The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-01-15

"Ohi but you will not divide me fror
my child7"
"Hear me, Lucy; when that child wa
born, formed a resolution. 1t was, fhs
If ever you struck her in fit of passion,
would take her from you. You shall NO
spoil my child. have done my duty, an,
prayers and tears cannot move me-"
Sohucy pleaded in vain. ss....s.
Fre,n this time, the intercourse OF VIII
liam With Mrs. Mowbray. was Of the mos
cold and formal nature. lie became stern
thoughtful, reserved; she petulant, unhap
py, and more than ever subject to fits o
passion.
What William had done with little Lucy
no one could imagine. Mrs. Mowbray
was untring in her search for the absent
child, but her efforts we're OF no avail
About once a month, William left town
and was gone three or four days at time;
and Lucy heard that on those occasions
he went 10 see his daughter.
One morning, from some trivial cause,
Mrs. Mowbray gave way to another fit Of
passion, in the presence Of her husband.
William demonstrated with her. and her
anger was aroused against him. After
indulging in much unwomanly abuse,
Lucy exclaimed
II won't be tyrannized over any longer.
It's no use giving up to you, and it. have
fits Of passion IT'S because have cause
You've carried off my child, and now
will 90 away too!''
William had said nothing, until Lucy
had thrown on her bonnet and shawl, and
was moving towards the door.
".Mrs. Mowbray," then said her hus-
band. severely, "you are doing that which
you will be sorry for"
'.Sorry or not, will 60 home to my
fatherI' cried Lucy. with flashing eyes.
mo, you cannot go now" replied Will
liam, calmly; swat until your fit of pas
sion is passed, and then if you wish to
leave me, go. But not now, Lucy"
Il wiH 60 in spite Of you!" and Lucy
pushed forward. William stood between
her and the hall door. She was furious;
he, calm and sorrowfol.
This is too much!" shrieked Mrs. Now.
bray. "But if you are determined to op.
pose me, take the consequences"
And for the first time in her life Lucy
struck her husband in the face.
William became 'deathly pale. lie
stepped aside, and bowed his head sor-
rowiully. As he spoke, his whole frame
quiyered, and his deep voice was broken
Jy the heaving Of his torn heart.
al will not oppose you. Go home to
your father, if you will. But if you 60,
farewell forever!'
Without appearing to notice the deep
meaning OF these words, Lucy flew past
her humilated husband. and passed his
threshhold.
In an hour, Mrs. Mowbray was under
her fathers roof.
BY this time, however, her rage had
sui sided in great measure, and she felt
ashamed of the steps she had taken. But
she remembered that she had struck her
husband, and dared not 60 back to him
that night.
On the following day. although dying
with remorse and wretchedness, Lucy
still dreaded to return, and pleaded an
excuse to pass another night with her
friends.
The next morning she said to herself
'Ht remain absent still another day,
William will become alarmed; he will
forgive me, he will come and entreat me
TO come home" ..H
But as William did not come, Lucy felt
her pride fail her. Humbled, trembling,
remorseful, on the evening of the third
,lay of her absence, she set out TO return
TO her husband
lie has forgiven me a thousand times"
she said TO herself, whenever her courage
failed her, sand surely he will forgive me
once more"
With crushing sensations of dread, Lu-
cy approached his house. In the dusky
light of the declining day, it looked dreary
and forbidding. Thrice she passed the
door, and then she repassed it, dreadful
ferebodings Of evil filling her excited
BRAIN At length, resolution prevailed
over her terrors, and she assembled the
steps.
with trembling hand. Lucy turned
hcr latch-key. but the door would not
come open Then she hesitated, trem-
bling still. last she summoned courage.
and timidly rang the bell. Her heart
seemed to stop beating, while she listened
for footsteps in the hall. But there was
no sound The wretched woman clung
TO the door to keep from falling.
At that moment, young lad crossed
from the opposite side of the street, and I
l,oking up good naturedly at Mrs. Now
bray. cried out
"Ye won't find nobody there. The
folks are adj gone away, and the house is
10 let" eJ
Poor Lucy! This was dea,h-blow to
her hopes Her heart stopped beating,
and she sank upon the cold slabs; and
moment after, the blood rushed into her
brain tempestuously. and her eyeballs