Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-07

with her generous and ardent lover. as
they wandered in the pale moonlight
beside the silvery lake that girt her child {
hood's name. and the merry gambols a
long the bubbling riIls gathering wild
flowers to please him she loved, and the
sweet evenings she had sat with him a. '
round her fathers 6reside, where she
had given away her heart and hand, all
fitted before her. and for moment she
was rejoicing again over the memory Of
the past, before intemperance had trans
formed her noble husband, the comfort
and hope of her youth, into brutal de-
mon-for a minute she was in her own
home, when she was in health and sur
rounded with health and friends, where
all was as bright and happy as her then
Joyous heart. All his cruelty Was buried
and forgotten, and she looked upon him
as the devoted. whole-sonled lover and
husband Of those happy days. Oh biest.
ecstatic moment! She twined ner Ian
guild arms around the repentant's neck,
and sobbed and wePt, overPowered with
Joy.
obi Heaven forgive me- OH my
wife, my Oriana. can you forgive such a
wretch, such demon as | have been
God forgive me, or annihilate my spirit
to expirate its blood--its guilt--its crimesP
/ 1t is sin against Heaven, Augustus,
said the good woman, to make such a
wisli-you have my forgiveness freely
given, my husband, and my ardent pray
, ers thai God may forgive you teo-pray
! for il my husband with all the energies
, of your soul.'
( That mans actions through life now
$ stood in bold relief before him, and the
a torture Of his soul was continual, ike a
e fearful storm of agony, where
"Wind warrcd with wind, storm
: Tostorm and lightning fork d lightning crossd.
:, : Ny husband resumed the dying wife,
have long expected this ncinent-I
! have praye for til have thought when
: | was dying you would listen 10 me a.
! bout our only child
OIL Heaven forget and forgive my
i cruelty to him. prayed the miserable
= wretch
:. Augustus. am now dying; ] shall
4 soon be where sorrows never come-l
i have wish to say great deal to you
4 but see my breath is growing shorter,
. . and she lay still, gasping in death fol
. some minutes.
:. .Oh my angel wife, do not-yol
!. = viii not die said the man, and he rub
q bed her temples with the camphoF, Oh
- Oriana, live vet longer and reclaim you
!, ! husband swear by earth, sea ant
!. = skies WILL reforml
= The briny tears Of sympathy, love AM
= hope gathered in her CLASSY eyes, sh'
family whispered. it cannot be- AM
she slipped her attenuated hand in hi
= aud seemed TO sleep calmly and peace
- fully. He presented that cold, siiffen
~ ~ ing hand, and begged her TO live for hi
- ', sake.
- Can this be death9' it must be death
~ said the dying Christian. yes, my hus
p band am surely dying, and God know
| have pra, ed for this moment ;-some
" thing has taught me that when this dar
ns end of our pilgrimage together came
~ you would resolve upon reformation {
us your rulnous course. and | thank HeaN
~ en- il has proved true. | am thankful
." know you cherish the feelings for m
20 that you did when we were happy in III
'se enjoyment OF our youthful love. hav
prayed that you might have made II
The good resolve sooner then there woul
Ick have been, perhaps, few more years
her happiness on earth for me, but shall eI
The Joy my fill of bliss in those bright realu
me Of glory that see The will Of Go
er is now my will. am sinking very ia
her II feel the chill of death creeping {
18th me. Where is my dear little boy I'm
the Charlesl Give me your hand Charlie,
My Overwhelmed with grief the child plac
It's bis tiny hand in the hand of his dying n
ther She placed it within her husband
en- hand, trembling as it was, and said
did Blood of your own blood-fesh of Z
Tor flesh, Augustus, for this precious charge
hts only wish to live! Promise a dying "
ted and mother that you will rear him, 10
fell him, keep him-that when am gone y
With will watch over bis tender mind, and ne,
On teach him by your'precept or example,
vile fatal path to drunkard's grave.
out By high heaven promise you faithf
nee w. sobbed the contrite husband.
sak, Be good child Charles, and love u
re- papa as you have loved me, your moth
He who is about to leave you
and
loud The beams of the morning sun had
pirit vet penetrated the dark chamber of the
tch. ing-aIl was solemn and quiet in that sil
min room. save the heavy gasp of her, VII
mis- frail barque trembled mid the surfs of e
few nity. the mournful sobbing Of husband !
} an SON, and the ceaseless tick, tick of the {
rain on the wet floor. The husband
we'd, child gazed on the angelic face-her we
id a ewes ~ were closed-her pallid lips mo
Isted eiowlv-was Il prayer! She gave sIi
o al strno0le and opened her death-like eyes