Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-07-02
No. 10.


ing and giving money to his associates, his
aged mother and helpless sister were often
reduced to actual want before they could
obtain of him the pittance due them from
their humble patrimony. This, however.
his wife did not then know; she learned it.
together with this and worse tidings. at
somewhat later period in her married life.
Liston was deficient in principle and in
moral courage. Content to defer the evil
day to the most remote PERIOD he lived on
in his usual reckessness, until the hour of
ruin came, and then he shrunk with das-
tard spirit from the evils he had himself
called down.
Sophia had been married about five
years, and was the mother Of two children,
when the long suspended blow fell uponher
She had relinquished the habit of attending
gay parties, and had become accustomed 10
seeing her husband repair, night after night
to some scene of gayety, without even ex-
pressing a 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 accept the invitation. lie was
extremely fastidious on the subject of dress.
and insisted that she should appear in a
style of peculiar richness, on that particular
evening. She obeyed him in all respects.
for she still loved 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 unwonted tenderness, as he
whispered, Il cannot accompany you, dear
Sophia. but will meet you at the party,
and you must look your very pretticst.'
Sophia's heart sunk, for she had fancied
that he would be her attendant, and his
kindness awoke some Of her early feelings
of cheerfulness.
Come early, Edward was her reply
i do not wish to be absent long from home
this evening"
He pressed her hand again, but made no
answer, and as he turned to the house the
carriage drove off. They meter met again.
Sophia waited for him in vain until very
late hour, and then accepted the escort of
friend to her home. She watched the wa
ming of the stars and the breaking of the
day, but her husband did not return. Dis
tracted with fears for his safety, she dis
patched servants in all directions in search
OF him, but no tidngs were received Be-
fore ten o'clock on the following day, the
house was filled with shcriff's officers--an
execution had been levied on Mr. Listens
goods, and his wife and children were liter
ally turned out of doors to beggarv.-
Where, think you, was the generous, good
hearted husband, during this season Of dis
hir1l
for many a weary month--that he had fall
len prey to the knife of the midnight as
sassin, to the dirk of the phrensied gambler
No-he had fled from the storm he dare
not brave--he had left her to bde the tenn
pest, while he had sought refuge from its
fury. Aye, worse than all--he had not
gone unprovided--the Siluer plate-the We
ry spoons and forks, and salvers. which had
been his pride in former days, had vanished
with him-he had robbed his own Golfers
of the silver which his wife's fortune had
enabled him to buy But Sophia knew not
this, she mourned him as dead, and little
dreamed that the sudden disappearance of
the plate had reflected on her the heaviest
suspicion. 1t was not until months had
elapsed and it became a subject of legal in
vestlgation, that she found she had been
suspected of conceaing the large amount
Of silver which was known to have been
IN their possession. In the course of the
examination, facts were elected from va
riouS sources, and such circumstantial evil
dence was obtained as satisfied every one
that the plate had disappeared on the night
when Mr.. Liston had so mysteriously van
ished, and those who knew his habits. were
at no loss to imagine the true state of the
case. Yes, Charles--the generous good
hearted mamie who was no bodys cnemy
but has OlCn'-had left his wife and children,
his helpless mother and sister, to struggle
with want, while he had secured himself
from the necessity of sharing their hard
ships by cowardly flight.
Mr.. Liston had squandcrcd his mothers
little patrimony, as well as his wife's for
tune, and nothing was saved from the wreck.
BY the sale of her Jewels and the superfiu-
Gus part of her wardrobe, Mrs. Lston was
enabled to hire part of small house, and
open what is now styled thread and nee
die store. After time, she felt it her du-
| ty to provide for the destitute mother and
sister Of her husband, and sending for them
to take up their abode with her, they form
ed one united and atfectionate family. Her
children were then very young, and it was
suggested to her by some Of her friends
that she might procure employment as a
daily governness. By the assistance of
her early friend, Charles Haywood, from
whom she resolutely refused to accept pc
cuniary aid, she obtained several pupils,
whom she regularly attended, while her
mother took charge of the store. Thus
| did she STRUGGLE 10 provide n maintenance