Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-25
Gbairf Iittruture.
CFrom The Star of Tsnperance.] ]
THE WITHDRAWAL,
OR THE POWER OF woMAN's LOVE.

OR THE POWER OF woMAN's LOVE.
In the enyirens of large city, sufficient !
" remote from the din and the confusion of
the business world to render the location a
pleasant one, the stately residence of Gene
raj Montressor rears its majestic front, pre- /
senting to tho eye Of the observer an unusu-
al appearance Of opuleuce. But as we, dear
reader, have but little to do with the wealth |
Of the noble proprietor, let us enter at once
upon the sub iect matter Of our short story.
Go with me, if you please, to an elegantly
finished back parlor IN the above mentioned
dwelling, and there let me introduce to your
acquaiutance the fair occupants of the room.
The first is Fanny, only daughter Of Gene
raj MOntressor. Look at her high, intel
lectual forehead her merry, laughing blue
eye her cherry, pouting lips, and her
checks, like lilies dipped in ruby wine just
entering her eighteenth year, she presents
an oasis, if may be allowed the expression,
upon which the eye delights to inger, and
lingering, becomes fascinated. Her com
paniOn, Mary Wentworth, is about her own
age, with large. black. lustrous eyes, beam
ing with intelligence; hair, black as the ra-
ven s wing small Greeian nose exquisite
II formed mouth, and complexion less fair,
but not less beautiful than her cousin Fam
ny's. Altogether, it would be a difficult
matter to find two beings better calculated
to please the eye and delight the heart than
Fanny and Mary.
So, cousin Mary said Fanny, "you
arc really going to marry ugly Harry Darl-
ton, after having had at your feet all the
handsome young men Of the city.
"a Not quite all, coz for instance, there is
Beverly Byrnham, the very Apollo of young
men, has never whispered word of love to
me. But 1 do not think my cousin Fanny
can say as much and pay proper regard tc
truth.
I shall not attempt to deny his having
made love 10 me, and as you have kindly
made me your confdant, will be equally
candid and own to you that expect somt
day, not far distant, to become Mrs. Byrn
ham.
At this acknowledgment, Mary remained
silent, and an appearance of sadness stol'
over her features.
Why, Mary, what is the matter, sai'
Fanny, you look as sad as if / had announ
ced the day Of my death instead of my mar
riage."
Fanny, my dear cousin. you know hoy
deeply love you, and will not take offenc
at what am about to say.
Go on, Mary 90 on, your serious man
ner alarms me. DO you know any thin
wrong of my betrOthedg z
Nothing, Fanny, more than VIII 30
and every one else knows; but | perhaps
view it in q. different light from most pc
sons. The fact Of Mr.. Byrnham's havin
Withdrawn from the Sons of Temperance
what ] aIlude to, and is, IN my mind,
very serious objection to him.
Is that all, Mary ; why, really, thougl
you had made some terrible discovery. Yo
need not be uneasy about that NATTER
Beverly. told me all about it. He says
only ioined to influence young friend of
who was becoming too fond Of his cups
He thinks (and | agree with him. tn
there is no use in his declaring himself Il
pleasure Of glass Of wine with his friend
as he never has and never will drink to c
cess. But, Mary, this is a strange obje
ton coming from YOU who are about
marry man that has dissipated more in. o.
year than Beverly has in lifetime.
True, very true, Fanny; but ma
the difference Harry is a. staun'
Son Of Temperance, and has be-
such for the last three years abstaini
altogether from the use Of intoxicati
drink, there is no danger of his bel
tempted 10 sin, in that particular, as
has too much honor to violate,
pledged word, and assures me that
never could think of Withdrawing.
he says he can not see how any man
common sense can twist the pledge
takes as Son of Temperance into 81
a shape as to allow him the privilt
of drinking under any circumstances
Taking this view Of the subject, |
bound 10 think that the man who wi
draws from the Sons Qor the purpose
dTinking) has not the moral courage
Withstand the temptation, and takes
unmanly mode of dodging the pleGge
has taken, simply because the Sons
low II and the world winks at it.
Byrnham may be an exception, it r
have been want of thought with b
but must own to you, dear Fanny
would have stood much higher in my
timation had he never been Son,
higher still. had he stood firm after i