Part 2: The demon drink - Still worried
Saturday 21st August 1897
Arrived home [from a week-long job in Selehurst] to find Dad a bit
“on” again. Having bought a horse during the week, of course [he]
must “wet its head”. [Later that evening], when I got home after 11
p.m. I found a fine state of affairs. Dad very drunk at the Post
work, came up the town very awkwardly and was stopped by the
Police. Quite expect it will come to a summons this time. As Dad
was still at the stables I went down and fetched him up. So
finished my first week [away] from home. Tonight I feel heartily
disgusted. Wish I were miles away.
Sunday 22nd August 1897
Dad a trifle steadier today. Have scarcely exchanged a word with
him till tonight.
Saturday 28th August 1897
Arrived home today [after another week working at Selehurst]. Found
Dad much better than last week, in fact, alright. Vexed to learn
later on that he had received what he termed a “stiff” and had been
up today over the affair of last Saturday. To my surprise, Mother
tells me Dad signed the Pledge on Thursday. I only hope he may keep
it. If so I conclude that the climax reached last week was the best
thing ever happened.
Sunday 29th August
It has seemed a rare treat to have Dad so much steadier. He looks
better than I have seen him for a long time, but I am sure it is a
great trial for him to do without the lotion. The evil is that
there seems nothing for a man like him to take the place of the
pub. I’ve no doubt that if he can only stick it he will be
reconciled in time, but I’m afraid there will be times when he will
hardly know what to do with himself. Almost wish now I was at
home.
Billy’s experience with his father’s drinking tended to influence
his own drinking behaviour. While many of his building colleagues
spent most evenings in the pub, he tended to avoid it.
Week ending Saturday 2nd October 1897
Had a terrible time on Monday. [The whole building crew] were more
or less drunk on cider handed round by Comber. Was a bit lively
myself before dinner, but finding what kind of stuff it was, kept
it at a respectful distance. Some of the others were not so careful
and altogether it was a “fine sight”. But to cap all, at 6 o’clock
I found young Albert[1] in a
disgusting state at the cottage. Bundled him home to bed.
Sunday 5th December 1897
Chapel and Sunday School. Dad came down with me this evening and by
a curious chance, Mr Marten had selected as his subject “England’s
National Sin”. Preached a powerful sermon on the enormity of the
drink curse. Hope it may not have the opposite effect on Dad.
Saturday 11th December 1897
Worked all the afternoon [at Crawley] and home by the 5 o’clock
train. Found Dad on the run again.
Saturday 26th March 1898
Came home to find Dad still on the run, been drinking all the seek.
Miserable evening.
Friday 26th August 1898
Dad a bit “on” after keeping straight for so long. Sold the old
mare to Tom Steadman so, of course, was obliged to wet it a bit.
Never knew him to have a horse deal yet without that result more or
less.
Saturday 26th November 1898
As things have turned out, it was very fortunate I was at home this
week. Dad continued drinking till Tuesday when the usual climax
occurred. He went to Lower Beeding Vicarage [chimney] sweeping and
on the way home fell out of the cart more than once I believe.
Anyway, when he got to the stable he could hardly stand having
evidently hurt his back and head. Got him home and to bed with some
difficulty. Next day he was very bad, quite ill in fact but
gradually got better, and on Thursday morning got up early and
swept 2 chimneys, to my great surprise. Since then he has been
going on much better. Not much sweeping on now [but] fairly busy
with the horses. I have had two or three wet journeys, lots of rain
having fallen this week. Spoke to Bert on Wednesday as to his
coming home to run the show but he doesn’t seem to care to (and I
don’t wonder at it) so I suppose I had better make up my mind to
have another go at it again[2].
Tuesday 3rd January 1899
This morning when returning from Crawley Road, met Dad in Park
Street with the cart and found him very queer. He couldn’t see and
hadn’t the slightest idea of where he was and what he was doing
(perfectly sober). Managed to get him home with difficulty and sent
for Dr Vernon who arrived over an hour later and saw him. He (the
Dr) said he was to keep warm and quiet or he might have another
turn more serious. After a time he gradually got better and his
sight returned and memory partially but he seems very queer now. He
evidently had a kind of fit which must have come on him very
suddenly. He went to Wimblehurst early in the morning, had a fair
breakfast, loaded the cart with manure from Mr Hore’s stable
intending to shoot it on our dung heap. Instead of which by some
means he came up Park Street.
Wednesday 4th January 1899
According to Dr Vernon’s certificate, Dad is suffering from
“cerebral congestion”[3]
- [1] Albert was Billy’s
18 year old younger brother.
- [2] Billy was trying to
persuade his younger brother Bert to come home to keep their
father’s cartage and sweeping business going. Failing that Billy
acknowledged that he might have to do so himself once more.
- [3] A common diagnosis
for conditions leading to apoplexy and stroke in the era before the
accurate measurement of blood pressure.
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