Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-06-10
ssl IT Misrellang.
Don't Marry a Man to Save Him.

Don't Marry Man to Save Him.
In these days of degeneracv on the
part of our youth, while so many
young men are going to ruin through
habits OF intemperance and kindred
vices, it behooves us to sound the note
OF warning in the ears of the fair sex.
Very often the alternative of either
marrying man who is addicted to
vice or the propsct of old maidenhood,
is presented to the fair girl in society;
she must accept the one or stand the
chance of the other. Now if marry
ing were Il mere business transaction,
the matter might be much more readi-
ly disposed of; bat, unfortunately,
hearts are concerned in the affair.
The girl loves the man, notwith-
standing his propensity, and is ready
to accept him, trusting to his love for
her to overcome everything after tney
are married. Never was there sadder
mistake; for in nine cases out Of ten
If man does not reform for his loved
ones sake before married, he never
will after; and any girl who marries
a man who drinks OF CANDLES may con-
slider her fate sealed by the act.
"But, says some one, "what am l
to do: If | reject my lover on these
grounds he will drink harder and
harder until he fills a drunkard's s
grave" This may be true; but'better
far better, tnat he only ruin himself
than that he bring wife and perhaps
innocent little children down to the
depths of poverty and misery.
Oh, girls, take warning, and trust
no man who drinks! For if he has
not the manhood to give up the habit
for your sake he is not worth having
and your whole future life may be
embittered by an alliance with him
If the persuasions ola sweetheart will
not win, the chances are that the
prayers and tears Of wife will be of
no avail to save a man from ruin.
Let me tell a short story whose warn
ing, though often heard, is seldom
needed.
A sweet, loving girl became attach
ed to very promising young man; he
was geod-looking, came of a highly re-
spectacle family, and was prosperous
in business; but, alas! he was fond of
drink. Frequently when he called
upon his betrothsd his hand was
unsteady and the bright eye dimmed.
One night he came very much intox-
icated, and caused great sorrow to his
dear one and all the family by his con-
duct.
The next time they met Clara gent.
ly reproved rfm, and he promised 70
cease drinking. For a while he kept
his promise, but he was tempted and
fell; again he promised, and Clara
trusted him.
The time was drawing near for the
wedding, and the parents were very
much olst sed for the welfare OF
their only daughter; they tried to
persuade her not to marry Louis until
he reformed entirely; but Clara said
that alter they were once married and
home influence thrown around him, he
would be different. Trustingly she
gave herself into the care of a man
who loved his glass more than he low
cd his sweet bride.
For time he did we'll. The wife's
heart beat high with hope; but in a
fatal moment he yielded to temptation
and the first cloud fell on their peace
ful home. Gradually he became
worse and worse, until he returned
home more or less intoxicated every
night. The prayers and rleadings OF
his wife fell on a deaf ear, and the
kind husband became brutal and
wicked, In three years the demons
work was accomplished, and Clara
was left a widow, her husband filling
Il suicides grave, her whole life blight
ed and ,uiIe1.
Once more | would say to all who
are contemplating matrimony: Test
we'll your intended husband, and if he
loves anything too much to resign it
for your sake, refuse him although
your heart may ache; and if he is
worthy of you be will prove it by re-
forming from vice. Warerly Aaga-
zine.
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