Holly Springs gazette., 1845-06-07

lion of making Anna rue what she had
said. by deliberately intoxicating himself,
| but Ju6 gment whispered In time 10 restrain
him-that would only be proving her opin
Ion OF MIN correct. He resolved not to let
her see him again improperly excited by
liquor, while he at the same time propo sed
by studiously avoiding her, TO show his in-
| dependence of her esteem; and although
they met occa sionalIy at parties and balls
| he adhered 10 both OF his resolutions even
whllc he felt piqued that she did not seem
to notice his neglec but one evening he
was standing near her as the wine passed
| round, and observed that he: eyes were on
him as 1t approached to show his superb
ority to her opinion, he took the glass, and
rejoIced that he had caught glance of re.
pToach as she turned way-The deleTmin.
a lion, partially broken, ceased to be res
traint, and James drank more freely than
| ever, until he was excessively intoxicated.
The next morning brought repentance and
| regret, for the result of the indulgence of
appetite could not convince him that the
appetite itself was false, and that he should
conquer it. Once more he mingled in
scenes of conViviality. until his prudence
was overcome by the ailurement around
him, and reason was bartered lor a mo-
ment's wild enjoyment.
One morning, as he was soberly rejecting
over the folly of the preceding night, AMI
questioning the propriety OF continuing to
use liquors, he received summons from his
sister, Alicia. In mean and unfurnished
house, in poor and dIsreputable part of
the city. James found the sister who had
sent for him. She vas in bed, ha wing been
beaten by her husband for remonst rating
with him against giving their Little boy
who was barely SIX years old, whiskey.-
L he child Was beside her on the bed, in
sensible from drink, and squalor and mis-
cry Ieigned In the abode of those who had
been educated In affluence, but wasted their
comforts by vice and heed essness. James
could not see this without feeling the dan
gers that beset those who use alcohol; and
after he had done every thing in his power
to make his sister comfortable, he set down
for few moments and viewed the past,
whose present was devtl loped in that rooms
years before, his sister married a man who
was in pro fitable business, but be some
times drank TO excess. She had married
knowing this, and her husband contIued TO
,uduge himself liz iiq1or until he became a
habilual drunkaTd. He failed, and had
sunk down, gradually, TO complete sot,
without one redeeming trait In his charac-
ter; brutal aud insulting when most sober,
anu sacrificing every thing TO obtain money
for liquor.
Anna was right" said james 10 himself,
as he rose from his chair. There can be
no solid expectation OF happiness for any
woman that marries man who uses liquor
in any way. | will join the Temperace
Society. He Immediately did SO; and as
/ he left the hall Of the society, after signing
/ the pledge. he walked to the residence oi
/ Anna lie found her alone, and was kind.
ly bat coldiy received.
! After the first salutation, James laid the
! p'ejge upon the work table before Anna, and
said, There, Anna, may | now ask you 20 re
/ consider the answer you gave me one month
ago, when asked you to be mine.-l have
long been convinced that you were right,
but my pride revolted against admitting it.
/ | have, however, seen to day what forces
me to give up pride 10 duly. Now may
not urge you 10 reconsider your answer p
Anna bent low over the card, and tears
| filled her eyes as she read, bat looked smi-
IingIy up. There is nothing for me to
/ rC>:onsider james nothing TO with draw;
but you will let me ask for brief proof oil
your resolution ?"
"Yes. dearest if you will be mine when
The probation is over"
She whispered family, six months 2 and
yielded TO the happy confidence Of mutual
affection.
Six months passed, and they were mar
;ied. and six years have since flown by
| without causing Ell her to regret that they
had thought princip pal better guide than
ungoverned aud unrehectlng feeling in the
selection of a partner for lie.