Page:Drunken husband, or, The fatal effects of drunkenness.pdf/3

 very comfortably with her huſband, as he was ſober, and loved home, but then the was brought to bed of her firſt child, and having an offer to be wet-nurſe in a family, who reſided in that village during the ſummer ſeaſon, ſhe was tempted, for the ſake of the great wages which were proffered, to put her own child out, leave her husband, and go to town for the winter; but ſhe had reaſon enough to repent it, for her own poor little dear died, and her huſband, having no companion at home, was 'drawn away by Tom Briggs, learnt of him to drink, and had, from that time, no pleaſure any where but in an alehouſe. She added, that he had talked to him enough about it, ſo the had no blame to lay to her own charge.

Perhaps, ſaid the lady, you have talked to him too much. It is a very impolitic thing, and indeed a very improper one, for a woman to take upon her to reclaim her husband from any fault by ſcolding or teazing. The only likely way to ſucceed is by good- humour and gentleneſs, few men will bear to be reprimanded by thoſe whom they think they have a right to govern: however, Mary, ſaid the lady, it is too late to talk to you of what you ought to have done ſo many years ago; but pray tell me what meaſures you purſue with your huſband now. She replied, that ſhe let him goon in his own way, for ſhe might as well drive a mule as drive him.