Holly Springs gazette., 1845-08-30

| ngs she knew he was constantly attending
| and therefore, she uttered no murmur
Ii grIeved her to see him return some
! times with flushed cheek, and unsteady
| step; she dld not give vent TO her uneasiness
and only trusted that when the election
was over, be would torsake all that had
/ grleved her SO much, and return TO his for
mer conduct She was willing as every
woman Is, 10 look forward 10 a bright and
| beautiful future. She knew that all who
| live have clouds as-well as sunshine TO en-
counter, and thought the present one would
soon pass away, and leave her horizon as
serene and calm as the one she looked
back upon as heT morning light At the
meeting where William might nearly al.
ways be found, there was d party of young
men, near his own age, possessing pleasing
address and manners; thev made II their
business to attach themselves TO all new
comers by inviting them to drink to their
better acquaintance and thus gently lead
them into the worst of vices. They knew
that William was in good business and TO
him they piofessed the warmest friendship.
They made up various kinds of excursions
and pleasure parties to all of which be
was invited and had to bear a part, if net
the whole of the expense. For man IL
his moderate circumstances, this could not
continue; his business was neglected-his
customers, finding him ihattentive, sought
more punctual men. When his friends
found his means exhausted, they saw in
him many faults that had rot presented
themselves before. The foremost and
most deSpised, an empty purse, was a bug
bear from which his associates shrunk with
terror He was now the father of two
children-no money-Ao business-a ru-
med reputation-wha was to become of
him2 The thought almost made him mad,
and he had recourse to the bottle: with this
he banished all thoughts Of his condition.
his home, his wife, aud his children. How
he succeeded, we shall see.
Four years bad elaTsed. since the con-
clu5iOn of the fl st part of my narrative
10 room, in one of the small houses that
are situated In the northern part of the city.
sat an Interesting woman. The room was
small, but very clean, and had an air of
comfort that cleanliness only gives. The |
farniture vvae all for ose-not a PioUo fur
ornament. In one corner stood cradle, |
in =" hch babe was sleeping; beside It sat
an elderly woman with her foot upon the
rocker; she was trying 10 keep herself a
wake, and the child asleep, by the motion |
of the cradle.
1t was Maria and her mother. -Four |
years had not wrought any change 10 Ma /
ria's face. but. resignation sat sweetly on /
her handsome features; her eyes, though /
not the less beautiful because The light that |
shone from them was less dazzling than /
when first presented to the reader.
Her neat figure was clothed in a dress of
the planest materials. Her glossy hair
was hidden from view by snow white cap; |
and a check apron that had not yet lost lis
folds. completed her attIIe. 1t was very
late, yet she was sewing industrlously.-
When she saw the fatal change that had
come over her husband sne uttered no
She had given up the pretty
home she had entered with such joyous
and rented the one that we now
find her in. All that she deemed unneces-
sary, was sold. to pay the debts of an un'
thinking partner.
She called on all who had been friends
in her prosperity, and requested their pat
ronage, as she intended by sewing, TO earn
a livelihood for her family. Her mother
came TO live with her, that she might de.
vote more of her time TO labor, by relieving
her of the care ofthe house and children.
William still sasntinued his downward
course. lie would hire himself out for
week or two, until he got money for drink.
When that was exhausted, he would get
employment elsewhere, for a short time,
and thus bis day were spent.
"Mother, you had better go TO bed, you
look sleepy; besides YOU need rest-you
have been very busy to.day--the babe will
not awake soon again. and If he does, can
stir the I radle-do 60 10 bed
No, my child, / am not sleepy; can SIT
up I'LL you finish. You will 90, then. will
you polz'
Not ill he comes homer
He may not be home na.i daylight. and
vhat thanks will you get fos waiting up?
He will be in pretty state when he does
,ome'
As she spoke the door opened. and Will
liam entered. The mother said the truth.
A pIe;ty state be vas in-his coat was tSrn.
lis hat was smeared with MED. and his
face showed he had been engaged in a fgh,
of no slight import. Re gruffiy asked for
4 light Maria lighted one and banded
him. She folded up the work she had
been previously engaged in, and sat down
% mend me rent in his coat. She then
brushed il. and hung it upon a peg. appro- I
orlated for its use; next she freed the hat !
rom lis filthy covering. and then went ou, {
he -. -wl hrow H. fs,h nd rrQ 1