Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-11-13
IA NH. Y S Z G r f T
The Husband Reformed.
BY MRS. Fills.

bower OF roses and sweet brIar, upon a little or
chard green, where, his children were accustom
ed to play, sat DR.. frederic Bond, accusing him
self for the ,housandth time, Of having, through
nal practice, superinduced bv his besettng vice
of tipplinp, caused The death of worthy lady
in whose case he had recently been called to pre-
scribe Oppressed with the anguish OF his mind
he at last threw open the window and looked out
He had heard young voices speaking IN then
pieasan, tones Of innocence and Joy, and he now
behed his children with their mother, seated a
round litle breakfast table, under ono OF the
old trees which grow near the house.
Ii was a beautiful picture, but ii did not escape
his eve that thew were all eating the coarses
bread, served in the humblest manner, tho they
had avery appearance Of enjoying their meal as
much if it had been Of the mos, costly descrp
lion For along time he had leaned against the side
Of the window, and gaZed with fixed attention on
this scene without The little party beng aware
that he was a spectator, but no sooner did one OF
them make the discovery. than it was whispered
30 the rest, and almost ins'anianeously some thing
like a shadow fell upon them all. There cheer
funess subsidized, their laughter died away, and
the pleasant schemes they had been forming for
all that wns be dene in their mothers absence,
and the promises they weIe making her. sunk IN
70 silence their lips; while they ato tho re-
rnaindor Of their breakfast without word or
smile.
Frederic Bond shrunk back into his room; he
would willingly have sbrunk into the contrn of
the earth.
81 arn so horrible a monster he exclamined
sfthat cannot look upon my own children with
out whitening their joy!"
As he sai.. this, he caught glimpse of his fig
ure in the glass, and his wonder, It he had any,
might well have ceased His face was sallow,
his cheeks had fallen into deep hoilows, his eyes
were red and giarng his black hair was matted
INTO separate locks that seemed as IT started from
his head He wrapped in loose dressing
gown and all his mov ements were accompanied
by certain degree of muscular dIstortton. e5pe-
cally his face, which was once handsome, but
which had lately been dsiigured by convusive
witches Mt which his younger children laughed,
while the older were afraid.
NO WONDER" said nc, "ihoy shun and hate nc.
/ envy them the power of escaping from such a
monster; but how shall escape from myself2'
He then swallowed his accustomed morning
draught and before his wife had come to take
leave of him. he had began to feel more the mas
ter Of himself.
..Frederic," said Eleanor, returning again af-
ter she had bid him good bye. this is the first
time have left you and the children nlone; for
their sake-, for mine, may ask you one kind
ness!'
..What is it,
..,N,l YOU absia,n-wiii You eudcavor 10 be
your better self. until my return!'
..!mpossible. Heaven knows gladly would If
the power was in me; but you know, Eleanor, II
IS impossIb'e.'
"Ail things are possible with God, Frederic
VIII YOU not ask him to help you!"
81 dare not"
..Of what are You afraid? Surely there Is
more to dread in the daily violation OF His holy
law than in the simple act which he himself has
enioined-the act Of coming TO him III simplicity
of heart, to ask his pardon for the past. and his
aid in resisting temptation for the tnture.'
"But nv sins are beyond all hope of pardon"
..Thev are, while persisted in; not otherwise"
..You forget that am murderer"
rot that helIeye ynursRit 10 he
40 Yet even for the murderer there Is hope of
pardon Do not, dear Frederic. attempt 10 meas
ure your cul pabilIty by the opinion OF man.
have heard you saw yourself. that /. Is the simple
nature Of sin, such, which makes II hateful! IN
the sight of God; and though some sins may be
more offensive aud injurious TO society than 9th
ers all are equally forbidden by the divine law
IT, therefore, you would IN reality take the Bible
as YOUR guide must believe that the murder
err is not more guilty than the man who aprTopr
ates his neighbours goods; the drunkard. than he
who chershes in the secret of his heart the spri,
of envy and revenge.
Take courage, then, dear Frederic. Some of
us are sorely beset with temptations Of many
kind. You have one prevailing temptation--I
Direct then, all YOUR efforts agains, this deadly
enemy. and when once effectually conquered, 1t
will be conquered for life. dear Frederic
if you find yourself lonely when | am gone. re-
member that God is near you, waiting to be grs-
cious. And now. once more, farewell. Take
care OF the dear Childfen, aDo NAV thelf Heaven
ly Father bless and protect you ALL"
With these words Eleanor departed. and her
miserable husband left, as IT appeared to
him. without one consolation. or one hone Tor
mented with perpetual ressessness, he wen. into
the little parlor where he accustomed TO
breakfast and he found bis eldest daug hter seated
a, her sewing. She started up at seeing him IN
ter and Immediately brought in his breakfast. |,
was a choice and snvory repast. such Eleaaor
always had in prepare ton for him, whenever he
chose 10 partake of II: and he could not help this
morning comparing II with the homely meal he
had seen his wife and children eating in the gar
den some hours before. As his Little
daughter had placed il on the table. she sa, DOWN
TO her sewing again. and only looked up occasion
ally, TO see whether her father wanted anyihur
she could bring.
Gladly would Frederic Bond have sharpened
MS appetite this hr nd IN HE cCtfaa