Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1879-02-15
The Drunkard's Death.


the door step faint and ILL., The premature
decay of vice aud prohigacy had worn him 70
the bone. His cheeks were hollow and livid ;
his eyes were snnken. and thei1 sight was dim.
His Ices trembled beneath his weight, and
cold shiver ran through every limb. And now
the long forgotten scenes OF misspent I've
crowded thick and fast upon him. He thought
of the. time when he had a home-a happy,
cheerful homeland Of those who peoplec II,
and fiocked about him then, rntil the forms OF
his elder children seemed TO rise from the grave
and stand about him-so plain. so clear and 50
distinct they were, that be could touch ana
feel chem. Looks that he had long forgotten
were fixed upon him once more voices long
since hushed in death sounded in his ears like
the music of village bells But it was only
for an instant ! The rain beat heavily upon
him and cold and hunger were gnawlng at
bis heart again. lie rose, and dragged his
fe, bic limbs few PAGES further. The street
was silent and empty the few passengers who
passed by. at that late hour, hurried quickly
on and his tremulous voice was los, 10 the
violence of the storm Again that heavy chill
struck through his frame, and his blood SEEM
ed to stagnate beneath It, lie coiled himself
up in projecting door way, and tried to sleep:
But sleep had fled from his dull and glazed
eyes His mind wandered strangely. but he
was awake end conscious. The well known
sh Il, of drunken mirth sounded in his ear, the
glass was at his lips, the board was covered
with choice rich food-they were before him ;
he could see,them all, he had but TO reach out
mis- hand and take them-and, though the il
lusion was reality itself, he knew that he was
sitting alone in the deserted street, watching
the rau-drops as they nattercd onfhe stones !;
;hat-death was coming upon him ey Inches
and that there were none 10 care for or to help
him. Suddenly be started up IN the extremity
of terror. He heard his own'voce shouting
in the ninLteair. he knew not what or Why
/ Hark A erOan another Ills senses were
leaving him; half formed aud inccberent
words burst from his lips and his hands
| sought 70 tear and lacerate his flesh. lie was
going mad and be shreked for help till bis
voice failed him.
| lie raised bis head aud looked up the long
dismal street. lie recollectcd that ontcasts
ike himself, condemned TO wander day aud
oiobt in those dreadful streets, had sometimes
! conc distracted with their own louliness. He
/ remembered 70 have heard many years teiore
! that homeless wretch had once been found
! In a solitary corner sharpening rusty kniie
/ 10 plunge into his own heart preierring death
/ 10 that endless, weary wandering 10 aud iro.-
/ In An instant his resolve was taken, bis limbs
received new life; he ran quickly from the
snot and pauscd not for breath until he reached
the river side. lie crept softly down the steep
stone stairs that led from the commencement
Of Waterloo bridge down TO the waters level.
He crouched into a corner, md held his breath
as the natrol pqssed. Never did prisoner S
heart throb with the hope Of liberty and life
half SO eagerly as did that Of the wretched man
4, the prospect of death. The watch passed
close 10 him, but he remained unobserved
and after waiting til the sound OF footsteps
had died away in the distance, be cautiously
descended and stood beneath the gloomy arch
that forms the landing place from the river.
The tide was in, and the water flowed at hi'
feet. The rain had ceased, the wind was lull-
ed and all was, for the moment, still and quie'
so quiet that the slightest sound on The
opposite bank, even the ripping OF the water
against the barges that were moored there
was distinctly audible 10 his ear. The stream
stole languidly aud sluggishly on. Strange
nnO- ldUiasllC tuINS IbrS ~ 'itN 'i'''''NNf -
bectoned him to approach; dark cleaning
ewes peered from the water, and seemed t'
mock bis hesitation, while hollow mutmur
from behind. urged him onward. He retreaiec
few PAGES, took short ruu, desperate leaI
and plunged into the water.
Not Eve seconds bad passed when he ros'
10 the waters surface-but what change haC
taken place in that short time 10 all BIZ
thoughts aud feelings Life-liie-in any
form. poverty. misery, starvalion--anythinl
but death. Re fought and struggled with th'
water that closed over his head, and screamed
in acopies Of terror. The curse Of bis owr
son rang in bis ears The sbore--but one foo
Of dry grornd-he could almost touch The
step One hands breadth nearer, and be wa
saved-but the tide bore him onward, undel
the dark arches Of the bridge. and be sunk t'
the bottom. again he rose and struggled iol
life. For one instant. for one brief instant
the buildings on the river banks, tie lights OF
the bridge through which the current hac
borne him. the black water, and the fast lying
clouds. were distinctly yisible-once more h'
sunk. and once again he rose. Bright iiamei
Of Ere shot up from earth to heaven and reelec
before his eyes. while the Tater thundered u
his ears. and stunned him with its furious roar
A week afterwards the body was washef
ashore. some miles down the river, swollen
and disfenred mass Unrecognized and IN.
pltied. it was borne to the grave and there y
has long since mouldered sway.--Dichens.