Democratic banner., 1851-06-18
"UElrrD We SrAnD-D1v1DED We FALL.'

be murmured; "but said j. has
.ily. She should not have gone for that. -
81 demonstrated with her." said Emily.
sBut you know her spirit. She would not
'tsy, although she loves me, and knows how
much need her." 3.
Edgar appeared very much amazed. But
It seemed that nothing indeed could make
him long thoughtful Of his wife's comfart.- =
After dinner, he went of whistiings PSpu.
lar air, and returned not until dark. . =.
The domestic hsd laid the cloth, ssa Ed.
gar and Emily sat down to the ets6issogeti..
sr. It was then that the vacant seat, which
Ellen he'd always occupied, drew his stssn-
lion, and occasioned psng Of remorse,
perhaps.
It was cold evening, but there wss q
warm fire burning IN the CRATE, and - Ed
gar buried his slippersd fest in the COM
Portable rug, snd opened the last number Of
Magazine, to read to Emily,
the thought struck him, that it might be
possible for him to spend one evening pleas
antly at home.
Emily's face was radiant with happiness,
as she listened, gazing upon the manly fsa-
lures of her husband, wnom she loved 50
well.
"Dear Edgar" she said, when he paused
to stir the CRATE, "you are so good to stay
with me this evening! You make me very
happy indeed"
"Do II"
Mr.. Sumner kissed his companion affsc-
tienately, and resumed his reading. Atthat
moment an approving voice within made
him glad that be had not spoken of going
out.
An hour passed-Edgar became weary Of
reading, and laying aside his book, added
fresh fuel to the fire. Then, notwithstand.
ing the presence Of Emily, who sndsavoret
to smuse him, he sat gszing thoughtfully a
the fantastic blue flames which crept ovel
the dark Goals in the CRATE, growing bright.
er and brighter, As they cracked, redden'
ed, and began to burn.
Wretcbed mani He coaA not conten
himself at home with the wife whom be Low.
ed. even for one short evening; old habit!
were imperative, old associations shut ou
from his heart the comforts ofhome, and al'
ready the powerful thirst for excitement
rendered him impatient to join his compsn'
ions.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"A few minutes past nine" answered
Emily. Five minutes elapsed. Edgar pa
ced to and fro unessily.
"Emily," said he. at least, 81 believe
must 60 out for few minutes. You'd bet
ter not sit up for me, although I shall b.
back soon."
Emily affsctionstely urged him not to 20
but he persisted, declaring that he woult
not be gone an hour. She said NO more
and Edgar hurried away.
Emily retired, sick st heart, and wearist
Of existence. She slept not, but As tn.
neavy hours rolled BY she listened for Che
returning footsteps Of her husband, praying
heaven for strength to suffer, and pow er t
win Edgar from bis habits of dissipation.
At midnight, she heard footsteps in the 81
lent street. They mounted the granite
steps, and then the well known sound o
Edgar's latch key was heard. Edgar ha,
como at last, excited with drink, as Emil,
had feared. In her agony of spirit, sh,
neither spoke nor moved, and her husband
thought she slept.
Again, on the following night, Edgar for
sock his wife for the society Of his viciou
companions, and from that time his cours,
was downward still, and Emily, during th,
cold and melancholy nights, was left .
lone. # p
Strange, that Edgar saw not how fast sh
failed, and how the light of her eyes wa
waxing dim, and how her lips were bscom
ing thinner and paler, with an expression
of settled grief.
1t was now no unusual circumstance 70
Edgar to return home in state ofintoxica
tion; which belied his oft repeated boast o
being q moderate drinker. Frequently h
Ieeled upon the Threshold, and exbibite'
signs ofshocking inebriety on bis return I
his patient but suffering wife.
On one occasion, Edgar staggered int
the door at midnight. Ifwss stormy Feb
ruary night, and his garments were cover
sd with sleet and frozen rain; but In forget
fulness which wine had wrought, he ha
left at the scene of his debauchsries, bot
his umberells and his surtout. Even til
cold storm had not sobered him; but b
was sobered soon! '''
A strange spectacle met bis eyes: innu
Vnarah HE fo "a, "A n, yn1ncy hafnra hi,