The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-08-21
FAMILY SECRETS,
OR. THE HUSBAND REFORM Ed
by MRS. ELLIS, LATE Miss sricKNEY.

Authorcss OF "1hc women OF England, PIC
lures of Private Life
In small apartment the ground floor,
opening by an old-fashioned lattice through a
perfect bower of roses and sweet brer, upon
little orchard green, where his children were ac-
customcd to play sat DIR. Frederick Bond, accu-
sing himself, for the thousandth time, of having,
through malpractice, superinduced by his bcset-
ting sin of tipping, caused the death of a worthy
LADY, in whose case he had been recently called
to prescribe. Oppressed with the anguish of his
mind, he at last threw open the window and
looked out. lie had heard young voices speaking
in their pleasant tones of innocence and Joy and
he now bchcld his children, with their mother,
seated round little breakfast table, under one of
the old trees which grew near the house.
1t was beautiful picture, but it did not escape
his eye, thai they were all eating the coarsest
bread, served in the humblest manner, though
they had every appearance of enjoying their meal
as much as if it had been of the most costly de-
scripton. For long time he had leaned against
the side of the window, and gazed with fixed at
tention on this scene without the little party be-
lng aware that he was a spectator but no sooner
did one of them make the discovery, than it was
whispered to the rest, and almost instantaneously
something like a shadow fell upon them all
Their chcerfulncss subsidized, their laughter died
away, and the pleasant schemes they had been
I
Tiers absence, and the promises they were ma
king her, sunk into silence on their lips; while
they ate the remainder of their breakfast without
a word or smile.
Frederick Bond shrunk back into his room; he
would willingly have sunk into the centre of the
earth.
81 am so horrible monster" ho exclaimed
''that cannot look upon my own children with
out whitening their JOY"
As he said this, he caught glimpse Of his f.
cure IN the glass; and his wonder, if he had felt
any, might we'll have ceased. His face was sal
low, his cheeks had fallen into deep holows, his
eyes were red and glaring, his black hair was mat
ted into separate locks. that seemed if start
ing from his head. He was wrapped in Il loose
drcssing-gown and his movements were accom-
panied by certain degree OF muscular distortions;
especially his face which was once handsome
but which had lately been disfgured by convul-
sive twtches at which his younger children
laughed while the older ones were afraid.
"No wonder said he, "lhey shun and hate
nc. | envy them the power of escaping from
such monster; but bow shall escape from my
SELF
He then swallowed his accustomed morning
draught, end before his wife had come to take
leave Of him, he had begun to feel more the
master otLmself
"Fredcrick,' sad Eleanor, returning again,
after she had bid him goodbye "this is the first
time have left you and the children alone; for
their sakcs-tor mine, may ask oiyou one kind
ncss;''
"What is it,
''WiIl you abstain-will you cndcavour to be
your bcttcr-sclf, until my return"
"Impossibei Heaven knows gladly would, if
the power was in me; but you know, Eleanor, it
is impossible
AN things arc possible with God, Frederick
Will you not ask him to help you:'
81 dare not.
"Ofwhat arc you afraid: Surely there is more
to dread i'll the daily violation Of holy law, than
in the simple act which he has himself enioined
the act ofcomng to Him i'll simplicity ofheart
to ask His pardon for the past and His aid in re-
sisting temptation for the future
but my sins are beyond all hope of pardon"
They are, whilcpcrssted in; not othcrw isc. "
you forget that am murderer
ST do not forget that yon believe yourself to
be 50. Yet, even for the murderer there is hope
OF pardon. DO not, dear Frederick, attempt to
measure your culpability by the opinions of men.
! have heard you say yourself that it is the SIM
pie nature of sin, as such, which makes it hateful
in the sight of God; and though some sins may
be more offensive than others, all are equally for
hidden by divine law. If, therefore, we would
in reality take the Bible as our guide. we must
believe that the murderer is not more gnilty,
than the man who appropriatcs his neighbours
goods; the drunkard, than he who chershcs in
the secret of his heart the spirit of envy or re-
venge
"Tako courage, then, dear Frederick. Some
OF us are surely beset with temptations of many
kinds. You have one prevailing temptation
Direct, then, all your efforts against this deadly
enemy, and when once etfectually conquered, it
will be conquered for life. Farewell, dear Fred
erick; ifyou find yourselllonely when am gone
remember that God is near you, waiting to be
gracious. And now, once more farewell. Take
| care Of the dear children; and may their Heaven
ly Father bless and protect you all
With these words Eleanor departed, and her
miserable husband was left, as it appeared to him,
without one consolation or one hope. Torment
ed with perpetual restlessness he went into the
little paror where he was accustomed to break
fast, and found his eldest daughter seated at her
sewing. She started up on seeing him enter, and
Immediately brought i'll his breakfast. 1t was
choice and savoury rcpast, such as Eleanor al
ways had in preparation for him, whenever he
chose TO prrt2ke of it; and he could not help this
morning comparing it with the homcly meal he
had seen his wife and children eating in the gar
den some hours before. As soon as his little
daughter had placed it on the table, sho sat
down to he. sewing again, and only looked up
occasionly, to see whether her father wanted any
thing she could bring.
Gladly would Frederick Bond have sharpen
ed his appetite this morning, by addi' G to his
coffee the usual proportion Of brandy, with which
he was accustomed to strengthen it but there
seemed to him, in the presence of the quiet little
girl who sat beside him, endeavoring to supply
fef mothers place, sort of sacrcdncss which he
was not yet so hardened as to violate
MARY" said he, edo you always eat that
brown bread foryour breakfast, which saw you
eating this morning."
eyes, always"
'And have you always those wooden bowls
for your mlk,''
"Oh, yes; we like them better, because they
never break"
"And does your mother always eat the brown
bread and milk with your
eyes, when she eats any thing; but she some
times goes almost without breakfast at ALL
"Do you think she likes the bread and
milk,n