Litchfield enquirer., 1830-02-25

VI P''tSSN VHNu0p OI tFanSC0nQant beauty, and of uncommon mind-had an eye for
 the beauties of nature, and soul for the spell of poesy. She was three years my junior; her beauty rather in the blossom than in the bud, and her intellect, more re-
 nIarkabIe for it's gift of imagination than tor its power. She had mingled little in sOciety-knew less of the heartlessnsss of mankind; and her heart was the temple of enthusiastic and ardent, but of hullowcd feelings.
 For myself, had mingled much in fe- male society had pressed many thin red lip,' and bowed before many rich dark eye. But Amelia was glad crea- ture, girl in gentleness,' and "a high souled woman in dignity and when she clicited admiration, it was even blended with esteem. Mingled in her ,empera- ment, also, there was ,inge of romance it was the romance rather of devoted feel ing, than of affected sentiment; and even when her affections wero hoarded up in the sanctuary of her own pure bosom, she acknowledged their burning intensity, and confessed tho idOlatry which would lningle in her love. In brief, Amelia became the beau ideal of my fancy, aud ere know her many months, was her worshipper.
 My thoughts were all bound up in the frenzy of my feeling-atiection had im- parted to my character a new tinge, and to my habits another current. In my commNnings with that being, was su- prcmely happy. There was entertainment in the very atmosphere she breathed-my dreams caught their delirious rapturcs from her memory, and my waking thoughts dwelt constantly on Amelia. She was worthy of all my rcgard-worthy Of all my devotion-and every hour seemed but to unfold some estimOble trait in her charac- ter.
 When was twenty years of agc, VIC were married. My father relinquished his business in my favor, and life glided on for another year, all sunshine and happiness.
 By this time, had gone out more frc- quen,ly to mingle with the world-became interested in politics, and thirsted for pow CT. l was engaged in lucrative mercan- tile carecl-my family was influential, and my aid readily accepted if not courted, by the willy and pcr6diouS minions Of office. Gradually, became deeply interested in political wartarc-gradullly, l vorgot the spell of my wifo'S virtue and afectioMs,- and, gradually, there was delirium and joy in ,he wine-cup, and I became one of the votaries of Bacchus.
 I cannot portray how insidiously the charm wove into my senses, and frittered away my faculties. It now seems as ter rible and impossible dream--but the hor- TOTS of that dream are imprinted with let ters of fire upon my brain. The agonics of my remorse, have been as sorpents gnawng the tcnderest vitals of my exis- tence. l gaxed back upon the past, aud would fain blo, its hallowed moments from tho page of my being.
 But to continue. With 'stealthy step and slow,' I became the victim of intem- perance-neglectod my business, and was bankrupt-was ut first pointed at and pitied by my friends and relatives, and ut last, summed and despiscd us disgrace and dishonor.
 It was many months before my wifo could bring herself to the conviction, that I was drunkard. l that had come to her in her youth and beauty-I that had calI- cd forth and broken up tho deepest recess f ses of her soul that was applaudsd fol my intcgrily--honored for my virtue--and f emula,ed for my character! how could sht deem me drunkard-a loathed and con. temptible sol--a disgrace to my name. and a disgrace to humanity. She closed hel eyes for period upon truth so horrible, and endeavored to shut out from her sea- ses, and her understanding, the blackness of my guilt! Oh God how that being clung to, and worshipped nc, even amid the abject contumely of my degradation.
 How she clung amid the wretchedncss Of her despair, to the hope that l might yet be retrieved. How she wcpt, and per- suadsd, and cndeavoured to fascinate me back to my domestic enjoyments, and to keep me, even for one night, from the dens of iniqui,y and the revelry of crime How she threw her white arms around me, ,
 and besought me with earnest looks, and pure caresscs, to remember my early vows-.o remember my own happiness
 her peace of mind, and my fathers cares for the sake of his only child, and the heir , .o his hitherto unspoiied fame. Oh, my , God! how impossible it seems, that could have gone forth after such scene as ! this, and bathed my senses. like a brute | in the debasing influence of intoxication' Would to heaven could live over again ? my young life. Would that again ! migh Loar ,he olad voice of Amelia, and bask iI