He died at an early age, the victim of an insatiable and consuming desire for drink.

Her husband's father had been what is called a "free liver"-- that is, a man who gave free indulgence to his appetites, eating and drinking to excess, and being at all times more or less under the influence of wine or spirits.
It was the hereditary taint that Mrs.Whitford dreaded.

Here lay the ground of her deepest anxiety.

She had heard and thought enough on this subject to know that parents transmit to their children an inclination to do the things they have done from habit--strong or weak, according to the power of the habit indulged.

If the habit be an evil one, then the children are in more than common danger, and need the wisest care and protection.