The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-10-29

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A choking sob followed when no arose
hastily, and retired 10 his chamber. Mrs.
Martin did no. follow shilher. She saw
that his own affections we've doing more
For him than any thing lha, she could do or
say; and therefore she deemed il the part OF
wisdom 10 let his own reflections be his
companion, and do their own work.
When Mr.. Martin entered his chamber
he seated himself near the bed,and leaned
his head down upon il. He was becoming
more and more sobered every moment
more and more distinctly conscious ol
the Iue nature Of The ground he occupied
Still his mind was good 6eal confused, for
the physical action Of the stimulus he had
taken through the day, had not yet shbsld-
cd; although there was strong mental
coun,erac,ing came in operation, which,was
gradually subduing the effect of his pota-
tons. AS he sat thus, leaning his head
upon his hand, and half reclining upon the
bed, deep sigh, or half suppressed sob.
caught his ear. II came from the adjoining
chamber He remembered his child in an
instant. His only child--whom he mos.
fondiy loved. He remembered. too, her
c0nduc, bat short time before, ard saw,
with painful distinctness, that he was es-
training from himself, and bringing sorrow
upon one whose gentle nature had affected
even his hear, with feelings of peculiar
tenderness.
My dear childl' he murmured, as he
arose 10 his feet and went quietly Into her
B room. She had already retired to bed,aud
lay with her head almost buried beneath
the clothes, as if shrinking away with a
sensation akin TO fear. But she heard
him enter, and instantly rose up saying,as
she saw him approach her bed
%, pa, indeed do love you'll
And love you my csild,' Mr.. Martin
responded, bending over her and kissing
her forehead, cheeks, and lips, with an
earnest fondness.
And DOM. you love ma, too?' inquired
Emma.
certainly do. my dearp Why do you
ask mel mb,,.{ =; ,i
Because | see her crying so often
almos, every day. And she seems sotrou.
bled Just before you come home every even.
ing. She didn't use to be so. good
while ago, she used 10 be always talking
about when pa would be home; and used
to dress me up every afternoon to see you
But now she never says any thing about
your coming home at night. Don't you
knowshow we used TO walk out and meet
you sometimes! We never do it now!'
Ala iaNHssa; appeal was like an arrow
ding her good night, he turned away and
ieit her chamber. feeling more, wrelchel
than he had every fell in his life
y was about twelve years since The wife
OF Mr.. Martin had united her hopes ant
objections with his. A, that time he was
esteemed by ALA strictly temperate mar
al.hought he would drink with friend o,
at a conyiyial party. whenever circum
stances led him TO do so, From this kint
OF indulgence the appetite for liquor wa.
formed. Two years after his marriage
Martin had become so fond of drlukine
that he took from two TO three glasses ever,
day, regularly. Brandy at diner ,imt
was indispensable. The meal would hsy,
seemed TO him wanting in principal arlicl,
wiihouti,. /. was not until about f ;,
years after theiI marriage that Mrs. Marlir
was aroused to distinct consciousness o
danger. Her Husband came home so mucf
intoxicated as TO be scarcely able 10 get ur
into his chamber. Then she remembered
but TOO vsiby, The slow but sure progress
he had been making towards intemperance
during the past two or three years and he
heart sunk trembling in her BOSTON with
new and awful fear. II seemed as If sh,
had suddenly wakened from delusiv
dream of happiness and security, to fin,
herself staDding a, the brink of fsarf,,
precipice.
what can do? What shall do,
were questions repeated over and owe
again, but, alasl she could find no answe
upon which her troubled heart coul,
repose with co6dence. How could sh,
approach her husband upon such sub
jecs? She felt that she could no, alude /,
1T.
Month after month and year after year
she watched with an anguish of spirit tha
paIed her cheek, and stole away the briob,
ness from her eye. the slow but sure 1ro
Vress Of the destroyer. Alas! how did hon
fail-fail--fail, until il lived in her bosnn
bn' faint, feeble, Aickering raw. Al las
abe yeninred 10 remonstrate. and was mo
with anger and repulse When This snb
s'dsd'and her husband began 10 reflec, m mor
deeply upon his course, lie was bumhIs,
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