The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-17

rose from his chair, and walked three or
four times backwards and forwards across
the room. preparatory to going out 10
seek coffee house, and there spend the
evening. as his wife supposed. But.
much to her surprise, he retired to their
chamber, in an adjoining room. While
still under the expectation of seeing hi IN
return, his loud breathing caugh, her quick
ear. lie was asleep.
Catching up the light. as she rose sud-
denly to her feet, she passed. with a l,as,y
step, into the chamber. He had undres-
sed himself, was in bed, and sound asleep.
She held the candle close to his face il
was calmer than usual, and somewhat pa
Ter. As she bent over him, his breath
came iull in her face. II was no, loaded
with the disgusting fumes that had SO
often sickened her Her heart bea,
quicker-the moisture dimmed her eye
her whole frame rembled.-'Fhen look
ing upwards, she uttered single prayer
for her husband, and then gliding from
the room, sat down by her lillle table,
and again bent over her work. Now she
remembered that he had said, with some.
thing unusual in his tones would not
sew tonight, lane; you look tired: rest
for one evening her hear, was agi-
taied with new hope, like the dove from
the ark, but found nothing on which 10
,,,,I ,rnr,bI.I ta,Iy int fac
ling of dependency. What had she TO
hope for! Surely not that her husband
would reform! She had seen too many
efforts at reformation commenced under
better auspices than could possibly SUR
round him, and all had failed. At each
successive failure, his state became worse
than before. 1t was past twelve O'Clock
when she laid by her work from exhaus-
ton and pain, and sought few hours of
troubled repose.
On the next morning, the trembling
hand of Jarvis, as he lilied his saucer 10
his lips at the breakfast table, made his
wifc's heart sink in her bosom.-She
hal felt hope, almost unconsciously.
She remembered that at supper lime his
hand was steady--now it was unnerved.
This was conclusive to her mind, that,
notwithstanding his appearance, he had
been drinking. But few words passed
during the meal, for neither felt much in
clined TO converse.
After breakfast. Jarvis returned TO the
shop and worked steadily until dinner
time, aud then again until evening. As
on the night before, he did not 90 out, bu!
retired early To bed. And this was con-
iinucd all the week. But the whole was
Il mystery to his poor wife, who dared not
even hope for any real change for the bet
ter.-On Saturday towards night he laid
by his work, put on his coat and hat, and
went into the front shop.
So you have really worked n week a
sober man, Johng Mr.. Lauklord said.
sIndeed have Since last Sunday
morning, no kind of intoxicating liquor
has passed my lips
'And | hope never will again, john
1T never shall If die, ! will not
depart from this resolution.
May you have strength TO keep it,
the old man said earnestly. Then after
pause
How much have you earded this
week, John ?
Here is the foreman's account of my
work. SIR II comes to twelve dollars
'Slill fast workman. You will yet
recover yourself, and your family will
again be happy, If you perseyere.'
%, sir, they shall he happy! ] 'cN
persevere.'
'Surely, you have for so doing the
s,rongcs, considerations
Another pause ensued, and then Jarvis
said, while the color mounted 10 his cheek,
If you are willing. Mr.. l.ankfnrd, !
should like you To deduct only one-haIi
of what | owe vou for lliose lurs | took
from you, from this weeks wages. My
family are in wan, Of good many things ;
and am particularly DESTROYS of buying
barrel of flour tonight
Say nothing Of that, John. lie, il be
forgotten with your other misdeeds. Here
are your wages--tweve dollars--and IN
gives you as much pleasure to receive as
it does me to pay them, then YOU feel Nc
ordinary degree of satisfaction
Mr.. Jarvis received the large sum fol-
him to possess, and hurried away to ;
grocery. Here he bought, for six dollars
barrel Of -four, aud expended two dol
lars more Of his wages in sugar, coffee
tea, molasses, eic.--Near the store wal
The market-house. Tience no repaired