| 500 whose stern hearts knew not fear, who, since they had arrived at the age of manhood, had perhaps never wept; yet they could not now prevent the silent tear from occasionally stealing down their sun-burnt [burned] cheeks.
The aged mother, too was there; she who had given him birth; in whose bosom he had nestled in his helpless infancy; she who had fondly watched his childish sports, and who with pride & pleasure, had seen him ripen into manhood, had seen his boyish frame verge into the full formed size of man; "he was the only son of his mother, and she was a widow."
The young, the lovely wife was there-she, who but a few short years before had promised at the altar to love and honor him-who had pledged herself to live with him for better or for worse-through evils as well as through good report, until death alone should part them; she, who was the partner of his joys, the sharer of his sorrows-who had rejoiced with him in his rejoicings, and who had comforted him in his afflictions-she, who, ere the solemn and binding word (from which death alone could release them) had been given; ere the Gordon knot, which naught on earth could loosen, had been tied, had known no sorrow-as though her brow might at any time, have been overcast by a momentary gloom occasioned by some unforseen [unforeseen] event, yet evenescent [evanescent] as the fleeting clouds before the noon day's sun, scarce had it time to cast a shadow ere it was dispelled, and smiles again lit up her countenance;-what must have been her feeling when she compared the present with the past-when she contrasted him lying in an appoplectic [apoplectic] stupor, (the effects of liquor) with what he had been when he swore to protect her, to comfort her, to minister to her joys, to be her steadfast friend, her guard, her guide, her all in all? No one can ever imagine them, except those who have been placed in a similar situation.
In a corner, upon a small bed, locked in each other's arms, and fast asleep, lay his two children; little dreaming how soon they were to be left fatherless, how soon they were to be deprived of a fond and indulgent parent.
George W- was the only child of his parents. His father had at an early day held a respectable station in society he had commenced the world with a small capital. His affairs however, prospered. His business continued to increase; every thing in which he engaged seemed to terminate successfully, until in a few years he would have been placed beyond the reach of want, but alas! how often when we think the prize which we have been contending for is within reach, we are doomed to disappointment. He commenced drinking; first he drank seldom, and little at a time: gradually the habit grew upon him, until the glass became his constant companion; day after day, he resorted to the tavern to steep his senses in the intoxicating bowl, and join with others as degraded as himself in the boisterous laugh that has no mirth in it, the laugh of a madman, for such he had rendered himself-he was a confirmed drunkard; he who had been once so respected and honoured [honored], had sunk himself to a level with the brutes,-despised by those who had formerly courted his favour [favor], he at length fell a victim to intemperance, leaving to his broken hearted wife naught save an infant son. To the education of this dear boy, did the mother devote the greater part of her time; she laboured [labored] to train him up in such a manner, that he might be a blessing to his friends, and an ornament to society; and well was her care rewarded. Dearly loving his mother, and detesting the poison which had rendered her a widow, at an early day he resolved to "touch not, taste not, handle not." He firmly adhered to his resolution, and grew up a sober, honest, and industrious young man; being naturally of a generous and amiable disposition, he endeared himself to a large circle of acquaintances, and had no difficulty in persuading Maria S- a beautiful young creature, to whom he had long been attached, to share with him that name which he had so nobly redeemed from the disgrace entailed on it by his father. Well might the heart of the widowed mother dilate with joy, when she beheld her only, and her darling son, the sole prop and support of her declining years, so much and so justly esteemed by all who knew him; and oh! how earnestly did she pray that he might never deviate from the path of rectitude. Blessed with a fond mother, a wife who idolized him., two sweet children, admiring friends, and an approving conscience, what more could he wish? what desire? He wished, he desired naught else; he had arrived at the summit of earthly happiness. Oh! that we could drop the curtain.
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