Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-09-18

and talked of hopes that had been
bligh,cd and Of happiness they would thence
forward strive 10 secure. Leisurcly they
walked home TO their apartments. She had
placed her smiling children in their little cot
and smoothcd down the pillows to mako sweet
the sleep Of tho cherubs, and had just turned
to leave them, when she heard a loud laugh
in the street, and call from some one for
Fitz Roy. A loud knocking at tho door
satisfied her Of tho nature Of their crrand.
She sunk into a chair. She knew that
his companions were at the thresholds; but
she had hopes that he who had so lately
pledged his word forever to shun them,
would not again be led astray. For some
time he made no answer TO tho intrudcrs.--
But at last, wcarcd by their opportunities,
he went to the door, and for half an hour
maintained his resolution to avoid thcm.--
He told them of his shame--his degradation
his suf1crings. lie reminded them Of the
horrible doom that awaited them, as we'll
as himself, and finally told them Of his pledge
to his wife forever to abstain from the cup.
They laughed outright at his temperance
plcdge"-and the idea that his wife hold the
rod over him, ticklcd their fancies. They
accordingly lot of volly Of ridicule and
taunts that were exceedingly annoying to
Fi,z Roy. -.
Still he held out, and was about closing the
door in their faces, when new conner mp
pcared. The young Dick Milton had that
day come Of age, and was now on the way ia
-Iiall, to give grand entertainment tc
his friends. ...i. -. 49,.
Come fi'z," said he gajly. "jusi 60 dowr
and give usa lift. ComG--wo will have
something that will do tl,e heart good. Will
you gol"
81 must be excused gentlemen l."
lie was interrupted by boistcrous peal O.
merrment from his late companions.
"Don't you think" says one, shat Bill
here has signed the temperance plodge-
the real blue temperance tee-total, by G.
Only think Of that, Dick.
"And his woman wears the small clothes,
said another, laughing. ... ...-
! "Y0u arc--infcrnal villains, all Of you,
said Fi,z Roy.
"Con-, eomc," interposcd Dick Milton
"this is no way TO do business. Fi,z, yo
won't deny me; come, 90 tell your swcc
wifc-shc's a good wife that Of yours, Fit
go tell her that you arc going down witt
Dick Milton just to have one more spree, an
, then leave Off What say-will ye do it,"
, Fitz Roy for momcnt hes itaed. II
, said not word. but retired TO the room whcr
his wife sa. weeping and briefly told her tina
he was going with Dick Milton, to have on
: more sprcc-"and then, Harriet, then Xvi
" leave off drinking forever. Good night wife
| rnu Non,l MT u,,t fnr ~
Harriet threw herself in an agony of grie
by the side Of her children, and wcpt hcrse
to sleep. She was exhausted and tired wit
: watching, and oh, how sweet is the obivio
p Of sleep to the wretchcd and broken hcartc
, She awoke with the earliest dawn. HI
i husband had not returned. She sent mes
:, scnser TO the hall but no trace of him coul
DO found. The wretchcd wife now lost a
, hope and gave up to despair and almost
. distraction. The miserable man had take
= his last sprec-had wandered of upon III
n steep banks Of ths river, had been precp
;, tn,cd into tho water, and died a drunkard
= death,