The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-05-11
snimes, Last vice.

Since ohilIiSS quit drinking he has de-
veloped a passion for gambling. II
seems utterly impossible for him to free
himself from all immoral practices. Had
he not at least one controlling sin he
would be perfectly miserable. He would
not consent to- become saint for five
dollars dav and expenses paid. II he
had to take hischoice between being a
preacher at $4,000 year and pirate
for what he could make, he would i'm
mediately begin fitting out vessel and
loading it with boarding pixies and cut,
lasses.
When he overcomes one bad habit he
mopes around gloomy and discontented
until be gets into the clutches of anoth-
er; and the neB master finds him will.
ling and Cheerful slave e--one whom it is
hard to sbakaf Pom his allegiance
Lately he has given himself up Wholly
to gambling. He keeps very late hours,
for which he tries to satisfy his wife by
pleading "club," "lodge' and business.
The good woman is inclined to believe
him, and she is strengthened in her be-
lief by expressions which fall from bis
lips during his troubled slumbers.
One night he raised up in bed, brought
the back of his hand violently on his
wife's face, ,and shouted, "I've got club
flush!" AS Miranda arose and washed
the blood from her nose,she thus argued
with herself:
GA flush must be some kind of an
honor which the club beslows on wor.
thy member. Lycurgus is dreaming that
| it has been conferred on him, and l will
not disturb him, though lie did nearly
break my nose"
Another night he tumbled about and
uttered strange things. Finally his wife
caught the expression, "I'li 60 another
dollar on that"
"There," said she, che thinks he's al
the lodge, and that they are taking up q
contribution to assist some destitute
family. Lycurgus is generous man.
ard won't be outdone in matters of char
ity. He never turns deaf ear to the
walls of the unfortunate. Dear, good
man; since he quit drinking he hasn't a
single fault" and filed with emotion al
the remembrance of his many virtues,
she turned and imprinted loving and
reverential kiss upon her husband $
cheek.
"I'll take that pot in! - he said, raking
his finger. nails across har face
"Ahp' said Miranda, she imagines
they are at the house of the poor family
with some supplies, and he is offering to
take in some cooking utensil"
On still another night. he cried out
"Let's have blindr k
HE is dreaming about putting up
blinds to the windows, which | suggest
ed the other day." thought the coniding
woman.
"Pve got ace high" murmured Sniff
hes.
"He's got sigh-wonder what he
means bythat2 ?" said Miranda, reflect.
lively
"rll have to raise that!' soid the
sleeper, presently.
ssNow he thinks he has made wrong
entry on his books and will have to erase
it; and probably his other remark haG
reference to cipher, instead Of sigh
Well pleased with her ability to reaG
her husbands thoughts, the innocen
wife went to sleep, and Sniffies' subse
quent rawlings interested her no more.
If Miranda sees this article her conf
dence in Lycurgus' probity of character
may experience something of shock
hut we advise her to make no fuss abou
it. There are other sins worse than
gambling, into which her husband may
fall, if she crowds him too close. H,
has tried all the lesser ones, and if fore
ed from this. he will turn his attention
to highway robbery. In this case it il
well enough to let bad enough alone :
EEchaage.