Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-02-28

guests. Mr. Sidney was the only one pres
ent, who felt satisfied, that all was passing of,
to the qualification OF all concerned.
At length The evening wore away and with
a strange feeling of disappointment, which
none but Isabel knew how to define, this
brilliant company separated. In vain did Is
abel strive to convince George of his folly af-
ter their return home-he repealed her kind
ness by his sullcn manner, and when harsh
words from him fell upon her ear, she felt
that all again was lost. Years passed away,
and George Benton was los, 20 the world and
to himself His thirst for strong drink re-
turned with increased and fearful violence,
from that awful moment when he first yield
ell to temptation. Prayers, and tears of
friends we're of no avail, he continued to
slakc his unqnenchable thirst in the streams
of death, and maddened by despair, he left
bis fathers house, and was a wantcrer, hls
friends knew not where-and thus we leave
HIM to follow for while, the fortunes of
ileniy and May. Henry was successful in
business - wealth scattered her glitering
treasures in his pa,h and ambition pointed
him TO the summit of fame and glory. Two
lovely children, IA son and daughte-, now
prattled around him as he returned home,
and strove to amuse him with their innocent
mirlh: as he sat down they would climb up
on his knee, and entwinc their tiny arms
around his neck and express their Joy at his
return. He kissed them alternately, and
pressed them to his bosom, in warm pa
ternal embrace. The careless observer who
witnessed the scene would at once pronounce
Henry IA happy man. But sorrow had left
deep traces upon his manly brow, and now
the gloom decpened upon his intelligent face,
and the hot tears glistened in his eyes. o,
tell me not that man never weeps-that it is
below the lofty dignity of his nature, to suf-
fer the dark fountains of sorrow that are de-
lugng his heart, to flow from his eyes. Tell
me not that woman alone may weep for JOY
or grief; that to such weakness man should
never yield for there ARE times when even
MAN may bow his head and weep. There
ARE scenes through which MAN may be cal
led to pass, that have power to dissolve HIS
heart into drops of bitterness. LIE, the vile
serpent OF lncmperance enter the domestic
bowcr-co itself around beloved object
and fasien its venomous fings into its with
] i'e 'i'liinn " iti IL utdulN gidSU-Ict u teal
from the Iaceratcd and bleeding heart is most
cherished, earthly idol, and sink il into the
depths Of dissipation and dlsgrace-let the
deep fountains Of affection be broken up, and
embitcred with the foul waters of deatln--le,
hope shine with FAINT and yet fainter light
till her bright ray is obscured by disappont-
ment and gloom; surely this Is enough to
draw tears of anguish from IT,, ,,,s Ct. man
Through such scenes as this, had Henry
been called to pass and as he pressed hi,
babes 10 his bosOiI, sho vino gave them birth
who should have been their protector in in.
fancy, their guide in youth and ripper years
she was lying insensble from lnoxica,ion
Let the blush of shame mantle Your faces
ye fair daughters of Columbia The De-
stroycr has breathed upon some of the love.
Hest of our seX--the young and the beautiful
have alike tallcn-and like the fragile now.
er in the tempest, have yielded themselve,
to its destructive breath. His ravages are
not confined TO the low, the vulgar the ite-
rate, bn, he stalks abroad and finds his way
into the highest circles, where beauty, wealu
and talent preside and thus it was witt
May. From the birth of her first child she
began to drink something stronger than wine
and before Henry was willing to acknowl.
edge it, even To himself, his lovely wife wa.
"A sot. lie made use of every effort in hi,
power to win her back to sobriety, but failed
in every attempt. He then resor,ed to re.
siriclion, but in vain. The servants were
not allowed to bring drop of Intoxicating
drink INTO the house, upon any occasion
whatever, even at the command of May her.
sell. Still she managed TO obtain the accurs.
ed poison, which like serpent was spread
ing such desolarIon in her Eden.-IIer chill.
dren were entirely neglected, or given up tc
the management of servants, and May hac
become so hardened and Indifferent, that she
hardly took the trouble 10 inquire after them
They seemed to shudder AT the sight of thei
mother, and fled to their fathers bosom fol-
refuge and happiness. Isabel often called tC
spend little time with the worse than moth
cries babes and they were becoming yer,
much attached to her. May was now sell
DON to be seen. She spen, her time in he
chamber alone, and for great part of tn,
time was in a state of insensibily. Henr,
was truly wrelhed being. No iriendl,
greeting or pleasant smile welcomed HIM "a
he returned home, if May was to be seen a
! all, her bloated face and immodest appear
ance disguised him and he turned away sick
ened AT heart. His home which might hav
| been "A paradise, had become hell 4! Ill
now felt that something mus, be done for IN
, children, and succeeded in gaining the con
sent of Isabel TO receive them under he
care. They were accordingly removed an
in this noble girl they found all their heart
could desire.
, Soon after their removal, the wretche,
May was thrown upon bed Of sickness. Fo
some time wild delrium rocked her burnn
brain, but at length, reason sat upon he
lottering throne. Isabel was her conslan
notwithstanding could draw her from tn
bedside of her deuded and now dying friend
, 1t was evening. May had lain N death
like siupor during the day, and it was eviden
! she could not survive many hours. Mr.. Sid
ney entered the room, and approached tn
bed and began gently TO offer some consola
, ton TO the invalid 10 cheer her dying hours
!, and inquire respecting her hopes of the tu
ture. May heard his voice, and opening he
eyes, fixed upon him their CLASSY gaze, am
with almost, supernatural sirength and voice
said Art thou a man of God Look an
, behold the effect of Thy influence shud
der when think of that dreadful nigh,
3 when you drank our health in glass of wine
$ | tho't il safe to follow you'll followed, an
am lost That night sealed my fate in lhi