The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-01-25
A Singular Mania.

There has been going the rounds Of
the newspapers the story of "a periodical
drunkard who would get drunk every
sixty days, and who, though offered
large sums of money, could not possibly
refrain for sixty-five days. This has led
TO the relation Of another singular case,
that of Captain Sneden, who lives not
far from Hartford, Conn, hut whose
vessel sails from Portland, Maine. He
was never able to spend a single hour in
Portland without drinking, and after he
had taken the first glass, he was never
sober until he went 70 sea. He had a
noble wife and three beautiful daughters,
of all of whom be was very proud, rs
well he might be. From the moment
that his ship left port he never allowed
"a glass Of gr0g 20 pass bis lips until he
again set foot in Portland. But the con-
vivial attractions aud associations Of
that TEN perauce city were too much for
the Captains powers of resistance, and
eventually he would be carried home IN
"a state 90 uruukea stgPor, from which
be would awaken only TO plunge into
fresh dissipation, which would continue
until 10 was time for him TO sail once
more. At last, after a debauch of unu-
sual excess, on going 20 sea he vowed 10
his family that the next time he would
come home sober, or he would not come
at all. He was gone eight months, and
had been totally abstiuent the whole
time. During all this time his thoughts
were continually upon his family and
the Joy of meeting them this time sober
As he ueared Portland bis agitation be-
came intense. He had now no idea that
this time he should drink, but became
terribly anxious to reach his family and
convince their loving hearts that his az
fectiOn for them was sufficient to over
come his appetite. He landed, buttoned
his OvercOat to his chin in his excess of
resolution, reported to the owners,
walked deliberately 20 the nearest rum
shop, and in two hours was stupidity
drunk again. An unseen, ineXplicable,
yet irresistible power carried him, IN
spite of all his good resolutions, TO the
fatal resorts. He went to a low hotel,
and buried himself from his friends,
and did nothing but drink, thoroughly
determined not TO 90 home at all this
trip. But love hunted him out; his
wife got him home and Strengthened
him out for another voyage. His next
two returns were but repetitinns of the
one described. His family were in de-
spair. 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 iOdg-
ings near the wharf, overlooking the
harDor, and the moment his vessel was
sighted she took "a sailboat aud went
down the harbor 20 meet him. Never
was help more needed. His struggles
had effected mental and physical ex-
haustiOu, rendering him completely
helpless. He embraced his noble daugh-
ter almost Historically, but warned her
I that if she did not watch him closely
I he should run away from her. But love
/ had keen eyes, as well as devotion. She
I finally landed this great, strong captain,
who had braved scores of storms, safely
/ iu his home. The same method was
pursued I'm his succeeding returns, and
] once, on making the harbOr in the early
I dawn, he anchored until daylight dis
covered Co his daughter his presence.
/ To this day this strong man, TO whom
| the perils of wind or wave bring 80 fear,
I dares not set foot on shore without that
daughters hand clasped tightly in his.