Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-07-11

euu ~ Nof-now, Whtiak l know what
am speaking and pronising. Yes. hsal
me. Emily. and bear witness, ss prom.
$50 now. before high heaven add before
thee--ihai. il it please God 20 raise me
from this bed OF dagger and suffering.
Will become temperAis--never 10 permit
that dsmned liquor sum. ia any shape OF
form, 20 PASS these ips sgain-nsver--sc
long ss me Immortal mind is cognixant o
wiling and doing-so help me Godl''
This AZ fearfully solemn promise. Ce-
eili" said Emily; ebui 20 me. not ell the
wealth the Indiss. nay. the whole world
TO mr.. is poor and pi,iable. indeed. in ex-
eaange-to lose oil hopes Of its strict full.
hlment. My petitions, dear Cecil, shall
be ipeessant TO that God upon whom you
have 30 soietnnly called 10 enable YOU
faithfully TO keep this resolution, for with.
out bis assistance the strongest of us j.
weak. Now nv husband. lay your head
down upon your pillow. for fear thin
excitement will delay your recovery-
say no more at present. but lie down and
may your dreams be sweet, aud sleer
hesllbful and refreshing"
After Emily. had smoo,hed her hus.
bands pillow and given him some drink
the invalid composed himself 10 sleep
With conscience more ligbiened Of it,
burden, and 4 mind more free from the
anxieiies OF life. than had been his portion
for many months preyious-such being
the reward cf correct and ,ir;uous re.
solves. when made in a true spirit.
And the wife, the young and viriuoos
Emily. who was as beautiful in mind
as in her person lovely-ihough in the
deepest poverty and Indebtedness, wa.
well fitted 10 grace the magnificent abode
oil The gay. tie rich. and the elegant
MIA; were her feelings at This moment
which she Eel, 10 be the eri,i, Of her fate
what did she do; what was the state Of
her mindi To enter fully into he. feel.
ings and impulses Is impossible. II mus
suffice 10 note some OF the outward act,
Of the unhappy woman-unhappy-nol
che was not unhsppy-for al this moment
Emily felt dawniug Of hope within heI
breast. she feli an In ward feeling az self.
applause. which is the ten ant OF His boz
som alone, who has dor: hatis 10 ben
fit bis kind--she had Ttdeealed nan, heI
husband. from besstly inie mperance-a
man. the image OF bis Maker, Who had
debased his godlike faculties, and fallen
10 The level of brute beasts. She was
calm and sat by his bedside, with 4 heart
beating high With a promise Of happines.
for The future. Observing that he had
fallen into 4 Tranquil slumber, she sunk
upon her knoes. and resting her arms on
the bed, with her hands claAped 10 each
other, she lifted her eyes TOW ,rd heaven
and there arose, in a SOFT AID subdued
tone OF voice. from the lips Of the sick
man wife, aprsyer, pure, fervent, and
humble. full OF praise, fui. Of thanksgiv-
ing, full OF hope. She had finished her
prayer. and arose from her kneelin9 posi-.
ton, when sweet and gentle confidence
took possession OF her soul; she Eslt thai
her petition to the throne Of grace. for he,
husbands forgiveness and speedy restora.
ton 10 hea.:h, was heard and granied.-
Excellent wonanl excellent Wife,
Thus was Cecil Waters, By ihatscourze
, of our land, brought low upon his bed OF
sickness, just escaping with bis life, and
depending upon the scanty earnings o,
his young and helpless wife, for indispen n.
sable necesSaries 10 prolcug his wretched
existence. Well nigh, lac say TO her
HOY can / requiie ihee;" She, fee.
( bic woman, who had watched a, bis bed
side, Administering 20 all his wanis, per.
forming AL the unpieAslni. and not les,
aFduous duties Of nurse, day after daF,
and night after night, soothing him in hi,
pain, cheering him in his moments Of
gloom and dependency, and when spar.
ed from bis couch. shaving for bis support
he can never Tequite her.
But Emily had her Teward-Ihose en-
desring RoTds and warm smbraee-thai
.promiIe Of reformation which opened 4
hope for the future aud mors than all,
the conscientious dischsTge Of her duiie.
as wife. and love for her husband, brought
their Teeompense. What trials and hard.
ships viii vito not undergo-what mis-.
cry and deprivations not endure, for the
man whom she truly lovesl
Cecil rapidly recovered his health. and
was weaned forever from his iniempetals
habits. lie now conducted with pToprie.
/ ~ and decorum, and ere the year wa.
past, the church numbered him among il,
COMMITMENTS. From humble beginning,
ADD uniIrng industry, being eheered for.
ward by his faithful Emily, he gradually
acquired suiIicien, 90 live in an easy and
comfortable manner His father died
unreeonciIed with his son, leaving all biz
wealth 10 violent institution. This
event, however DO may have fell the
wrong bis parent had done him, caused
no regret OF ill-fesling in his mind
Tine past over their heads tranquility
One. an example Of what man can stIeci
whcn he chooses TO exert his rsason, ra-
iher than follow tie dictates Of a degrad.
I log sensualiiy The Other. heroine in a
field, more trGly noble and exalted. than
the eonqoeIing Of empires. A. M.
/ NEW YoRK.
/ TINE 10 20 home - Paulding. IN his life
Of Washington. gives The following LILLE
aneedoie Of The mother Of this great man: