The North-Carolina standard., 1839-12-04
THE APPEAL OF A WIFE AND MOTHER.

ters, March 2e 1889.
THE APPEAL OF A WIFE AND MOTHER.
Twenty seven years ago, and was not what
am now. My eye was then bright my cheek
was the picture of health and my heart was
light and blithesome. | was then stranger to
care. | had then never experienced one pang ol
disappointment arising from hope deferred
The world was to me fall of promise, and my
Imagination looked forward to many future
years of calm aud tranquil happiness.
Twenty seven years !! How often does memo
ry carry me back to that green sunny spot of my
existence. Twenty-seSen years ago. There is
meaning in these words which brings to my
mind full recollection of that sweet and de-
lightlul period Well do l remember the deli
cacy with which was reared, the unwearied
pains taken by my indulgent father to give me
an education answerable to my birta and pros
pecrs And well do | remember my numerous
sui;ors-my happy bridal eve-ny splendid
dress-and my brilliant wedding-vhen l gave
my hand and my heart 10 him who is now my
husband.
was then delighted happy wife; NV hus-
band was one of the most promising and in,ei-
gent young men in the village He was to me
so kind and attentive-so full of affection and
tenderness | loved him then; and | love
him still, and trust l shall love hin. until
die. Our prospects then were the most en-
couraging. Well do | remember the beautiful
mansion which my father gave me, tie splendid
furnture with which it was stored. The costly
side-hoard, with the glttering vases and glasses
which covered it, and The elegant decanters,
sparkling so brilliantly with the chocest wines
contained in them. oh that wine, hat WINE !
how like the serpent it stole into the Eden of our
bliss, and stamped curse upon me and mine,
unu,terable and indescribable ButI was then
young and thoughtess. poured out the wine
for my young companions, as they called upon
me. l aughingly urged those who were tenn
perate, to drink only one glass Like fool, l
was sporting with the very temptation the most
fatal to the peace and happiness of families.
ExPesr.lence7,bitter, sad experimenting taught
me this; and the agony Of heart and the tears
of anguish have shed for this, my youthful fol-
y, can only be seen at the judgment.
One year after my marriage, [ gave birth to
my first born, a fair and beautiful boy. Oh !
how many hours of happiness, pure and unal-
loyed, have | spent In sporting with and nnrs-
ing that young immortal. How fondly my hear
was attached 10 that child and yet how little
did then feel for his true interest," how little
gratitude did feel to my Maker. for his good
ness toward me, and how little obligation 10 teach
my son, in his earl y and tender years. his duty
TO God. [ was then blinded with my sins; |
to feel grateful for them; and it was only when
misfortune came and laid its iron hand pom me,
that was led by the infinite grace and mercy
of God 10 think of my obligations and duties.
Well, time rolled on. Another, and another
and another, were added to my family; and in
nine years after marriage, | was the mother OF
five children, all of them boys. My husband
had, by his attention to business. secured hand
some fortune; and our worldly prospects were
most encouraging. He was to me still kindly
afectionate-all that husband should be. was
still happy wife, and gratifed delighted mo-
ther, no cloud seemed over me. But why need
| dwell upon this fair side of the picture any
longer? NV tale is tale of woe-of blighted
and crushed hopes and expectations-and nv
appeal is the most painful effort of a wife's and
mothers heart Yet hear me-hear me throu u Q h,
ye rum-selI!ng gentry. Ye are they who make
sport of the happiness and peace of the domes-
tic circle: ye are they who, for the sake Of gain
are ready to destroy both body and soul; We are
they who are scattering flowers over hell, and
smoothing the pathway of many a wre!ched
wanderer towards il with your stimulating
drinks. Do talk too hard2 Oh read lit
tie farther, and see the havoc one of your num-
Der has produced in my family; and then say,
if you can, that [ have no reason for nv seve-
rity.
l we'll remember one bitter cold night in De-
cember, that sat up long after my usual hour,
waiting for my husband 10 return from his bu-
siness. This was the first time that he ever
staid out so late as TO alarm me. There I sat
in my chair, all alone, anxiously awaiting the
sound Of every fooistep upon the pavement. One.
two, three o'clock was sounded by the faithful
monitor before me; still he came not. Tired
and cold, l laid myself down upon my=pilow,
not to sleep. but to wet it with my tears. My
heart was oppressed with certain feeling that
all was not right with my husband. About four
o'clock heard several hurrying steps upon the
pavement, and strange loud voices as if engag
ed in angry debate. The crowd stopped at my
door and heard my husbands voice demanding
admission. descended to the door and opened
it. He looked at me slernly for a moment; but
observing my pale countenance still wet with
tears, he changed color, stammered out an ap-
pology for keeping me up so late, and ascended
to our climber. Before retiring to bed, how.
ever he went 10 the sde-board to drink a glass
OF vine. The decanters were empty. He open
ed the side-board aad looked for the jug contain
ing the brand ); This was empty also. This sur
prIsed me; knew they had both been filled
few days before. My eyes were now opened
and the astounding fact that my husband had be-