Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-18
NUMBER 40.
The Force of Habit.

correspondent oil The Cincinnati ln-
quirer speaks of sea captain, who sailed
from this city, but who lived about four
miles out oil town on stage line. He
was never able to spend a single hour in
Portland without drinking, and after he
had taken the first glass was never sober
until he again went TO sea. He had
noble wife and three beautiful daughters,
of all of whom he was very proud, as
we'll be might be. To his family when
sober. he was thoroughly devoted, and
they repaid his fondness with extreme
devotion.
The old captain was the soul of honor
at all times, and. with the exception OF
his drinking habits, he was 10 every way
strictly upright, and especially capable
of ships command. From the moment
that his ship left the port. he never al
lowed glass Of grog to pass his lips
until he again set foot in Portland. But
tho convivial attractions and associations
of this temperance city were too much
for the captains powers Of resistance,
and eventually he would be carried home
in state of drunken stupor. from which
be would awaken only to plunge into
fresh dissipation, which would continue
until it was time for him to sail once
more. II was a terrible trial TO his fami-
| ly, and source Of bitter modification 10
bis daughters. that their fond hearted
father should be the subject of such scan
dsl among the gossiping neighbors.-
Every Influence that love and affection
could prompt was thrown around him 10
counteract bis weakness.
At last, after a debauch Of unusual ex-
cess. .on going to sea he vowed to his farni-
ly tn at the next time be would come home
sober or he would not come at all. He
was gone eight months. and had been
totally abstinent the whole time. During
all this time his thoughts were continual
ly upon his family and The JOY of meeting
them-this time sober. As he neared
Portland his agitation became intense.
| de had now no idea that this time he
should drink, but became terribly anxious
to reach his family and convince their
loving hearts that bis affections for them
was sufficient to overcome his appetite.
He landed, buttoned his overcost 10 his
chin in his excess OF resolution. reported
to the owner, walked deliberately to the
nearest rum shop. and in two hours was
stupidity drunk again. An unseen, mex
plicable. yet, irresistible power carried
him, in spite Of all his good resolutions,
TO the fatal resorts. He went TO low
hotel and buried himself from bis friends
and did nothing bat drink, thoroughly
de termined not TO 60 home at all this
trip. But love hunted him out; his vile
got him home and Strengthened him out
for another voyage.
His next two returns were but repeti'
tions OF the one described. His family
were in despair. His wife fell Ill, and
his Oldest daughter determined that the
next time love should not be defeated.
When his ship was nearly due she took
lodgings near the wharf. overlooking the
harbor, and the moment his vessel was
sighted, she took sailbost and went
down the harbor 10 meet him. Never
was help more needed. His struggles
had effected q mental and physical ex-
haustlon rendering him completely help
less. He embraced his noble daughter
Historically, but warned her that il she
did not watch him closely he should run
awsy from her. But love had keen eyes
as we'll as devotion. She finally landed
this great strong captain, who had braved
scores of storms safely in his home. The
same method was pursued in bis succeed
ing returns, and once on making the
harbor in the early dawn. he anchored
until daylight discovered to his daughter
his presence. To this day, this strong
man, to whom The perils OF wind and
wave bring no fear, dares not set loot on
shore without that daughters hand
clasped tightly in his. When one is
thoroughly addicted TO intemperate hab-
its, alcohol singly is more powerful than
the combined influence of love, ambition.
|