Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-06-06
Ghairf Iitfratarf.
THE PROOF. OR
BLANCHE BUEL, THE Wire OF A SoN-oF
TEMPERANCE.

The silent hous of night waxed and waned
while the lonely wife sat bending over the ex-
piring fire, listening to the dull tickings Of
the clock, while cold December blast swept
without, driving the rain and sleet furiously
against the windows. The domestics had re-
tired hours before, and alone, in that dimly
lighted, richly furnished room, sat the lone
wife, while ever and anon tears would course
down her cheeks while she listened for the
well known sound of her husbands foot
steps,
No, no, at length she murmured, he
comes not. Midnight has gone by and still
he tarrics. Surely some mishap detains
him.
Suspense longer to the wife was agony, and
summOning a servant, bade him prepare to
accompany her. They were nearly ready for
her departure when knock arrested her at
tention. Feeling certain it was bearer Of
news from her husband, she hastily opened
the door, when gentleman handed her an
unsealed note and disappeared. Itran some
what as follows
'DEAR WIFR:--I am unexpectedly called
upon. this evening by the Order to which
belong, to watch by the sick bed Of broth
er, and hope my absence will cause you no
anxiety. HARVEY
Her tone and manner was at once chang
ed. so this accounts for it I she exclaimed.
Some secret society enforces its commands.
and be must not disObey. / was prepared
for almost any thing except a secret society
that is forever keeping man from his family,
and that too under the garb of my brother
is In distress | will be obstinate once
will accuse him even Of perGidy and neglect
to me in thus absenting himself A few
months ago and his time was spent princi-
pally at home, and no evening detained him
from me. Ihave noticed neglect of late,
and ! will Here paroxysm Of tears
prevented utterance
For moment let me 60 back to the for
mer history Of the wife of Harvey Herbert.
Blanche Buel was an orphan, but if kind
ness and attention and care to every want,
no matter how trivial, or caresses of love and
fondness can gil the void occasioned by pa
rents death. it surely was with her, for q
ehildless uncle bad manifested great inter
est in her. He had loved her with par
ent's fervor, and had taken her in childhood
rearing her in every indulgence, and lavishiny
with free band every childish fancy. Thu
petted and spoiled by over indulgence, hav
ing no restraint thrown around her, she hat
grown to wilful woman. At eighteen shl
had budded into womanhood-her form o
symmetry, her crimson cheek, and her deel
dark eyes, shaded by long lashes, soft AM
clear as the ray Of some far off star. He
raven tresses fell around her snowy neck i
luxuriant beauty. Nor was this all; for fror
her parents she inherited large fortune
vet She possessed no foolish aristoeratic prir
ciples Of grandeur and glory neither di
her beauty make her vain, fastidious, Q
proud. All that was lacking to make Blaneh
Buel noble woman was teaching in be
younger days. Her fault was wilfulnei
and aprecipitaney Of mind. But havin
grown up without woman's instruction, wit
out the teaching which women should r
eeiye to it them for the sphere Of life allo
led theul-With an unframed mind and
heart untaught, she had grown to woma
hood. She loved Harry Herbert with all Il
hrdor Of her youthful heart, and with +
thought for the future, save that it was b
duty to render her happy, she became
bride.
Harvey Herbert was young merchant
kWenty-tBo. His appearance was noble a
commanding. He was kind and genero
% fault, and be had grown up loved a
respected by all who knew him. He h
met Blanche Buel, and her childish grs
and simplicity won him. He was me
Der Of a secret Order, whose aim was a
now Is 70 promulgate the principles If Lo'
Purity and Fidelity. OF this however,
wife knew nothing until, several months
ter their marriage, he was notified one e.
ming that a sick brother required his att
ton, Eyer ready to the call Of his distres.
brothers, he hastened to the sick bed-fi
apd.unta late hour thought his wife wo,
not be alarmed al his absence, but upon
- aection he dispatched note 10 her Stat
fhe reason Ofhis absence. His reasons b,
ever did not seem to satisfy his wife.
The morning succeeding the opcning
kour story came, and HarvSy Herbert sou q
his home, little suspectiA .sa feproac
that awaited him, for be had sstceIv en-
ed the dwelling when his wife met him.
ce working with contending emotion
So, Mr. Herbert, you are membel
some secret Order which requires Of
whole nights" commenced his wife.