Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-03-24

who bore still more strongly the marks
Of dissipation.
"WeIl, Stanley, you are just in timo
for a game before dinner" and the two
disappearing into the house, were soon
deep in the mysteries Of the billiard
table.
1t was indeed, the once proud, up
right, handsome Stanley Lonnard -
Two short years had sufliced to mako
him what VIC have seen---a tavern haunt
e., gambler; the companion ofprofli-
gates. "Thc trail Of the serpent was
over the flowers Of his Eden, and he
himself had wandered forth, miserable
and restless, like the first outcast from
its hallowed precincts.
From the hour when we left him
with his head bowed on his hands.
Stanley Lennard was an altered man,
True, he strove long and manlplly, To
counteract the evil effects of Mary's
long INDUCED habits. Every plan
which affection could devise, or ample
means execute, was tried in vain. The
! best domestic assistance the country
afforded was hired; but when the eye
Of the mistress is waiting, everything
goes wrong. His liberal supplies were
wasted; his meals ill-cooked and irregu-
lar; his home ill-arranged and disorder
lily: and above ALL she who should have
been the chief attraction Of that home.
was generally 10 be found addressed.
listless, and languid. Wholly unac-
quaintcd with business, she was inca
Pable Of sympathizing with her hus-
band in the many vexations which are
its inseparable attendants, or Of giving
that affectionate, judicious advice so
often needed by him who bears tho
cares and burden Of an active life
Whatever he felt, Stanley, with true
noblenoss of soul, never permitted his
feelings TO manifest themselves in his
conduci towards Mary. He remember
cd the beautiful Eastern proverb:-
"Strike not, even with q blossom, a
wife guilty Of an hundred faults s"--and
though he demonstrated and entrcated,
il was always in the language Of kind
ness. Gradually, however, Stanley
became cstranged from his home; his
business was neglected, for he no long
er had an incentive to exertion; he grew
careless Of his persona! appearance.
and feeling of moral degradation took
possession of all his faculties.
The large dinner bell vas still ring
ing in the hall Of the hotel, when trav,
eller alighted at the door, and request-
ed 10 he shown the residence Of Stan-
ley Lennard. We'll did Stanley know
that voice, and his face tingled with
shame; but he was undiscovered. Dart
ing through a side door, and shielded
by high, close paling, he reached
gate at the back Of his own garden,
then passing through the house, met
his Uncle at the front door. The good
old man casped Stanley in his arms,
then looked long and anxiously in his
flushed countenancc, and felt in his
heart of hearts that all was not well
with the nephew whom he loved. They
entered tho house, and while Stanley
went to announce his arrival to Mary,
Uncle Morris looked about him and
drew a sorrowful, though just conclu,
sion, from all he saw A very small
fire burned, or rather smoked on \
dirty, unswept hearth. Tho carpet
might haze had a reminisccnce Of THO
broom, but from the crumbs and litter
which covered it, tho acquaintance
could have amounted to nothing more,
The windows, dim with dust and cob-
webs, were but lily concealed by ours
iains Of very doubtful whiieness, Ey.
cry movable article had "stept out"
of its place, and altogether, an air Of
great discomfort reigned in the room.
"Poor Stanley" sighed Uncle Nor
ris, as he thought of bis own neat and
comfortable home. Mrs. Lennard re-
ceivcd her new relatives with her usual
Of manner, and during the
three months which followed, Uncle
Morris learned that n constant success
sion of grievances, though not very
serious in ihemselves, amount in the
end to very considerable sum total of
wretchedncss. lie was n quiet, observe
ing man, and withal possessed an un-
common share Of common sense, n qnali-
ty more rare than il geperply supposed,
and valuable ~ il is rare. lie was not