Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-03-13
From Arhur's Home Casette.
THE WORST EN- e MY.-A TRUE SKETCH

MIN as pattern OF manly vlrtuesS oanets
betrayed dark spots on his heart and prone
ness to lamentable vices.
The truth is this; Edgar was naturally
upright. generous, kind-hearted-all that
is admirable in a man. But he had early
contracted the pernicious habit Of indulg-
ing in an occasional social glass. The ha-
bit, as is nearly always the case,grew up
on him, and became his master. Dissipa-
ton deadened his better feelings, and he
became careless Of the happiness Of 9TH
ers. His pleasures absorbed his attention,
his truest friends were neglected and his
business suffered. Yet nobody called Mr.
Edgar Sumner drunkard, for he-never
reeled in the street, and his excellent con-
stitution resisted well the train of physi-
cal evils upon moderate drinking.
Now Edgar had wife, to whom he had
been married but few months, and whom
he tenderly loved. Emily was patient,
amiable woman, well worthy the affections
! of a noble hearted husband. And she
loved Edgar with all the strength Of her
warm and devoted nature. Singular as it
may appear, Edgar loving Emily as he
did, could not give up his "social pleas
ures," as he termed them, even for her.
"My dear Emily" he would say, "you
know how we'll | love yon; but you can
not expect me to remain with you at home,
| Men of business must have recreations in
which their wives cannot participate
Do YOU understand me, dear %
Emily invariably replied that she sup.
posed all this was natural and right, al the
same time, declaring that, much as she
loved Edgar's society, and regretted hi:
absence, she would not, for any consider.
alton, deprive him of his separate pleas
ures. Then Edgar would kiss his wifi,
an affectionate adieu, and hurry way t.
meet his boon companions never dreaming
that he took poor Emily's heart with him
and that during all the dreary hours o
his absence, she wept for his neglect.
A year passed thus. Emily naturally
feeble, became languid, melancholy, pale
She suffered much, but as she never com
planned, Edgar scarcely ever thought o
her failing health. AT all events, he new
er suspected the cause.
For one thing, Emily had always fei
grateful; dis>ipated as her husband hat
become, he always attended church will
her on the Sabbath. But at length sh'
became too feeble to go out, except in TIT
miIdest weather /; and now new trial wa
added 10 her sufferings.
One c.ld and gusty Sabbath morning il
November, Emily had concluded to sta.
At home, and anticipated much pleasure il
having the soc;e4y Of Edgar during III
day. Her bright anticipatiors, however
were dissipated, and her susceptible hear
was deeply wounded, when she saw he
husband making preparations for going out
As she knew he never went to churcl
without her, she said timidly-
care you going TO leave me to-day P
81 thought l would ,ake4a walk, ant
call on Nj Bruce, or Charley Waters
.. am not accustomed to staying in the hous
all day."
Emily. eye. gli.tened, and she sighe'
,, as she turned away her face.
After q pause, she said
|, II hoped you would stay with me to
, day. am always very lonely withou
!, you-bu: to. day shall miss you so much!
"Oh shall be back presently" replie
Edgar in careless tone, land you mus
make Ellen read to you while lam gone.
As Edgar kissed his wife good by. q
, was his wont, he did not observe that he
lips quivered, and that her cheek was cole
and when he was gone, he did not kno,
that she was shedding tears Of sorro,
over his neglect.
Indeed, we may suppose that he forge
: her quite for he did not come home
dine ; the tea was served, and the unhaI
py wife, after delaying long, in hopes I
> his return, slipped her cup, and ate her b
of toast without him and then the chi
; and gloomy night came on, and Edgar wa
: still away.
The long and cheerless evening wor
;, ), on, and notwithstanding the kind after
: ,ions Of her sister Ellen, who was he
companion, Emily fel: no happiness I'M Il
:, present, and saw no hope in the future.
! At length Edgar returned, and from h
: manner Emily plainly saw that he hs
been indulging in the pleasures of tt
;, wine cup. He was very gay, and viii
his unhappy wife regarded him with teal
full eyes, he earnestly declared that he ha
. come home early for no other reason tina
to have game OF whist with Emily ar
her sister! Too much agitated to speal
Mrs Sumner only sighed, and brushe
!. away her tears in silence, while Ellen n
i minded Edgar that the Sabbath had n
5 yet passed.
. "True!' he exclaimed-sI had forgo
d ten. And besides that, there are onl
e three of us. But we should do somethir
: for amusement, girls, what shall it be
S s'If you wish for amusement tonight,
n said Ellen, severely--she was a fran
e sensible girl, of eighteen but sometime
n too hasty in her remarks eff you wis
y for amusement tonight, Mr. Sumner, yo
! had better 60 away again. Emily is vel
e unwell, and your neglect and carelessne'
) are killing her,"
o "Hush!" gasped Emily, show cou
v you speak so, Ellen!' p
:: 'Because it is the truth!''
II sBecause it is leland because a
II not master in my own house !" thunders
r Edgar, angrily. "You are an impude
J. jade, Miss, and if you come her to crea
d misunderstanding between me and Emil
: you will do well to go home again as soe