The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-03
DAILY CRESCENT.
From Arthur's Home Gazette
The Worst Enemy.
TRUE SKETCH. =. BY PAUL cREYToN.

ness to lamrmiable vices.
The truth is this, Edgar was naturally upright
generous, kind -hearled-all that is admirable in
man. But he had early contracted the pernicOus
habit OF lndugng in an occasional social glass
The habit as is nearly always the case, grew upon
HIM, and became his master. Dissipation dead
ened his better feelings and he became careless OF
the happiness Of Others His pleasures absorbed
his attention, his ruest friends neglected, and
his business suffered Yet nobody called Mr.. Ed
gar Sumner drunkard, for he never reeled IN the
street, and his excellent constitution resisted we'll
the train of physical evils consequent upon habits
Of moderate drinking.
Now Edgar had wife, TO whom he bad been
married hut a few months, and whom he lendery
loved. Emily was patient, amlabe woman, well
worthy the affections of a noble-hearted husband.
And she loved Edgar with all the strength of her
warm and devoted nature Singular as it may ap-
pear, Edgar loving Emily he did, could not give
up hrs social Pleasures, as he termed them, even
for her.
my dear Emily he would say, "you know
how well love you but you cannot really expect
me always to remain with you at home. Men Of
business must have reCreaIiOns in which their
wives cannot participate. Do you understand me,
dear!"
Emily invariably replied that she supposed all
this was natural and right, at the same time, de-
clarIng that, much As she loved Edgar's society,
and regretted his ABSENCE she would not for any
consideration, deprive him of his separate plea
sures. Theu Edgar would kiss his wife an afec
''"lidtt dultbs anu hurry away 10 meet MS DOul
companions, never dreaming that he took poor
hmlIys heart with him, and that all the dreary
hours OF his absence, she wePt for his neglect.
year passed thus Emily naturally feeble,
became anguld melancholy, pale. She suffered
much, but as she never planned, Edgar scarcely
ever thought Of her falling health. AT all events,
he never suspected the cause.
For thing, Emily had always felt grateful !;
daspated her husband had become, he always
attended church with her on the Sabbath. But at
length she became too feeble to go out, except in
the mddest weather; and now new trial
added to her sulEerings.
One cold and gustY Sabbath morning in Novem-
her, Emily had concluded to stay at home, and
anticipated much pleasure in having the society of
Edgar during the day. Her bright antIcpations
however were dissipated, and her susceptible heart
was deeply wounded, when she her husband
making preparations for going out. As she knew
he never went to church without her, she said
umIdty-
Are you going to leave me to.day?n
thought | would take a walk. and call on
Mr.. Bruce, or Charley Waters-I am not accus-
toned to staying in the house all day
EmIys eyes gstened, and she sighed as she
turned away her face
Alter pause, she said
hoped you would stay with me to-day, | am
always very lonely without you-but to-day | shall
mss you much :"
Oh, / shall be back presently replied Edgar
IN careless Tone " and you must make Ellen read
to you while | am gone"
As Il gar kissed his wife goodbye as was his
wont, he did not observe that her lips Quivered g,
and tiat her cheek was cold and when he was
zone, he did not know that she was shedding Iears
Vi .urgoN over his neglect.
lrd .ad, we may suppose that he forgot her quite;
iUr he did not come home to dine the tea was
serNei and the unhappy wife, after delaying long
m hopes Of his return, slipped her cup and ate her
hlt of toast wl'hout him; and then the chill and
gloomy night came on, aud Edgar was stl away.
Ine long and cherries evening wore on, and
notwithstanding the kind intentions Of her sister
Ellen, who was her companion, Emy felt no happl-
Hes- IN the pretent, and saw hope IN the future.
Al length Edward returned, and from his manner,
Emily plainly saw that he had been lndulging in
the pleasures OF the wiue-Cup He Was very gay,
and while his unhappy vile regarded him with
fearful eyes he earnestly declared that he had come
home Early for no other reason than TO have game
of Whist with Emily and her sister! Too much
agltated 10 speak, Mrs. Sumner only sighed, and
brushed away her tears in silence, while f. len re-
minded Edgar that the Sabbath had not yet
passed.
'' TINE !" he exclaimed-"I had forgotten And
besides that, there are only three Of us. But We
Eh"nid do something for amusement, girls, what
shall 1t be Z"
.' If you wish for amusement tonight" said Ell
lea, seyereiy,-she was frank, sensible girl, Of
elrftte e if YOU wish for amusement tU.nigh
NJ Sumner, you had better go away again Emily
T. very unweli, aud your neglect and cdreessness
ars killing her"
81. Hush :" gasped Emily, how could you speak
81, Elen?'
" Because il is truthn'
" Because 1t is a Leland because am not mas.
tAr III my own huuse" thuudrred Edgar, angrIiy.
You are an impudent jade, Miss, and If you come
10 create MISUNDERSTANDING between me and Emi-
ly, YOU will do we'll to go home again as soon as
convenient"
Very we'll. SIR responded Ellen, turning her
back upon Edgar, and kissing Emily afirctiOuate-
"; Good night, sister. Don't cry-GoDt night "
Emlly's voice was chOked with sObs and before
she coud speak, Ellen had left the room.
Alone with his wife, Edgar looked darkly at the
fr-, and unused some moments in gloomy silence
The subs Of his wife aroused him.
"Whet is lbe mltDer?" he asked abruptly.
Emily could make no reply. Edgar scOwlad al
the door through which Ellen had dlsaPpe ared and
h his lips with evident perpleXIIy.
"This is n queer stale Of things" he said a
length, "1'hal girl has been trying to put slrange
Ideas into your head, Emily. Can you say that
am ever uukIud to youi"
"Oh, !" cried Mrs. Sumner eagerly. " Hol
have never been unkind 10 me, am sure"
Then why did she speak to me -
Emily made no answer.
'' She is certainly an impudent GIRL" muttereC
Edgar. "WhY should she try 10 make difference
between us -
" On, she did not, Edgar. She means welI-th
dear girl +; bul she spoke hastily "
And perhaps did, too" added Mr.. Sumner
No said on the subject of Edgar's neg
lect and he probably would not have thought of tn
matter again, had he not discovered, comnl
home to dinner on the following day, that Ellel
had gone home to her parents.
w hat does this mean " he asked.
She said you told her to go" tmidly answere
Emily.
Edgars brow gathered, and he fixed his dark ey
the ground,
81 did say something to that effect, do be
heve" he murmured- " but said it hastily. Sh
should not have gone for that
" | demonstrated with her." said Emily "Bl
Won know her spirit She would not stay althoug
She loves me, and knows how much need her y
Edgar appeared very much amazed. But
seemed that nothing indeed could make him Ion
thoughtful of his wife's comfort. After dinner |
Went off whistling popular air and returned NJ
until dark.
The domestic had laid the cloth, and Edgar ar
Emily sat down to the table together. 1t was the
that the vacant seat which Ellen had always occ,
pied, drew his attention, and occasioned a pang
regret and pang OF remorse, perhaps
1t was a cold evening, hut there was a warm Il
burning in the CRATE, and as Edgar buried his sll
pered feet in the comfortable rug, and opened Il
last number of Blackwood's Magazine, to read
Emily, the thought struck him, that it might
possible for him to spend one evening pleasantly
home.
Emily face was radiant with happiness, as 81
listened gazing upon the manly features of Ii
u,baud, whom she loved so we'll.
Dear Egir," she said, when he paused to S
the CRATE, you are so good 10 stay with me ii
evening You make me very happy indeed!'
"DO :"
Mr.. Sumner kissed his companion uffsctionatel