The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-08-21
sseeseesesssesssss

rum is not accursed.
"Oh, my dear husband! can you, will
you not be warned by my dying
wordsT
The earnest, besecchiDg tone seemed
10 fasten his attention for a moment
with something very nearly akin 10
partial understanding and sobriety;
but the effect was only momentary.
Promise me, II not for my sake"
the woman pleaded, "at least for the
children's sake, that you will become a
sober man-that you will never again
raise the poison TO your lipsF'
What mean by poison, Susie hic)-
whiskyi9
Yes, husband. whisky-rum; but
more properly poison; that which has
so long been your bane, and the source
OF all our present misery. Swear 10
me, before / die. that you will never,
never taste IL again."
Couldn't think such thing, Susie"
answered GOldwait, with a drunken
lcer Of stupid obstinacy; for the last
drink was beginning 10 manifest Itself
powerfully. Drink when ! want IT.
Good for me. Victuals and drink.
both hic); s'don't say no more bout
IT,, old woman. Drink always, sure's
born"
And suiting the action 10 the word,
the miserable creature again drew the
cork and raised the bottle TO his
parched and swollen lips; but in the
action he lost his equilibrium and fell
heavily to the floor The next moment
he rolled over on his side, and was
soon unconscious; and in this state he
continued up 10 the moment OF his
wife's death, which occurred about
midnight
or course he was somewhat shocked
when he came 10 realizing sense Of
his bereavement, but IL did not last
long, for he drowned in strong drink
whatever sorrow or remorse he was
then capable Of feeling. The neighbors
tidied up the children for the solemn
occasion, and Mrs. Goldwait was In
TERED at the public expense; but the
husband was too drunk to follow his
wifes remains TO their last resting
place, and the children went alone as
chief mourners.
From this hour. If such thing can
be believed possible. Enoch Goldwait
continued TO grow worse and worse
lie sold one article after another OF the
shabby furniture, when he could find
any one unprncipled enough TO pur-
chase, and the meagre sums he OBJ
tanned from time 10 time went Tor
liquor instead Of food FOR his half
starved children. AS the cold autumn
nights approached he sold the very bed
from under them. and lay drunk for n
week while the neglected children slept
on the bare floor and suffered for want
OF the Commoncst nourishment.
Little Ruth had often ga2cd nj the
indistinct outlines Of the great city
only few miles away, and wondered
If there were not food enough for all
there. At length she determined 10
run away with her little sister. Eva,
and seek home In the great city
The father was too drunk To take any
heed of their departure, and so the
houscless little wanderers drifted out
into the great world of which even
the elder knew but little.
IL was past the middle of November
and the nights were chilly.
Tom Newcomb was reading the even
ing paper To his wife. He was thriv-
ing young trader in b, lately mar
ried TO most cstimablc and kind
hearted young lady. 1t was near the
hour Of ten. and while occupied as we
have stated they were aroused by the
plantive sobs Of child.
They opened the street door and
discovered the little wanderers seated
on the steps, scantily clad and shiver-
ing in the bleak night air.
The kind-hearted trader and his wife
took them in, and were much affected
by the sorrowful story Of little Ruth.
The next day she was stricken down
with fever. and week after she was
laid in her little coffin. 1t was the
verdict of sympathizinG friends that
her death was the result OF neglect
and exposure.
The father was sent for. and was
found just recovering from his pro
tracted debauCh. He was in n most
deplorablc condition. both i'm mind and
body. Not solitary article OF furni.
turc. save n broken backed chair. re-
maincd in the hovel. Everything had
gone for rum, and he had kept on
drinking day and night till money and
credit were both exhausted. and then
he was obliged to stop. and in stop.
ping. TO reflect. lie upbraided himself
now as the murderer OF his wife and
child, and was. when too late, thor
oughly humbled and repcntant.
Tom Newcomb was not only strong
advocate OF temperance. but n good
Samaritan. lie took Enoch Goldwait
home, gave him the advantages OF n
bath and shave, and clothed him in n
suitable manner TO attend the funeral.
When Tom Ncwcomb took him into the
room where little Ruth lay in the cot-
fin, he knelt beside 1t, and burst into
tears.
II killed her, he said. as he turned
his haggard face toward the solitary
witness; land killed her mother, too,
heaven forgive mer'
NO." answered Tom. "it was not
YOU; IL was rum. And now | want
you 20 make me solemn promise.
over the dead form Of your child. and
as you hope for mercy in the hereafter,
never TO let the vile poison polute your
lipc more"
IL PROMISE" said Enoch. solemnly,
las hope for salvation; and IL | fail