The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-04-12

lest nature would mol bear up, under SO sudden
Withdrawal OF its accustomed stimu us. Gradually
however, as his mind became intently fixed upon
his work, and his body felt the Impulse Of manual
activities, slight reaction took place, and tho
whole machinery of his physical frame moved on
with something approaching to healthy Tone
his hand grew steader, though it sill trembled.
Two hours brought his regular dinner time,
when Jarvis, who began to feel the want of food
returned home, with new and strange feelings of
10y about his heart, One impulse was TO tell his
wife what he had done, and what he doing
But then he remembered how often he had mock
ed her new sprlngng hopes-how often he prom
ised amendment, and once even joined tempe
rance society only relapse into lower and more
degruded condition.
No. no, he said 10 himself after debating the
question in his mind, as he walked towa,d Dis home;
fruits ofmy repentance. will give such assur
ance will create confidence and hope
Mrs Jarvis did not raise her eyes 10 the face of
her husband as he entered. The sight of that once
loved countenance, distorted and disfgured, even
made her heart sick when she looked upon It.
Jarvis seated himself quietly in chair, and held
out his hands for his youngest child, not oyer two
years old who had no consciousness OF his fathers
degradation. In moment The happy little crea-
ture was on his knee. But the other children
showed no inclination to approach, His conduct
had essranged their young hearts purest and most
innocent affections. This was perceived, and felt
keenly. But he had hope of retaining all that
he had lost and this compensated in some degree
for the present distance and estrangement.
Mrs. JARVIS felt troubled and oppressed-ior the
prospect before her seemed 10 grow more and more
gloomy. All the morning she had suffered from
steady pain in her breast, and from assitude
that she could not overcome Her pale thin, care.
worn face told sad tale Of suffering, privatlon,
confinement and want of exercise What was to
become of her children she knew not. Under such
feelings Of hopeessness, to have one sitting by her
side, who. could take much of her burdens from
her, were he but TO will it-who could call back
the light to her heart, if only 10 his promise,
made IN earlier and happier years-soured In some
degree her feelings, and obscured her perceptions
She did not note that some change had passed up-.
on him; change that if marked, wopld have caus.
ed her heart to leap in her bosom.
AS soon as JARVIS had risen from the table, he
took his hatand kissing his youngest child the
ly one there as who seemed TO regard him passed
quickly from the house. As the door closed after
hlm, his wife heaved long Sigh, and then rising,
mechanically, proceeded TO clear up The table. Of
how many crushed affections, and disappointed
hopes, did that ono deep, tremulous sigh speak.
Jarvis returned 10 his work, and applied himself
steadily during the WHOLE afternoon. Whenever
desire Of liquor returned upon him, he quenched il
IN copious draught oil water, and thus kept him
sell as free from temptation possible. At night
he returned, when the same troubled and uneasy
silence peryaded the little family at The supper
SAINT labor could proou.o a poor supply of food,
After the children had been put to bed Mrs Jarvis
sat down, usual to spend the evening, red as
she was aud much as her breast PANIED her in sew
ing. A deep sigh heaved involuntarly her bosom
she did so. 1t caught the ear ofthe husband 81
smote upon his heart. lie kne that her health
was feeble and that constant labor fatigued her ex.
cessively.
al wouldn't to. night, jane he said. '.You
look tired. Rest for evening
Mrs Jarvis neither looked up nor replied There
was something in the tone of her husbands voice
that stirred her feelings. Something that softened
her heart towards him. Blu: she dared not trust
herself to speak, to let her eye meet his. She
did wish to utter harsh or repulsve word nor
was she willing to speak kindly TO him, for she did
not feel kndiy,-and kind words and affected
she had already found but encouraged
him in his evil ways. And she continued TO
ply her needle, without appearing to regard his
presence. Her husband did not make another
effort to induce her 10 suspend her abor s for
under existing circumstances, he was particularly
DESTROYS Of not provoking her 10 use towards him
the language Of rebuke and censure. Alter sitting
silent for, perhaps half an hour, he rose from his
chair, and walked three or fou times backwards
and forwards across the room, preparatory to go
ing out TO seek u coffee house, aud there spend his
evening, his wife supposed But much TO her
SURPRISE he retired 10 their chamber, in the adioD
ing room. While still under the expectation of
seeing him return, his loud breathing caught her
quick He was asleep! faJap
Catching up the light, she arose suddenly to
her feet, she passed, with hasty step, into the
chamber. He had undressed himself, was in bed
and sound asleep. She held the candle close 10
his face; calmer than usual, and somewhat
paler. As she bent him. his breath came
full in her face. Ii was not loaded with the dis
Her heart beat quicker--thc moisture dimmed her
eye--her whole frame uembed. Then looking
upwards, she uttered "a single prayer for her hus-
band, and gliding quickly from the room, sat down
by her little table, and again bent over her work.
Now she remembered that he had said. with some
thing unusual in his tones--''l would NOT sew to-
night, Jane; you look terd, rest for one evening"
and her heart was agitaled with a new hope; but
that hope, like the dove from the ark, found moth
ing upon which to rest, and trembed back again
into feeling of dependency What had she 10
hope for? Surely not that her husband would res
FORM She had seen too many efforts at reform,
alton, commenced under better auspices than could
possibly surround him, apd all had tailed At
each successive failure, his state became worse
than before. 1t was past twelve o'clock when she
laid by her work, from exhaustion and pain, and
sought few hours of troubled repose.
On the next morning, tho trembling hand Of
jarvis, as he lifted his saucer to his lpsaat the
breakfast table, made his wifes heart sink again
IN her BOSOM She had felt hope, almost un.
consciously. She remembered that at suppertime
his hand was steady-now it was unnerved This
was conclusive TO her mind, that Notwithstanding
his appearance, he had been drinking But few
words passed during the meal for neither felt much
inclined TO converse.