Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-14
TOO LATE.
by JOSEPH b. CHANDLER, ESQ.


wife, as they sat together late one evening
in July, 1910, it is we'll that we discover.
ed the character and habits of the young
, man, before he had advanced farther in our
! esteem he might else have inveigled our
: only daughter into marriage, and brought
disgrace upon as, as well as misery upon our
child
(Which would have been misery to US too,
surely said the wife.
II would have been insupportable misc
ry. But thank Cod continued he, raising
his eyes in heartfelt gratitude, l was in
formed in season TO prevent my child from
the disgrace of connection with -"
with what = said good looking young
man, bowling to venerable pair, with a
what, sir speak out now l am your
daughters husband and it seems not unfit
that there should be so much confidence be-
tween father and son, as that the latter should
know the opinion of the former upon his pur-
suits, when the former knows the relation in
which each stands to the other.'
If it is too late to prevent the marriage,
said the father
1t is too late.'
Then. at least, though my rights as ia.
Their may have ceased, those of husband
and of a man are unimpaired; and il can
not rule those in my house, l can, at least,
say who shall be its inmates
Father said the bride, kneeling, with
clasped hands, do not cast me from you !;
give my-give him time, at least, to prove
that you have not done him justice. Mo-
Their, dear mother j
The closing of the door at the other side
Of the room drew the attention of the sup
plant, and she found that her husband was
the only one left with her. 1t was too late.
Hand in hand the newly married pair left
what had been to the wife an Eden of quiet
happiness. The stern commands of a ia
Their were there, at least, 10 be obeyed and
she was yet 10 learn whether serious act
of disobedience on her part, would ever be
forgiven by one who had seemed wrapped
up IN her affections-whose life was appa-
renly entwined with her obedience.
She left that Eden then. Hand in hand
the banished pair took their departure; and
as the offending daughter, and confding
wife, turned back to look at the closing door
of her paternal mansion, it seemed to her,
} indeed, as if some angel, severe in awful
trance to the place which she had desecrated
by flial disobedence.
The pride Of the new husband was lust
too much Tor his situation. He was anxious
not only 10 maintain his wife independently
of her family, but TO give her many of those
comforts to which she had been accustomed.
He could easily have attained the former,
and have met all her wishes in that respect !;
but his pride induced him to neglect rational
means of acquiring ordinary comforts, and
led him to resort to what he deemed chances
of sudden wealth. He had, before his mar
rage, suffered in the estimation of many re-
spectacle persons, by his associating with GER
tain dashing young men, who, to their other
social qualities, were supposed 10 add that
Of fondness for games Of hazard. He had
amused himself in that way without pecuni-
airy profits, and, by observation, had learned
) the tricks of the art without practising Their,
upon others.
Time passed onward, and the young wife
became mother, and SEW, in the birth OF
her boy, renewal of the attentions of her
husband. which, without apparent lapse Of
affections, certainly without other evidences
Of unkindness, had been of late pretermitted.
} He had absented himself from his home until
a late hour at night, and had appeared hag-
gard and care worn. 1t was also obvious,
that the means of support were diminished,
and the wife began to feel many, very many,
Of her comforts curtailed. The descent was
rapid, and with it the renewal of absence OF
her husband at night; but no open unkind-
ness was exhibited, nor was their reproacI
on her part, unless the pale cheek, the ema-
ciated frame, and the heart broken sigh could
be so construed.
: Misery, wretchedness, absolute want, be.
set the family; and the husband tore himself
away from the bed Of his wife and child ear.
ly in the evening, with determination 10
I bring back to them some means of comfort
! lie met an old friend, who informed him that
' place was vacant in an office which, with
security for fidelity, would be his.
'And who will be that securlty?'
who? Any one-I will. l 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 hun.
dred dollars would make him so. He fell
: assured that few hours at the gaming table
the last time he would ever darken the &C.
I cursed doors, would supply him with mean.
: to pay those debts-more than that he would
not receive.
!, He FASTENED to the place, and paused a,
the last step of the door. why should
> 60 in A.? The few hundred dollars which ]
j., owe, | can soon save; and he who, knowing
, my poverty, would be security for fidelity
! would not think worse of my character, il /
confess my Indebtedness, and my determine.
, ton never to place myself within the chance
of such dangers again.
n The resolution SO excellent relieved hi.
: heart, and he turned with new feelings te
adopt course of virtue. 1t was then toe
II late.'
r He saw, within few yards Of him, one O
n the officers of the institution in which he wa,
: to have a place Of trust. To have turned
n from the door would be to expose himself
!. and he could not stand where he was. HI
entered, he played, and at midnight had wor
Ia fau, dnllarc He gl,,cL 4