The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-01
JAMES R. MORRIS, EDITOR AND PnorR1nroR.

Miss Lacy colored slightly, and has
tily tying her bonnet, departed, to ben
eft the rest of her acquaintance with
the same intelligence. Alas! gossip
as she was, she was this once telling
nothing but the truth; yet she, whom
| il most concerned, was the last to sus-
pect it, the last to hear Of it. Shut up
in the room Of her sick child, she saw
no one but Polly, and Polly loved her
mistress too well to give her pain; but
she learned it, at last, too rudely. Bills,
which she could not settle, came pour
| ing in upon her during the morning.
l.What does it lnean?' she asked herself,
again and again, while she continued
every minute to grow more and more
anxious for her husbands presence
AS she stood by ar open window, ex-
ploring the street with aching eyes,
gentleman stepped up to the gate of the
next, which almost joined hers, and said
to the proprietor, who was walking
in his yard, "Well it is ascertained
beyond a doubt that Spencer has gone
off"
"That does not surprise mo-" was.
the response; 81 believe he has long
been preparing for it,"
The wretched wife did not scream
or faint, but she sunk upon chair, her
whole frame stunned by the shock
Long she sat totally unconscious Of
every thing about her; her head thrown
back against the wall, her face pale and
cold, her eyes fixed on vacancy, and
occasional shivering, the only percep.
tible token of life. The faint wall Of
her child was the first sound which
touched the electric chain: it reused
her at once, and she tottered to his
cradle; he opened his eyes; a soft faint
smile played upon his lips, and he fee
bly, attempted to stretch out his arms
to her-the smile, the action, so touch
ing to mothers heart, unsealed the
fountain of feeling, and tears poured
like rain from her dry and burning eyes.
She laid her head upon the pillow be-
side him, pressed her cheek to his, and
| sobbed, as infancy in its little troubles
| is won't to sob upon a mothers bosom,
and gradually the weight that pressed
upon her heart was lightened.
The bitter thoughts of the past, the
crring past, came thronging upon her
brain. Months and years were lived
over in few short hours; and contri-
ton, deep and sincere, flowed out in
alternate musings and prayers like
these: "Oh, my father, thou dost not
afflict willingly or grieve the children
Of menp' Yes, l see it all now, my
own hands have wrought out this sor-
row for me. HIS vices were not con-
cealed from me: but vain, ,presumptuous,
that was, ! believed, or rather tried to
believed, that my influence and exam
pie would reclaim him. forgot the
command which says, "give me thy
heart" and yielded itup to a poor worm
| of the dust:-and now this ''god of my
idolatry' is made the instrument of my
punishment.
/ ! strove to persuade myself that my
power of doing good would be greatly
increased by marriage--for had little
fmy own, and his wealth seemed al
/ most boundless; but that wealth has
melted away like an April snow, or
the morning dew, and have learned
that it is better to "stay myself on the
Lord, and keep his commandments"
than to sstrust uncertain riches"
! .Once | thought his affection could
never fail me; that, come what would,
there ! should always find refuge; but
| how soon did mark the "altsred eye,''
the unkind word, and the cold estrange
ment that wore my very heart away.
And in this depth of sorrow, forgo'
that / had one duty on earth beside
and gave up my whole life, every fac
ulty Of my soul, to win him back to me;
and smiled, and put on a seeming cheer
fulness, even while my being was with
: ering away beneath the bitterness o
disappointed affection. All! how
watched for one glance Of tenderness
or one approving word, as il my hopes
of heaven depended upon it-dnt
I watched In pain.
Such were the reflections and pray
ers Of the deserted wife, during thi
/ eventful day. She could think Of thu
t past only with deep feelings ofselfre
proach, and Of the future, but with al
, earnest desire to be kept from sucl
} errors as had led to her present sor
row; Of the pecunlary evils which
threatened her she thought little. 500
! will PROVIDE she said TO herself a
she laid her head upon the pillow, Il
Iget a. few hours rest, while Polly So
E Iup with the child. sGod will PROVIDE