The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-14
'THE COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN
Number lOA.


Of A., place endeared to the heart
of the writer by many fond and loved asso-
Citations. 1t was altogether scene in which
| fancy loves to revel, In few hours her
broad sails were spread to the summer
breeze, and was sweeping over the rivers
placid bosom. The passengers had assem-
bIed upon deck to gaze upon the scenery
around; but, there was one, who had sepa-
rated herself from the company, and stood
leaning over the side OF the vessel, with her
check resting upon her hand, to take last
look Of the green hills that encirced her
home; but she wiped the tear from her eye,
as she thought of one object dearer than
all, and endeavored to subdue the strong
emotions Of grief, with which she was but
too ardently struggling. They soon arriv-
ed at the place of destination, after pros
porous voyage of a few weeks. The noble
vessel glided gracefully up the majestic
Mississippi, greeted by the loud cheers of
hundreds Of spectators.
The happy couple settled in the flourish
ing city of New Orleans, and for sometime
enjoyed uninterrupted happiness. Young
MpTy, as merchant, was prosperous, and
became an object Of general admiration
his lovely wife was the admired of all, win
ming, by her sweet and gentle manners, the
hearts Of those who came within the range
of her acquaintance. She was gentle, love-
ly and engaging, as he was noble, elevated
and excellent. Thus we find them COM
mencing life amidst home bright
sunshine and love- But it was not
to be thus. Mary had often witnessed "a
cloud overshadowng the fair countenance
OF her husband, and though she would
not Intrude nor question the cause, yet her
confding disposition ascrbed the change
to too close application to business; but
she was soon undeceived; The storm that had
been gathering. now burst, and Mary fear
fully learned that Walter had become in
| temperate. A chill of horror seemed to
rush through her frame she struggled to
preserve her compoSure; but, as she look
ed upon his altered face, tears in quick sue
cession rolled down her pale cheek. Ear
ncstly she plead with him, whilst her dove
like eyes were raised mploringly to his, to
abandon his associates, and the tDine cup.
Faithfully he promised her he would do
so, and for a time he kept his promise
But O, the infatuation of the drunkard.
He was again tempted, and he again fell.
| will not follow this tempted one along
the course which ensued, course only too
natural to such as are led off by intemper-
ance. Thus, we see in this youth the dan
ger Of early habits in boyhood He was
fond OF his glass but he carefully conceal
ed every suspicion of the kind from his
family and friends. He would scott and
jeer at the Temperance Societies, and at the
idea Designing the Pledge. Will not bind
myself, he would often say, to any such
society: g will drink when please, and
let it alone when please the little that
take will never injure me-" And is not
this the language of many young men of
the present day: many who are now tread
ing in the steps of Walter NJ, who think it
beneath their dignity to take the Pledge.
Alas /! for such they sooner or later be-
come drunkards. And to them I would
affectionately say, take warning by the sad
career of this youth, whose bark of con-
fdence was soon shattered, and whose sun
of glory, that shone so brightly upon his
early manhood, will, ere long, go down in
to midnight darkness. Think, too, before
you take into your keeping the heart OF
some fair and gentle creature, ere you
blight the existence of some of the beauti-
ful and confding ones of earth Pause, |
again entreat you, or Heaven, in justice,
will overtake you.
But have wandered so far from my mar
rative that it is time | should retrace my
steps Finding his business falling fast,
and ia avoid tho observation of those with