Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-09-23

| ing neT husband repair night after night
to some scene of gaicty, without even ex-
pressing wish for her society But on one
occasion he was extremely anxious that she
should accompany him. A bridal party of
great splendor was TO be given by one of
his friends, and his wishes, even kindly and
earnestly expressed, induced Sophia to ac-
cept the invitation. He was extremely fas-
tdious on the subject Of dress, and insisted
that she should appear in style Of peculiar
richness, OH that particular evening She
obeyed BIN in all respects, Tor she still low
ed him, and was grateful for every evidence
of that kindness to which she was now but
little accustomed He handed her into the
carriage, and instead Of stepping in beside
her, he only pressed her hand with unwont-
ed tenderness, as he whispered, 81 cannot
accompany you, dear Sophia, but | will
meet you at the party, and you must look
your very prcttiest."
Sophias heart sunk, for she had fancicd
that he would be her attendant, and his kind
ness awoke some of her early feelings Of
cheeriulness.
Come early, Edward" was her reply. 81
do not wish TO be absent long from home
this evening"
He pressed her hand again, but made 10
answer, and as he turned to the house the
carriage drove of. THcy ncro' mt again
Sophia waited FOR him in vain until very
late hour, and then accepted the escort of a
friend to her home. She watched the wan
ing of the stars and the breaking Of the day,
but her husband did not return. Distract
ed with fears for his safety, she despatched
servan's in all directions in search of him,
but nc tidings were received Before ten
o'clock on the following day, the house was
filled with sherif's oficcrs-an execution
had been levied on Mr. Llston's goods, and
his wife aud children were literally turned
out of doors to beggary
Where, think you, was the generous good
hearted husband, during this season Of dis
tress You will think--as did poor So
phla, for many a wary month-tllat he had
filcn prey to the knife OF the midnight
assassin, or to the dirk OF the phrenzied gam
bier. No--he had fed from the storm he
dared not brave-he had lief, hfr to bide the
tempest, while he had sought refuge from
its fury. Aye, and worse than all-he had
not gone unprovided-the siirer piatc-the
very spoons and forks, and salvers, which
had been his pride in former days, had van
ished with him he had robbed his own cof-
lers of the silver which his wife's fortune had
enabled him to buy. But Sophia knew not
this she rnourned him as dead, and little
dreamed that the sudden disappearance of
the plate had subjected her TO the heaviest
suspicious. Ii was not until months had
/ elapsed, and ii became subject of legal in
vestigatlon, that she found she had been sus-
pected of concealing the large amount of
silver which was known TO have been in
their possession. In the course Of the cx-
> animation, facts were elected from various
sources, and such circumstantial evidence
was obtained as satisfied every one that the
plate had disappeared on the night when
Mr.. Lston had so mysteriously vanished,
and those who knew his habits, were at no
loss to imagine the true state of the case
Yes, Charles, the generous good-hcartcd
mamie who was "noJody'S cnemy bd has
0,rn" had left his wife and children, his
helpless mother and sister, to struggles with
want, while he had secured himself from the
necessity Of sharing their hardshps by cow
ardly flight.
Mr. Liston had squandcred his mothers
little patrimony, as well as his wiles fortune,
and nothing was saved from the wreck. By
the sale Of her Jewels and the superiluous
part of her wardrobe, Mrs Liston was en-
abled TO hire part OF small house, and open
+ what is now styled thread and needle
store. After a time, she felt it her duty 10
provide for the destitute Of her mother and
sister of her husband, and sending for them
to take up their abode with her they formed
one united and afiectionate family.
Her children were then very young, and
il was suggested to her by some Other friends
that she might procure employment as dai-
: ly goyerness BY the assistance of her ear
, ly friend, Charles Haywood, from whom
she resoutely refused to accept pecRi0ry
aid, she obtained several pupils, whom she
/ regularly attended, while her mother took
charge of the store. Thus did she struggle
to provide maintenance for her deserted
! family during ten long years. Her son was
adopted by Mr., Haywood, and she submitted
} cheeriuly to the pang of parting with him
: because she knew that under the guidance
of that good and noble minded man, who
t was then established pastor OF flourshing
: church, he would receive such an education
as she could not afford. The closest econ
l omy, the most unremitting application were
necessary in order to provide the comforts
/ of life to those who depend on her exeriions
and Mrs. Lston toiled until health, ant
| strength, and spirits sank under her labors
But just when her prospect in life seemed
| darkest, Providence dispersed the clouds o
f adversely. A distant relative Of her de
ceased father, man whom she had never
known, and from whom she certainly had nc
expectations, died intestatc, and she thus
became heir-at-aw to his estate, which