by his paraSitical friends, so that he was
seldom allowed to make himself publicly OBJ
noxious, or at any rate not to greater ex-
tent than to call down on him the courteous
remonstrances Of the police.
Although the city of X-was my head
quarters in Italy, | was frequently obliged
to leave it on matters of business for three
weeks to a month at time. On my return
after one of these absences Smith paid me a
visit. He appeared in much better health
than usual, and in good spirits. Moreover,
there was remarkable change in his dress,
which, although it could hardly have been
called slovenly, had generally in it an affect
ed air of careessneSs, as if he were totally
Indifferent to what others thought of his ap-
pearance. lie was now, on the contrary,
remarkably well dressed, in excellent taste,
and his clothes it was easy to perceive had
been made by an expert tailor. After con-
versing together on Indifferent subjects for
some little time he said to me:
81 have at last determined to break my
self of my unfortunate habit, and have no
doubt l shall succeed
81 am glad to hear you have come to that
conclusion" | replied. "You may depend
upon it it will contribute greatly to your
happiness; but it is no use having come to
the conclusion if you do not resolutely abide
by it. You must remember how often you
have already come to the same decision on
the subject and never had the constancy to
keep it.''
My dear fellow be said, ''the present
case is quite different. / have now 4 stimu-
q
long story short, have fallen desperately in
love, and am going to be married. | am
sure you will admit that, whatever my fail
ings may have been during my bachelor
hood, things will be very different with me
married man."
Il congratulate you on your determine
ton, and sincerely hope you will keep it,
/ said. "Aud now tell me who is the young
lady?"
Smith told me she was of a highly respect
able family. the daughter of a widow, and
that she was very pretty and amiable girl,
very intelligent, and would no doubt make
| him an excellent wife. They had applied for
dispensation from the Pope for Catholic
to marry Protestant, and hoped it would
soon arrive, and Immediately afterwards they
were to be united. In fact, he hoped in the
course of a fortnight all would be over, and
that he would be married man.
The next day Smith introduced me to his
future bride, who was about as fine a speci-
men of Italian beauty, of the Leonardo da
| NIncl school, as | ever saw. must say that
as | gazed on the poor girl | did not look on
her future prospects without some misgiV-
ings. The marriage had been concocted no
doubt by her friends from the worldly ad-
| vantages n union with so wealthy man
would bring with it, rather than out of any
| consideration for the poor girls happiness.
| Should Smith, after his marriage again re-
turn to his drunken habits, what life would
| she lead-if, in fact, she could live under the
! treatment she might possibly then receive.
! The affair was, however concluded, and all
! interference on my part would have been
useless, so remained silent on the subject.
The dispcnsation at last arrived brill
liant marriage took place in one of the prin-
cipal churches of the city; and, the cere-
mony over, Smith started on a wedding trip
for Venice. About week afterwards
left X for Rome, where | remained
without receiving any intelligence of the
bride or bridegroom for more than three
months. then returned to Y, and
made inquiries of a mutual friend respect
| ing Smith, how he had conducted himself
during my absence.
ooh, it's all over with him. he re-
! piled g lie behaved very well for the first
| five weeks, when his old habit broke out
again. and he committed more than one
terrible assault on his wife. Her family
were at last obliged to interfere, and they
were separated. She has returned to her
mother and they are now living in Turin
and Smith has been informed by the police
that if in any manner he attempts to inter
fere with her or annoy her he will be arrest
ed"
now called on Smith in his new abode
and found him at home. His appearance
was very different from what it had been at
the time left him. lie was then in good
health and spirits but now, on the contrary,
he appeared low-spirited and miserable.
Pretending had heard nothing, inquired
after his wife. For some moments he made
no reply, and then. the tears starting to his
eyes, he said to me
- Nv dear fellow it's no use my conceal