Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-02-03
Ormpcranrf.
The Ruined Home.


Drink it, Mabel said an anxious
mother, as she pressed to the unwilling lips of
her little daughter glass Of porter at dinner
The mother sighed, and said, Mabel is
so delicate, and her appetite is so capricious.
| wish she could be persuaded TO take glass
Of wine or porter with her dinner. | am
sure that It would do her good"
Anxious mother, let it hot be matter of
regret TO you that your child turns with
dislike from the glass that YOU feel will
bring life and health. In it are the seeds Of
death.
In pleasant English home, few years
ago, was a daughter who was the light and
music of the household Her bright and
Joyous childhood soon glded into beautiful
womanhood, and her hand was sought in
marriage by one upon whom she layished
all the affection Of her warm, loving heart.
lie was young man of fine mind and ac-
quirements, and the parents felt that TO his
keeping they could commit the future of
their darling.
lie was in receipt Of an excellent appoint
mcnt under the government in India, and
he desired to enter upon his duties without
delay.
The home to which the husband brought
his fair, young bride was indeed a pleasant
one Happy in the love of her husband,
and charmed with the novelty Of life in the
Orient, for a little season all seemed sun
shine; but soon clouds began to dsrken
the brightness Of her sky. She found that
her husband, amiable and indulgent as he had
at first appeared, possessed violent temper,
which was easily reused and when under
the control Of his fierce passions, did not
hesitate TO load her with abuse, even when
the occasion seemed slight.
Accustomed, as she had been, TO an atmos-
phere Of love, she was at first almost over
whelmed, as she contrasted her present with
her past life. Then, as she dwelt on her
husbands conduct, her indignation was
aroused, and to his unreasonable requests
and unjust rebukes angry retorts were re-
turned, which brought her only more violent
abuse and soon from the home which she
had felt would be an Eden, all light and glad
ness were departed
Little ones were given them, but the
sweet babes brought little joy for the mother
was never happy when the father was pres
ent, lest his quickly aroused passion might
be directed toward his little ones, causing
them to quail before his dark looks and harsh
words.
In her youth, at her parents table, she had
been accustomed to take a glass Of wine at
dinner, and in her own home the practice
was continued. Then, as trouble came, and
bodily strength and spirits steadily declined
to revive her dropping strength and spirits,
an additional glass Of wine was taken. Too
proud to pour into the ears Of her fellow
mortals the story of her heart griefs, and
knowing nothing of the rest and help found
in Jesus when he is received into the heart
as guide and comforter, as her life grew
darker more frequent became the demand
for that which for brief season afforded
some relief.
When the husband became fully aware
that his wife had become that most revolt
ing OF all objects, woman ensaved to the
wine-cup drinking even to intemperance,
his anger knew no bounds, and he heaped
upon her the most bitter reproaches, telling
her that through her infamous course she
had brought dishonor not only upon her
husband, but upon her innocent children.
Stung to madness by his reproaches, she
returns the blows struck at her and tells her
husband that at his door lies the guilt of her
ruin and his own darkened life, as well as
the disgrace their children must bear; for it
was to drown the anguish produced by his
constant irritability and nnkindness that she
resorted TO the wine-cup.
Wider grew the gulf between husband
and wife, as the wife turned more and more
eagerly to her cups, and the husband turned
with angry loathing from his Incorporate
companion. At length a day came when
the wife, impelled by fear and shame and
remorse, fled from her husbands home, leay-
ing behind her her children. and all that
she had once held SO dear Lower and
lower from this time she sank, and | last
heard of her as wandering, a wretched out
cast, in the streets Of London. Her husband
still lives, and her children are grown to
manhood and womanhood, but the name Of
wife and mother must not be mentioned.
Iremble, fond mother, as you put into the
hands and press to the lips of your daughter
that which may prove her ruin, not only for
this world, but for that which is to come.
for 1t is written in the Word of God that
drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of
God