The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1888-03-07
THE DRUNKARD.
Written by William Avery Wood for
The Lnurcns Advertisers.

81 Edward and Milton Pcarce were
the only sons Of Johnathan Obcdiah
skPearcc, and were both handsome
boys and well educated.
S Edward was just eighteen years
of age, while Milton was almost
seventecn.
# Their father had once been one
of the wcalthiest farmers in Curoli-
ma, but he was now n drunkard. a
perfect sot. There is, / think, no
sinecessity to explain the meaning
of the word "drunkard" for, no
doubt, many of you have witnessed
the misery caused by drinking. In
most cases it is
Tho want of meat, and of bread,
N Which tho drtnkard's wifc must bear:
& Rivers OF tears Sho does Shod,
"a Still, what does the drunkard care.
q Jonathan Pcarce made it rcgu-
II lar practice to return home every
evening, as the old saying has it,
"drunk and still drinking" His
two boys looked on him in dis gust,
while his dear, good wife begged
him, for the sake Of his sons and
4 for his own sake, to cease drink
B ing.
ooh! father, do STOP" she said.-
y "Don't use that poison. Oh, stopw
But to all these plcadings he turn
4 ed deaf ear. and it seemed very
4 much as if he was going to disgrace
and ruin tho whole family. In fact,
his own sons were ashamed Of him.
4 They worked hard and studied
their books ut night, and managed
Il to earn decent living, and, may
xsay, n luxurious one, while their
father was in the "drunkard's dem"
gambling, drinking and swearing.
Won one of these occasions all the
+ family had retired to sleep, but
they were destined to soon he
8 awakened, for about - o'clock the
atwo brothers, who slept up stairs,
. were awakened by their mother
8 screaming and the sound of heavy
9 blows. yhcy both jumped to their
feet and ran rs fast as they could
to their mothers room. Just as
they reached the door Of her apart
ment the blows ceased, and their
4 father spoke - for he WAS beat
ing their mother.
"Now give me that money"
ooh! don't beat me So" Mrs
Pearce said, crying.
"Aint yer goin' 10 git it; chi"
and he again raised his heavy
whip; ho was SO drunk that he al
most fell to the floor.
ooh, helpw cried Mrs. Pcarcc.
The boys could stand it no long
er, but entered ut once and tied
their father, yes, tied their own
father, but it was the only remedy.
They tied him secure, although he
struggled much
And there lay the great, strong man,
Begging, aS all rascals can.
Then Edward spoke and said:
"Father we regret very much to do
this, but we have asked you kind
ly, nay, begged you to change your
couse of life. Milton and I have
done all in our power to do, yes,
more than would be expected OF us.
But, father, we do not intend to
follow yOur course, nor do we in
tend for yOu 70 continue it uny lon
ger"
"Don't your yelled the old man.
"You will soon find out whether
we do or not" and Edward stepped
out OF the room.
He determined to resort to STRAIT
egy, so he procured II large butcher
knife, pail OF water and the best
clothes his father owned and car
ried them and laid them down by
his father, for as / told you Mr.
Pearce was tied SO East that he
could not move hand nor foot.
Mr.. Pearce watched all these pro-
ceedings In amaZement, but said
nothing. Edward then got the Bi-
bic, and himself, mother and broth
er all knelt around the drunken
man--who was getting sober won
derfuily fast. Then Milton pro-
ceeded to read chapter relating
to drunkenness. Still Mr.. Pcarce
said nothing.
"Well," said Edgar picking up
the butcher knife, "father we now
tell you good bye, for we deem IL
expedient to put All end to all
wretches and drunkards, such as
you are" And he welded his
knife above his fathers head.
Then Mr.. Pearco broke forth and
exclaim: ooh! son, would you muir
der your own father? Oh, please
have mercy"
"Well," said Edward col1ly, 1--WE
will give you one more chance. II
you will promise never to touch
whiskey again, and treat mother as
you should, we Will free you, butt
~ will, / promisel" shouted Mr..