Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-25

FaunyE Ii you have not, read 1t care.
fully, and think you will agree with
me, that no strictly conscientious man
would ever drink after once taking it."
Fanny looked quite serious, and re-
piled in saddened tone: THANK you
dear Mary, for your kind solicitude. l
had never viewed the matter in this
light. You have convinced me that
Beverly acted without reflection, and
will talk to him about it, when l have
the right to do SO, and try and persuade
him to rejoin."
"Do, dear Fanny, urge him to join
again, know he will not refuse your re-
quest, if you will make it at a proper
time and in proper manner. All, my
dear cousin you know not how much
happier l feel, since you have made me
the promise. So, now, goodbye; and
do not forget to do so as soon as you are
Mrs. Byrnham.
Some six weeks after the foregoing
conversation, Fanny and Mary were
both married on the same day to the
chosen of their hearts. All things look
ed bright about them the sun seemed
to shine only for them; and as the
marriages were in what is called high
| life,' party followed party in rapid sucres-
sion. The sparkling wine flowed bright
and free, and Beverly Byrnham partook
more than usual of the insidtons poison.
Fanny, in the joy of her heart, forgot
her promise, and not only neglected to-
expostulate with her husband, but even
encouraged him by participating in the
sccursed vice. All, poor girl, you know
not what an abyss Of ruin you are nigh
an abyss ready to swallow up the bright
ness of your Joy, to blight and wither
the last lingering ray ofhope, and finally
bring you with crushing sorrow to an
early grave. But as we promised our
story should be short one, let me haste
: to the conclusion. Darlton and Byrn-
, ham were both doing AourishiDg busi-
: ness, as merchants, and only for the
: difference (of one being firm Son of
Temperance. the other daily wine
! drinker) their prospects for success
would have been about equal. While
4 Darlton gave his undivided attention to
: his store and domestic affairs, Byrnham
e divided his time between business and
social acine parties. His fondness for
S parties and wine grew upon him to such
6 AN extent that he daily neglected his
0 business and was not unfrequently alb
y sent from Fanny and his freside until
o late at night, and this, too, before they
had been married more than one
g short year. This opened Fanny's eyes
y to the approaching storm that was gath.
y ering thick and fast over her head; and
e she sought to ward it off by kind expla
d nation. But alas unfortunate woman
she had delayed the exercise Of her in
d fluence too long; Byrnham would only
lie laugh at her fears, call her foolish little
thing and invite her to take a glass o
ID wine, assuring her there was no DANCE
n of his ever becoming drunkard, thougI
r he did sometimes get little merry
Thus things progressed from bad +
w worse, till at the expiration of FIVE year
ce the handsome, witty, fascinating, courtel
Beverly Bryhham, sunk to the level Q
n brute, and was daily seen wallowin
e in the filth of intoxication. His wealt
gradually faded away. sothat when an
Du other year had passed, his fine store
's, dwelling house, furniture, and even hi
II wife's lewelry-all were sacrificed tohi
Ag insatiate thirst for the dark beverage {
is he'll. Reader, gowilh me, if you pleass
TO yon miserable hovel in the suburb
of the great city; push open the half de
ht cayed door. What do you see?
on lwretcEed female clothed in the squal
= i'd rags of poverty, with an emaciate
he infant clinging to her attenuated breast
bis moaning piteously for the snstenanc
= she cannot afford.
nat This, dear reader, is Fanny--th
he Fanny who but few years back boz
Is, Of all that was lovely and attractive
ex- woman Behold her now witheringin
ec- THE grave ere yet she has reached Il
to meridian of life. And yet, beautifr
me holy, unaccountable love! she clin.
with death grasp to the destroyer
lrk her peace As the ivy to the strick,
lch oak that will ere long fall upon and cru
zen it, SO the wretched Fanny clngs to hi
ing upon whom she lavished her unfathom
ing BILE love.
ing But see--some one enters this abo
he of misery. and there glides another. b
his man form, but does not enter. w
be are they? The one who has gone in
for General Montressor, Fanny's father.
, Of The other, Byrnham, returned home s.
he icIently sober not to disturb the me
uch ing between his heart broken wife a
ege her father Hark what does the fa
So er say to his daughter? He tells |
am he has come once more to offer
ith- and her babe the protection of his r
e of and fafherly care, if she will but agI
} to TO give up her worthless husband
the What is her reply9 Do not, oh!
e he father, do not ask me to give him.up
5 al | can't he is the father Of my chi
Mr.. | still love him, | still hope he will