Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-04-14

upon that very eve when before God md me
world she gave to him whom she nrdenly loved,
! heart as pure ever beat within human breast
All her hopes aud all her affections were sinked
| upon hel lover. She had dreamed nough, but OF
! happiness. aud thought not that he who loved so
! truly could ever forget the bounds Of temperance
| No WONDER then, us she perceived him give way
| to the solicitations Of friends to drink his health
and that of his young Bride, until his fine face was
| flushed with MI unnatural glow, no wonder that
the rising sigh with difficulty relressed, and
that tear glistened for moment in her cleHr blue
eye. las that such IT. flies pure soul should
be thus rudely stricken! o hnt in the heart Of
man dwelt but tythe OF that spirit OF devotion |
and self.sacrifce TINT nre The cotnponents Of love
in woman then should not have such scenes
TO record.
A tear, as we have soid gIisened in her eye,
| hnt all unnuticed she daslied it away, aud her
beautiful face betrayed moi tho painful emotions !
Of the mind. She was brave girl, my Cousin !
Kate, aud was endowed Ivy nature with strong
good sense Grieved she was and shocked truly,
but she still slrove to suppress her feelings, end
so well succeeded thai none supposed SHE had
mnrke. the Change in her husbands manner
Bitter were lie thoughts Of the young bride
when the following day left her to her own rcfiec
tons. Ii night never again occur" thought she,
81 will not blame, will not Glide, but o, should
it ever again occur, should George become" she
shuddercd Al The thought "should he Income
drunkHrd-O, il cannot he, ] Will win him back.
Happy ann l." thought she, " thnt his destiny is
mine, Tint shu have The blessed prerognlve Of
henling with him the ills of life, and soothing lis
Trials and surrOws.'
Several months had pissed away, and The un
pleasant pur; of the occurrence OF The wedding
eve had never been alluded to lay husband or wife,
and happier couple could not we'll he found. But
Georges mind was one that WINS formed for nov
city ; il had never been awakened to knowledge
of that high mud chivalric sense of honor, which
points us to orcgo our own pleasures for those OF
r,tI 81. Et,I. in
making others happy in word, he VAS eminent
ly 81, fish, and about this time il was that he he
came less and less attentive 10 the society of his
young wife. Not that he was less kind than for
mcrly, but the craving for variety, the love OF
change, and the batteries oi n large circle Of young
men among whom he passed as downright cev-
er fellow, would often tempt him from his home,
TO which he returned, causing modification and
sorrow unspeakuble In vain did Kate inplore
md cnreat him to desist rom habits so pernclcus,
and practices so banelul 10 happiness, and rife with
every evil. Most sUlemnly would he promise u
mendment, and us often forget it, though when
that promise was gwen he doubtless intended TO
keep ii, but The force Of habit was already upon
him, and IFS cravings would with difficulty he con
rolled.
year had passed on, aud fine, rosy checked
infant had been added 10 the family, and for time
this had seemed 10 lave the effect TO Withdraw
him from the society OF his former associates But
old habits returned, aud again and again did he
visit his home in a sinie Of Density noxicalon.-
Business now became less pros porous and nothing
seemed to go well.
All this while, how Jared i, with The gentle Kate |?
= Alas those only who have felt The ruthless hand
OF the demon upon their Observation-Disclosures only
who have borne the heavy burden which so many
OF our countrywouen have been obliged to bear
can tell this sprrows OF that l. 11f which nIourns
affections crushed and hopes bIighted by the
drunkenness OF father husband, or son.
Meekly and patiently, for TWO long years. which
i otherwise might have pissed so hurpiy, had she
horne, without murmur or unklnd rebuke, with
Il all the trials that her husbands faults had broueh
s upon her She begged prayed aud entreaied
J, him 10 relormbut all Of no avail; the habit still
II seemed to increase, aud sorrow and anxiety had
n already impaired ihe bloom Of her cheek, though
e smile OF lender greeting played ever upon her liP
r to welcome his return. AS tenderly did she love
ii even with all his faults, whcn the bridal eve,
she pledged TO him her heart But sle loresaw
i that something more effective must be sought, or
Il he was past recovery.
II That very evening nj later hour than ever
before the young vile sat alone, waiting her hus
is bands return. Her thoughts were of The past
s. Of the golden dreams Of youth - and the sad real
10 tiles of her present lot. He came at length hi:
TT manner fierce and almost frantic he wa:
p dreadlulIy excited and under the hellIsh influence
lie of The dreadful poison. Her smiles were net will
10 curses, and for her good offices Of attention hi;
wants. she received upon her slight aud shrinking
IN form, the weight Of the hand which should never
US have been raised but 10 project Then all the no
OF BILE spiril OF the woman come TO her aid she wa
ii, weak no longer; then did she resolve TO live thu
er no more. Night passed, md the day dawned up
nd on the sleepess eyes OF Kate. Breakfast was pre-
~ pared, and late that morning did Tie husband rs
lie from his couch, with aching limbs, mud reflection
Ut dreadful The fires OF he'll. No glad smile O
'g kindly welcome played upon the lovely counte
nd nance Of The young wife, ms she gazrd npon hin
Is with look which went 10 lis very soul, and h
Il first broke the silence.
KATE, my dear you look i'll to-day: y sigh e,
nj, capped her.
ne "Why are you sud? Speak to me as you wer
Sn won't"
es- George" said she, " This is The anniversary
I'M our wedding: two years ago this very day | di
he promise to he to you true and loving wife. Hav
fulfilled my pledge"
led ayes, dearest and more thousand times"
an "And, George, you then did promise, befol
ny God and the worlj to love, honor, and protect m
on, How eau you love, when ycuI conduct cmhlile
her every moment Of my life? How eau you homo
'rs; while you heap such bitter modification upon m
u and how can you protect me- when you throw
led way HE power even 10 protect yourself? Georg
EN- have you fulfilled yonr pedgc?"
lelr iier husband was surprised and suhdued new
SIN before had he heard such language from her lI
go, or beheld such decision stamped upon her bro,
ar The past rushed upon his mind, and HE days goi
1ny by, and The golden dreams of happiness he hi
formed ere the heurl of the maiden was Won al
re- she had become hrs wife, and Tor moment
$ oil was silent.
DOR "Speak, George, have you kept your pledge 2
HAT "Nu dearest, no; have been ii curse to IN
mr. self and To you Would that | had listened
ood your counses ere ii had come 10 lhis."
ton "But will Won listen nov p REPLIED Kate. al
her beautiful face was lighted with smiles, houl
as her eyes Instantly filed with tears. "Grunt u
WI but one request, and lhe past shall he forgotten
OF and your kale as you used to call me, shall be
mud devoted aud us true as she has ever hean."
vine "Name il; but name il, beet Of women, and
had shall be done
us Z" / nsk Of you hut one other pledge. Sign this
Hest and sIe extended to him temperance pledg
mes, sign this, Hnd keep it, aud want no other ass