The North-Carolina standard., 1839-12-04


gone-andh how tenderly they loved me-of the
companions of my youth and of my happy bri-
dal hour. AT this moment | was aroused by a
loud and violent knocking at the door. A group
Of men enered. amongst whom looked in vain
for my husband. They had come, they said, on
an unpleasant business My husband was a
bankrupt. and they had come to attach his pro-
perty. requested permission to examine their
execution! IL aOGs levied By a r@m-seLI1mg pro
tessor OF religion.
l gaveOp my splendid mansion, all its costly
furniture without murmur. 1 followed my
husband 10 a rude built and low thatched cottage
downto the edge of the shore. Even here
could have been happy. But other woes and
other sorrows still awaited me- I was here
deslined1o see Two OF my boys become the W.
tins Of oflntemperance. & to follow the other three
to their long and silent abode. Would that |
/ had buried them in Infancy. - e - q
| we'll remember cold, stormy and dreary
eve, in the winter of 1924. Two of my boys
had been off that day fishing the two eldest had
accompanied their father 10 town and [ sat at
home, over the nearly expired embers. endeavor-
ing to prepare something for my youngest son,
who was stretched upon low bed besides me,
nearly gone with the scarlet fever. My tears
fell fast as his low moaning voice reached
my ear. | arose 10 assist him, but | noticed a
mortal paleness had come over his face. | stag
gered towards the bed. One gasp for breath,
and then it was all over with him for ever
How long lay insensible know not; but when
revived, found myself in another apartment.
The candle burnt feebIy in its socket. The fire
was entirely extinguished and beside me, in
the habiiments of the grave, stretched upon
plank across two chairs, lay my son-so lately
full of health and animation, a cold and
silent corps. | arose, and entered the other
room; neither my husband nor my boys had
returned. The storm howled wildly without
the rain beat violently against the window, and
there was alone. in that dreary cottage, at the
late hour of midnig ht, with the corpse of my
darling boy. Some neighbors had accidentally
entered whilst was insensibe, and had laid
him out Tor his long resting place A few arm
fulls of wood they had also kindly left me, and
some provisions.
An hour elapsed ere heard any sound with
out, save the storm. Voices were then heard
approaching the cottage and in a few moments,
my husband and two eldest sons stood before me
dripping with rain. and shall l write it, all of
them heastly intoxicated. | cannot-oh! lean
not describe the terror of that fatal night the
harsh abuse of my husband the heartIess con-
tempt and neglect Of my boys, whom had loy-1
ed with all mothers fondness. "Where is
your nursing Sam2" demanded my husband,
casting an eye towards the bed. l handed him
a lamp and pointed TO the other room. He
took it and staggered towards the door. Upon
opening ii, the pale inanimate corps OF his son
met lis eye. With an exclamation of terror he
sank upon the floor. The boys hastened to
help him. They stood moment to contemplate
the emaciated countenance of their brother, and
then burst forth into wild and childish sob of
grief. Intoxicated though they were. their
hearts, had not vet closed over every generous
feeling
But the morning brought new horrors. Oh
how can | write ii and yet my heart has be-
come so burthened with grief that feel must
give vent 10 my tale Of woe. The boat In
which my two sons went a fishing, was found
upset few rods below the house, and both of
them were drowned beside it, with their fishing
tacklng in their hands What a scene for a
mother Deprived in one short night Of three
children; and these three the dearest TO her SOUL
NV poor heart, which had hitherto borne up
under all the accumulatng ills with which was
afflicted, now gave way. No tear, no sob, es-
capped me, but low brooding melancholy settled
upon my mind. Days and weeks passed away
[ was insensble alike TO barshness and to pity
Even the iron-hearted, rum selling Christian
who came 10 ME, appeared touched with
my situation and was heard to declare. that if
he was not commanded to look after his family
he would never sell any more rum 10 my huS-
band
said before, days and weeks passed away,
and still | needed not the which were
transpiring around me. When | evoke to re-
turning consciousness, l found myself in another
dwelling, much more comfortable, and my hus-
band seated beside me anxiously regarding me.
He had been shocked at the death of our chill
drep. all of which had arisen from his beastIy
thirst for rum that he swore he would not take
a glass again. Daring this six weeks Of my
s,ckness. he had religious!y kept his word. Sew
eraI of his former friends had heard of his re-
form, and had come forward TO assist him.
They procured him situation in large esta-
blishment III the village; and we had removed
from the thatched cottage down by the river side
to small and neat dwelling, nearly opposite my
former residence.
l well remember the smile that played over
my husbands features as | awoke from the living
death, Il was like the smile which | had often
seen in young days Of innocence and hope.
Oh what a cheerful sensation it sent to my
heart 1t atoned at once for the errors ana abuses
of years, and arose from my bed with a lght-
ness of step to which | was a stranger. NY
husband flung his arms around me- Will
drink no more rum. my dear Mary" ne OBJ
served: Il will treat you better than did be-
fore I have been a har rsh and unfeelIng mon