Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-07-24
How a Woman Saved Her Husband
From Drink.


contains a remarkable temperance
document written by a wife and en-
titled How Saved My Husband"
The husband was an able, prosper
Gus young business man who began
to neglect his wife and children and
spend his leisure time drinking
particularly at the club. This went
on for a number of years and gradu-
ally the man began to lose his busi-
ness grip and self-respect. Younger
men were placed above him in his
business and he was slowly but GER
tainly going down hill. Finally at
half past 1 o'clock one morning his
wife confronted him when he came
home and told him frankly that she
no longer loved him and that she
positively despised him. She told
him calmly that she had prepared a
room for him across the hall from
her and that he could no longer eX-
pect to share the home with her.
From this point the story goes on as
follows:
"The next three days are yet night
mares of horror in my memory.
Philip left the house before break
fast; he came in late at night and
went Immediately to his own room ;
he was not in for single meal.
saw him only once during the time
met him on the piazza as he was
going out in the morning. He looked
ashen and haggard-eyed. 1t was all
could do not to throw my arms
about his neck, tell him, in spite of
all, loved him, loved him; beg for
even my old, dishonored place in his
heart. But resolutely l crucified my
yearning-having staked all, must l
not stand the hazard of the die?
There was no sleep those nights
for me. Had l lost? What was
Philip doing? Was he drinking in
stead of eating. l almost screamed
at the sound of the doorbell or the
telephone. l was dry-eyed, but such
a physical weight sat on my chest
that often l gasped for breath. l
realized the feminine truism, that no
matter what rascal, cad, criminal
a husband has proven, it is only him
at his best that a wife can see lost.
However faulty 1 held my mind to
Philips failure, my heart mourned
it's bridegroom lover and refused to
be comforted. The children added to
my anguish by their insistent in
quiries about their father.
"Those days seemed years. Was
my life to be like this?
"On the fourth day l answered a
telephone call.
Is this Mrs. Austin?' l assented
feebly, all a-tremble. This is HS,gs-
dale at the office. Don't be alarmed
but your husband has had a slight
fainting attack. No, nothing serious
the doctor says. Just the heat,
suspect; he hasn't seemed himself
for several days. Dr. Murphy and
are bringing him home
"All day l sat by my husband; he
dozed heavily, and occasionally NUT
tered words could not catch. Once
l thought it was my own name. II
was nearing night when he aroused
You there, Rachel?' he mur-
INJURED. For answer l took his hand
in both mine and held it close, silent
ly. There was a pause before he
spoke again; his voice was weak. 4
| remember now-I keeled over in my
office. To tell you the truth, I've
neither eaten nor slept the last three
days. l feel like I've been beaten to
a pulp. I've been finding out that
you are right about my friends and
and the drinks. Please God, Wife,
it's face-the-other-way for me from
this day on, and if you'll stick to me
I'll win back your respect and love.
l was on my knees, my arms about
him.
You have them already, Philip
both!' l cried wildly, while the de-
MED tears swept me away on such a
tide as you would never have dream
ed one small woman could shed
The tears on my husbands cheek are
sacred memories.
That was three years ago. Today
Philip has his partnership, his self
respect, and the truest love of his
wife and children.
He has since told me that it took
up to that very point Of physical ex-
haustion to fasten his guilt upon
him; that had ! weakened he was
prepared to make itup' handsomely
and go on his way. True, my reason
and my body alike nearly snapped
under the strain, but what wife will
say the price was not we'll paid?"
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