The Press., 1888-06-14
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
rconducted by the W. c. T. U.l
ONE MORE.

ONE MORE.
 "Betsey." said my friend L., as she laid down The Union Signal of March l, from which she had been reading aloud to me the Confession of the Opium Slave" 'Bet- sey, you ought to send Mrs. - 8 story to The Union Signal. She IS the only person I have ever known that has con quered the habit of opium eating" and she looked at me inquiringly. My answer was Singular enough, she IS the only one of my opium-slave acquaintances (and the list is away up into fggersO that Gan say, By the help of God, I am free !! "
 I called upon Mrs. -, showed her Mrs. Haven's article, and asked if I might tell her story.
 "Yes," she replied, 70 yes It may do some poor soul good, but for my children,s s sake, do not wish my name published. :" I asked myself what should call her, and myself answered, "There have been war riors who, at cost of far less heroism than she has displayed, have won for them selves surnames commemorative of thelr great deeds, so call her Mrs. Victor"
 Mrs. Victor was born ill a southern city, and the place of her birth has been the home of her childhood, maidenhood, wife hood, and thus far of her widowhood. For many years she supposed herself hap oily married. Her husband, a pleasing, competent man, was engaged in an honor- able, lucrative business. Their home was large, well-furnished house, which was Mrs. Victor's by right of inheritance. She moved in good society, had large circle interesting children.
 About the time of the breaking out of the late war, Mrs. Victor's health failed. A spinal difficulty made her life torture. To relieve the paroxysms of pain her phy- sician prescribed opium. 1t was some time before Mrs. Victor suspected that, ln taking the opium, she would bring upon herself something far worse than the pain it quieted. When at length she became alarmed, and spoke to her physician of her fears, he laughed at her forebodings, as suring her that when her spinal trouble was gone she would have no desire for opium.
 A new trial came, an inflammation of the eyes, and when it passed away one eye was left sightless. A physician thought he could restore the sight Mrs. Victor submitted to an operation. It was unsuc cessful, and the fearful physical agony en- dured for the next three months from that eye, precluded all objections to the doses of opium daily administered to her. Al the end of the three months it was deemed necessary to remove the eye from its sock: ct. Financial endorsements came, and with them the knowledge that her husband had forgotten his marriage VOWS. And now the inexplicable part of her story comes. Wearied with the importunities of her husband, hoping against hope trusting without foundation, she placed herself completely in the power of hel faithless husband, by selling the house, tc which she had the sole right, and giving into his possession the money received fol it, that he might use it in his business He took the money and their children, anc leaving her alone and destitute, departed for another city. Christian friends came to Mrs. Victor's assistance, and her chil dren were given back to her, and for then all, except the baby, she found homes ir different families. For awhile she strng gled on, trying to support herself anc baby. But she was too completely in the power of opium to succeed, and with heI