Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-02-16

Il came from the adjoining chamber. He
remembered his child in an instant. His
only child - whom he most fondly loved
He remembered, too, her conduct but a shOrt
time before, and saw with painful distinct
ness, that he was estranging from himself
and bringing sorrow upon one whose gentle
nature had effected even his heart with feel
ings of peculiar tenderness.
"My dear child!" he murmured, as he
arose 10 bis feet and went quietly into her
room. She had already retired To bed. aud
lay with her head almost buried beneath the
clothes, as if shrinking away with a senSa.
ton akin to fear. But she heard him enter,
and instantly rose up, saying, as che saw him
approach her bed
"Oh, pa, indeed do love youI"
"And love you, my child" Mr.. Martin
responded, bending over her aud kissing her
forehead, cheeks and lips, with an earnest
fondness.
Sand don't you love ma, to!" inquired
Emma.
Certainly do my dear. Why do you
ask !i
because see her crying so often - al
most every day. And she seems so troubled
just before you come every evening. She
used to dress me up every afternoon to see
your coming home at night. Don't you know
how we used to walk out and meet you some-
times? We never do it now"
This innocent appeal was like an arrow
piercing him with the most acute pain. He
could not find words in which to frame re-
ply. Simply kissing her again, and bidding
her tender good night, he turned away and
left the chamber, feeling more wretched than
ever he had done in his life.
1t was about twelve years since the wife
of Mr.. Martin had united her hopes and af.
fections with his. At that time he was es-
teemed by all strictly temperate man, tho
he would drink with friend or at conviv-
ial party, whenever circumstances led him
10 do so. From this kind Of indulgence the
appetite for liquor was formed. Two years
after his marriage Martin had become so
fond of drinking, that he took from two to
three glasses every day, regularly. Brandy
at dinner time was indispensable. The meal
would have seemed to him wanting in par
ticular article without it. It was not until
about five years after their marriage that
Mrs. Martin was aroused to distinct con-
seriousness of danger. Her husband came
homo so much intoxicated as to be scarcely
able to get up into his chamber. Then she
remembered but too visibly, the slow but
sure progress he had been making towards
intemperance during the past two or three
years, and her heart sunk trembling in her
bosom with new and awful fear. Itseemed
as if she had suddenly awakened from de-
lusive dream of happiness and security, to
find herself standing at the brink OF fearful
precipice.
"What can do? What shall do?"-I
were questions repeated over and over again,
but, alas! she could find no answer upon
which her troubled heart could repose with
confidence. How could she approach her
husband upon such a subject! She felt that
she could not allude to it.
Month after month, and year after year,
she watched with an anguish of spirit that
paled her cheek, and stole away the bright
ness from her eye, the slow but sure progress |
Of the destroyer. Alas; how did hope fail
it lived in her bosom but |
a faint, feeble, Pickering ray. AT last she |
ventured to demonstrate, and met with anger !
and repulse. When this subsidized. and her |
husband began to reflect more deeply upon
his course, he was humbled in spirit, and
sought to heal the wound his conduct and his !
words had made. Then came promises of
amendment, and Mrs. Martin fondly hoped
all would be we'll again. The light again
came back to her heart. But it did not long |
remain. Martin still permitted himself to |
indulge in wine, and that soon excited so
strongly the desire for stronger stimulants'
that he again INDUCED, and again fell.
Ten times had he thus fallen, and each
time repenting, and each time restoring a
degree Of confidence to the heart Of his wife,
by promises Of future ABSTINENCE. Gradual
" did hope continue to grow weaker and
weaker, at each relapse. until 1t had nearly
failed.
"There is no hope" she said to herself
as she sat in deep thought, on
the evening of which occurred the scene we
have just described. He has tried SO often,
and fallen at every effort. There is no hope
no hope!"
It was an hour after Mr.. Martin had reti-
red to his chamber, that his wife went up
softly and first went into Emma's ROOM
The child was asleep, and there was on
her innocent face quiet smile, as II plea
SAINT images were resting upon her mind
A soft kiss was imprinted on her fair fore
ewn chamber. She found that her husband
had retired to bed and was asleep.
But few hours of refreshing slumber visit
ed the eyelids of the almost despairing wife.
Towards morning, however, she sunk away
into deep sleep. When she awoke from
this,i was an hour after daylight. Her hus-
band was up and dressed, and sat beside the
bed, looking into her face with an express
sion OF subdued and tender affection.
"Emma," he said, taking her hand as soon
as che was fully awake. "can you have con.
6dence in me, or is hope failed altogether"
Mrs. Martin did not reply, but looked at
her husband steadily and inqu'ringly.,
~ understand you." he said, "you have
almost, if not altogether, ceased to hope
do not wonder at it. If I had not SO often
Knocked your generous confidence, ] would