Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-04-01

affections, certainly without other evidence
of unkindness, had been of late pretermit-
ted. He had absented himself from his
home until late hour at night and had ap-
peared haggard and care-worn. 1t was al
so obvious that the means of support were
diminished, and the wife began to feel ma
ny, very many Of her comforts curtailed.
The descent was rapid and with it, the re-
newal Of absence of the husband at night;
but no open unkindness was exhibited nor
was there reproach on her part, unless the
pale cheek the emaciated frame, and the
heart-sroked sigh could be SO construed.
Misery, Indebtedness, absolute want, be.
set the family; and the husband 'ore him.
self away from the side of his wife and
child early in the evening, with determi.
nation to bring back to them some means
of comfort. He met an old r,'iend, who in.
formed him that place was vacant in an
Office which, with security for fidelity,
would be his.
And who will be security!
Who! Any one--I will. told you SO
two years ago.
Will you now, indeed"
Present yourself TO me tomorrow free
of debt, and l will insure the place
He was not free from debt, but few
hundred dollars would make him so. He
felt assured that few hours at the gam
ing table, the last time that he would ever
darken the accused doors, would supply
him with means to pay those debts--more
he would not receive.
He fastened to the place, and paused at
the last step Of the door. why should
60 inl The few hundred dollars which !
owe, can soon save; and he who. know
|, ing my poverty, would be security for fdel-
!ty, would not think worse of my charac-
ter, if confess my Indebtedness, and my
determination never to place myself again
within the chance Of such dangers
The resolution so excellent relieved his
heart, and he turned with new feelings to
adopt a course of virtue. 1t was then
, "too late"
. He saw within few yards Of him, one
| of the officers of the institution in which
he was to have place of trust. To have
turned away would be to expose himself,
He entered-he played-and at midnight
n had won a few dollars. His luck had
i turned he said; he followed up his luck
: and daylight found him possessed Of more
; than the desired sum.
He left the gambling table a man of bet
r ter resolves than he had been, though he had
, always resolved well. He thought of the
pleasure in store, of the good he would
; yet do, and the delight he would yet enjoy,
The outer door of the house in which
he lived was open. He stole quietly up
the stairs, and gently lifted the latch Of hi,
| room door. 1t was dark and still. The
child at length moved. He felt that his
wife had occasion TO complain of his long
absence, but the joy of his heart was TO
make her understand the new resolution he
had formed, and the means he now pos
. sessed of carrying it into effect. He called
her by name--she did not answer. He felt
that his new intentions deserved more
kindness. He called again, but in vain.-
He then opened window shutter, and the
light of the morning fell upon the face of
his infant. He went to the bed to awaken
his wife. He laid his hand upon her arm.
and its icy chiliness struck TO his heart
9 He threw himself upon the bed, and groan-
3 ed in anguish, The crying of the child
called some of the attendants Of the house
to the room.
The coroner's aid was commanded over
the dead body Of his wife. The verdict of
the jury was, Died of the visitation Of
God But one or two thought that dis
tress had weakened her frame so much,
that the anxiety and cares, the new feeling
; of SUSPICION, or the sense of utter aban.
donment that night, had been TOO much
Her heart br oke with its overweight
The pride of the injured father at length
yielded, and with quiet efforts, he traced
out the residence of his daughter
Determined to meet her at more than
half way towards reconciliation. he came
Just as the husband had awakened 10 a sense
of his misery. 1t is too late" said the
= latter, and pointed TO the bed.
r The pomp Of funeral did not insult the