The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-03-04

Rs. lived in my neighborhood.
The family consisted of the
man, his vile and On only
daughter, named Grace. The husband
and father was mechanic in COM
Portable circumstances, always kind
and afiectionate to his family save
when on periodical spree. These
debauones occurred at least once q
year, and their duration seldom ex-
tended over fortnight; but during
that time the mans very nature
seemed changed, and he became for
the time perfect demoniac. The
wife and child, which in his sober
periods, we're the objects OF his love
and solicitu6s, became the objects of
his hate and rage. Not content with
using abusive language, he often, in
the delirium Of drinks broke and de-
stroyed the household furniture and
did not hesitate to cruelty beat both
vile and chIld, At such times his
family could only escape his cruelties
by seeking refuge with the neighbors
until the paroxysm was oyer. As the
girl grew into Womanheod these Pc
riodical debauches became less
frequent and finally, as if the father.
gained wisdom with age, ceased
entirely, and there was rot a happier
family in the ward tran Rs.
''The girl, at this time about IL
years OF age, and of q somewhat deli
cate constitution, was beautiful
beyond description, possessing that
pale, spiritual beauty, so often seen
in paintings and go seldom seen in
life, which is beyond The power OF
tongue TO fully describe.
"After a time / noticed a young
man OF my acquaintance, named
Ralph D.. often in her company.
At the little Gocials, balls, sleighing
parties and excursions, he was ever at
her side. A handsome, Vivacious
talented young man, the son OF we'll
! TODD parents, be was employed in one
OF the largest business houses In the
city and possessed the confidence and
esteem of his employ There was
something, however, IN the young
mans face which indicated weakness
of character and, as | often met him
on excursion, bathing and fishing
parties composed entirely OF males.
soon discovered the weak point. He
was gradually acquiring q love for
intoxicating drinks. OF q VoIatile
temperament, he was naturally witty
and attractive, and his friends and
associates, to enjoy the full flow OF
wit and repartee, would insist on hls
taking stimulants. The progress
downward Was slow but sure. Al
first the only chance noticeable was
heightened, brighter sparkling OF
the eye, greater briiliancy in con-
versaIion. Shortly after these iudics-
tIons changed to a flushed face,
slight, almost PR ceptabie thickness
| ofspeech, an oeoRsionAi stsgger in
his gait, Sn approach 10 boisserCds
merrimeut ia conversation. and
rapidly increasing occurrence ofsuch
exhibitions of inebriety whilst IN the
company OF ladies.
Zone day while at Lake Point, on
a bathing excursion, | overheard
Grace, who l now understood was
his finance. expostuIating With him
on the subject and urging him to alb
stain from drink. He treated her
with S. eat haSteur. rudely replying
to her remonstrs c., By saying !
am only enjoying mytelf; ether men
! do the same without lear of fault
finding by their friends. II yeu think
| disgrace you by ia king an occasional
social glass when out for pleasure, you
will do we'll to con6ne yourself to tie
society OF those who are more straight
faced than lam. He than swung
round 90 ais heel il an abrupt
manner and walked Of in che direc-
ton ofthe beach. Grace sank dowu
on a seat near by and claspiug her
hands sobbed as il her heart would
Sresk.
i could easily comprehend the
Cause OF the young girls agony. she
had given Ralph her heart with all il
boundIess wealth of love. She saR
him taking the first downward step,
to ruin, and remembering the old
agouizing scenes at home, had
esssYed to stop him in the doWnwara
road, trusting to the love which ehe
measured by her own tender, ovsr
poWeringsffection, to read her motives
Alright, and had met with rude re-
pulse, which had shocked her sensi-
tive nature au6iiispelled the bright
visions oflove's young dream
During the remainder OF the day,
Grace wandered back and forth in s
diecoDsolate manner, yainly STRIVING
to hide under fflmsy vail OF assumed
, gsyety her great sorrow which was
! all too plainly visible in her face and
actions. Ralph, as if in sheer defiance
of his young sweetheart, drank t.
excess and became so boisterous il
, his demesnor as to cause his friends
= to make remarks about MS Eudenes'
] and strive 10 avoid his society. Or
the road homeHard be paid no atten
ton whatever to Grace who sought 6
8 seat in an obscure corner OF the ca
! and on arriving at the depot in sht
r city joined some OF her lady friend
? and, otherwise unattended, reached
ner home.
2 II had hopes that toe estrsnge
, mept would be permanent; that tn