Litchfield enquirer., 1843-02-16

| GNCtIIuA was Su;u OSul uUuOE ltS l0uuG0C0
so much so, that all the reserve he had in
morning was gone. And he spoke pleasant
| ly and freely with his wife-talked of future
| schemes OF pleasure and success. But, alas!
his pleasant words fell upon her heart like
sunshine upon ice. 1t was too painfully evil
dent that he had been drinking-and drink.
ing to the extent of making him altogether
unconscious of his true position. She had
rather thousand times have seen him over
whefned with relnorSe. Then there would
have been something for her hope to have
leaned upon.
Day after day did Mr., Martin continue to
! resort to the wine cup. Every morning he
felt So wretched that existence seemed bur-
den to him, until his keen perceptions were
bsunted by wine. Then the appetite for
something stronger would be stimulated, and
draught after draught of brandy would fol-
low, until when night came, he would return
home to agonize the heart Of his wife with
new pang, keener than any that had gone
before
Such a course of conduct could not be-
pursued without its becoming apparent to all
in the house. Mrs. Mertn had, therefore,
added to the cup Of sorrow the modification
| and pain of having the servants and her child
daily conscious of his degradation Poor
little Emma would shrink away instinctivcly
from her father when he would return homo
in the evening, and endeavor 10 lavish upon
her his caresses Sometimes Mr., Martin
would get irritated at this.
"What are you siding off in that way for,
Emma?" he said half angrily, one evening.
when he was more than usually unde. the
influence of liquor, as Emma shrunk away
from him on his coming in.
The little girl paused and looked fright
| ened-glancing first at her mother, and then
again, timdly at her father.
"Come alorg here, say" repeated the
father seating himself, and holding GU. his
hands.
"Go, DEAR" Mrs. Martin said
~ reckon she can come without your tel
ling her SO, madam" her husband responded
angrily. "Come along, / tell you," he ad-
ded in loud, exciting tone, his face growing
red with passion.
"There now! Why didn't you come
when first spoke to you, ha ~ he said,
drawing the child towards him with a quick
jirk, SO soon as she came within reach Of his
extended hand. Say! Why didnt you
come Tell me Amt your father!'
"Yes. SIR was the tirnid reply.
And haven't taught you that you must
obey me?"
Then why didt you come just now, when
called you I"
| AZ tutSa'O6oNObA LuC tlLtkC kvTIn WhO0
no reply, but looked exceedingly frightened,
Did you hear what said Z" pursued the
father in louder voice.
"Yes sir.'
Then answer me this instant Why
didn't you come when called you?"
Because III was afraid" was tho
timid hesitating reply.
Something seemed to whisper to the ia.
theirs mind a consciousness, that his ap.
pearance and conduct while under the infiu.
ence OF liquor, might be such as not only 10
! frighten, but cstraDge his childs affections
| from him and he seemed touched by tho
thought. for his manner changed, though he
was still 10 degree irrational.
Go away then, Emma! Take her away,
mother" he said, in tone which indicated
that his feelings were touched. "She don't
love her father any more, and don't care any.
thing more about him." pushing at the same
| time the child away from him.
Poor little Emma burst into tears, and
shrinking to the side of her mother, buried
her face in the folds of her dress. sobbing an
it her heart would break.
Mrs. Martin took her little girl by the
hand and led her from the room, up to tho
chamber, and kissed her, told her to remain
there until the servant brought her some SUD-
per, when she could go to bed.
don't want any supper, ma I" she said,
still sobbing passionatcly.
Don't cry DEAR" Mrs. Martin said sooth.
ingly.
Indeed, ma, do love father" the child
said, looking up earnestly in her mothers
facet tears still streaming over her cheeks.
Wont you tell him 500"
"Yes, Emma, will tell him." the mother
replied;
land won't you ask him to come up and
kiss me after Pm in bed !''
Yes, DEAR
"And will he come g.
"Oh yes he will come and kiss you."
Mrs. Martin remained with her little Rirl
until her feelings were Quoted down, and
then she descended with reluctant steps to
the pnror. There was that in the scene
which had just passed, that sohered, to q
great extent, the haIfin,oxicaied husband
and father, and cau,-cd him To- feel humbled
and panied al his co9huct which it was too
apparent wa- breaking the hearl Of his wifi,
and eslranging me affection of his child.
When Mrs Martin re.entered the parlor.
she found him sitting near a table with bis
head resting upon his hand, and his whole
manner indicating state Of painful self.con.
seriousness. With the instructive perceptions
OF Il woman. she saw the truth and going
at once up to him, she laid her hands upon
him and said, "James - Emma wants you
to 60 up and kiss her after she gets in bed
She says that she does love you, and she
wished me to tell you So"
Mr. Martin did not reply. There was
something calm, gentle aud afiectionate in
the manner Of his wife - something that
melted him completely down. A choking