Saturday morning visitor., 1848-09-09
THE FATAL PLEDGE.

"Joln us III our pledge, Colunel---sure-
ly you will not refuse ME-" said beauti-
iul bride, emerging from bcvy Of brides
maids, and extending glass OF brimming
champaign as she spoke.
The gentleman whom she addressed,
had studiously retrained during the eve
nirg, from drinking OF the costly wines
prepared for the guests But iinGing him
sell thus the object Of general attention,
for when the BRIDE spoke, every eye as
upon him---he colored, stammered few
indistinct words, took the glass, and bow
ing gracefully, drank long lie and happi-
nesS to the bride.
Il told you | should succeed" said the
young and happy creature, her eyes spark
ing with triumph, as she retired into her
circle Of bridesmaids. IL knew Col. War
rem would not refuse ME. What a pity he
has got such purltanical notions in his
head. He used 10 be the very foremost
with happy allusion or eloquent senti-
ment when the wine circulated
No one was there 10 contradict this joy
ous but thuughtless creature, or TO tell
her that Col, Warren's indulgence in wine
had nearly proved hi. ruin. He had been
absent from his native city for some years,
lulion not TO drink, in consequence Of
conviction OF his own weakness. On his
return, his old associates in vain persuad-
ed him 10 alter his determination. On va
rious festive occasions they had endeavor-
ed TO induce him 10 join them in pledging
each other, but his answer had always
been the same. This was the first time
since his return that wine had been intro
duced in the presence OF ladies'. 1t was
resolved TO try whether the influence Of
the sex would not break resolution which
more than one felt TO be reproach on him-
self. How the scheme succeeded, we
have seen.
No pen can adequately describe the e.
motion Of Col. Warren during the instant
he hesilatsd, before taking The proffered
glass from the bride. He was chivalrous
10 fault in his demeanor 10 The sex, and
had ne, er been known 10 refuse request
Of this kind. The hride was the daugh-
ter of his early friend, a cherished treas
ure. whom he had many a time dandled
Oh his knee, and whom he had never ddAe
anything to slight or pain. He stood, as
we have seen, irresoute for a moment
hesitating between fears 3or the result,
and dislike to diSobige his iavorite OF
this her wedding night. But at length he
had fatally yielded.
Little did The young bride think Of the
dreadful issue Of her tempting words anC
smile. Little did she dream that the han
kering love Tor wine, which had once re,
dnced her victim 10 the verge Of confirm
ed ine5riacy, awoke again at the taste o
that glass, and ragged with more violenc,
than ever. Young, happy and thought
less, she looked only al tie present iri
umph, without considering the RESULT.
How then was she surprised TO hear,
few months after her marriage, that Col
Warren was becoming ain inebriale -tha
he rarely retired TO bed unless in state 0
intox icalion and that in consequence, hi
fine person was becoming dIshgured, ant
Z hio iutkC iOttubp WopttbS away OH
shuddered, but still did not think Of hel
own agency in the matter, and when sh,
next met him, with the privilege of you'll
and beauty, she ventured to plead will
him on the subject. A.f
! "Madam," said he, in reply, and tn,
melancholy and somewhat stern tone il
which he spoke, never left her memory
''il is too late (! was once as am now
| rallied and took resolution never 1
drink again. broke that resolution, yol
know how, and when, and now am
hopeless inebriste." ,,ee 5.
He turned and left her presence. He
eyes were opened. Oh! how bitterly di
she reproaoh herself for having spokel
those fatal words. For nights she coul
not sleep. She sought again and again {
see her yiclim, but he avoided her pres
ence. They never met again bu.once,--
Reader, would ) you know hOwg a'hf'k