Litchfield enquirer., 1843-02-16
From the United States Saturday. Post. d,
THE FAILING HOPE.
TEMPERANCE sToRY-BY T. 9. ARTHUR,

\ a TEMPERANCE STORY-BY T. Q. ARTHUR.
"Shall read TO you, ma" said Emma
Martin, little girl eleven years Of aga, CO.
ming up to the side of her mother, who sat
in musing attitude by the ceutre table up
on which the servant had just placed light.
Mrs. Martin did not seem to hear the voice
Of her child for she moved not, nor was
there any change in the fixed, dreamy ex-
preston of her face.
"Ma," repeated the child, after waiting
few moments, laying at the same time her
head gently upon her mothers shoulder.
"What, dear!" Mrs. Martin asked, in a
tender voice, rousing herself up.
"Shall | read to you, ma 20 repeated the
child.
| "No-yes, dear, you may read to me-"
the mothe! said, and her torres were low,
with something mournful in their ex preston
| "What shall read, MAJ"
| "Get the Bible, dear, and read to me from
that good book" replied Mrs. Martin.
81 love to read in the Bible" Emma said,
as she brought to the centre table that sa-
its pages. She then read chapter after
chapter, while the mother 4istet,ed in deep
attention, after lifting her heart upwards.
and breathing silent prayer. AT last EN-
ma grew tired Of reading, aud closed the
! book.
| sit is time for you to 60 to bed, DEAR"
| Mrs. Martin observed, as the little girl show
ed signs of WEAKNESS.
! Hiss me, MAJ" the child said, lifting her
| innocent face to that of her mother, and re-
ceiving the token of love she asked. SO
breathing her gentle good might, the affec-
ttonate girl Slided OFF, ana retired to her
chamber.
Dear girl!" Mrs. Martin murmured, as
I l,.l L
when | think of you, and look in the dark
| and doubtful future !"
She then leaned her head upon her hand,
and sat in deep and evidently painful alb
straction Of mind. Thus she remained for
nearly an hour, until aroused by the clock
| which struck the hour of ten.
With deep sigh she arose, and common
ced pacing the room backward and for
| ward, pausing every now and then to lis
ten TO tho sound of approaching footsteps,
and moving on again rs the sound went by.
Thus she continued TO walk until neur ele-
ven O'Clock, when some one drew near,
paused at the street dooS and then opening
it, came along the passage with firm and
steady step.
Mrs. Martin stopped, trembled in spite of
herself before the parlof door, which u mo-
ment after was swung open. One glance at
the face of the individual who entered, con-
WINGED her that her solicitudc had been in
vain.
"Oh, James !" she said, the tears gushing
from her eyes, in spite of strong effort to
compose herself. al am SO glac that you
have come :"
"Why are you SO agitated, Emma 7" her
husband said, in SOME surprise, looking in
quiringly into Mrs. Martins face.
"You staid out SO late aud You know
am foolish sonictimes!' she replied, lean
ing hef head dnMn sAPesa his shanlder. and
continuing to weep.
A change instantly passed upon Mr. Mar
time, his face wearing grave thoughtful
expression, while his wife remained with her
head leaning upon him. At last he drew his
arm tenderly around her and said
Emma, am sober man."
"Do not, dear James, speak of that lam
so happy now"
"Yes, Emma, will speak of it now
And as he said SO, he gently seated her on
the sofa, and took his place beside her.
EMMA" he resumed, looking her stead
lily in the face, II have resolved never again
10 touch the accused cup that has so we'll
nigh destroyed our peace for ever"
"Oh. james, what mountain you have
taken from my heart! :" Mrs. Martin replied,
as suddenly as landscape upon which the
sun shines from beneath an obscuring cloud.
81 have had nothing to trouble me but that
yet that one trouble has seemed more than
could possibly bear"
"You shall have no more trouble, Emma.
have been for some months under strange
delusion, it has seemed. But am now full.
ly awake, and see the dangerous precipice
upon which l have been standing This
night have solemnly resolved that | would
drink no more spir,uous liquors. Nothing
stronger than wine shall again pass my lips"
81 cannot tell you how my heart is relic
ved," the wife said, the whole Of this eve
ming have been painfully oppressed with
fear and dark forcbodings Our dear little
girl is now at that age, when her future pro-
spects interest me all the while. think of
her night and day. Shall they all be mar
red have asked myself often and often.
But could give my heart no certain answer.
need not tell you why"
"Give yourself no more anxiety on this
point, Emma" her husband replied, II will
be free man again. will be to you and
my dear child all that have ever b.en."
MAY our Heavenly Father aid you to
keep that resolution" was the silent prayer
that went up from the heart of Mrs. Martin.
The failing hope of her bosom revived under
this assurance. She felt again as in the
early years of her welded life, when hope
and confidence and tender affection were all
in the bloom and vigor OF their first deVel-
opement. The light came again to her eye,
and the smile 10 her lip.
1t was about four months afterwards, that
Mr.. MARTA was invited to make one of
small party, given 10 n literary man, as viSi-