A dray had passed over his body, whether before death or after is not certain.
Hundreds, nay thousands, of other instances could be cited of the fatal effects of intemperance.
But the evil is not confined to a class. It is widespread, and saps and undermines the moral principle of the working classes of this country to an extent which is almost incalculable.
Bristow furnishes us with a sad example of this pernicious and fatal propensity.
He had become an incorrigible and irreclaimable inebriate.
He returned after a debauch of some hours’ duration to his miserable lodgings at Bradford.
He had spent what little money he had about him. This it was that caused him to leave the pot-house and bend his steps homewards.
As a rule he seldom came back till past midnight.
His industrious little wife, who worked for the trade, was plying her needle and thread when her husband entered.
“What, John!” she ejaculated, in a tone of surprise; “you’re early.”